Owners have filed 490 complaints
about the 1994 GMC Suburban with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 94
Against the median year of the GMC Suburban. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 97
18.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 18
11% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
210.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
210.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
315.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
736.8%
150,000+ miles
526.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 23May 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 GMC Suburban
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
1
investigation is
still open.
DP00001Opened 31 Jan 2000Still openEQUIPMENT
OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING
THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
EA02006Opened 31 May 2002Closed 23 Jul 2003VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2003064323,584 units in Canada
Other
Certain vehicles (not involved in recall 98-150), may experience a windshield wiper failure due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. If this were to occur in a severe weather situation, driver's visibility could be reduced, which could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning. Correction: Dealer will replace defective wiper motor until 7 years or 112 000 km from date vehicle was originally placed into service or for those vehicles currently outside of this coverage, until March 31 2004.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 161,528 milesBrooksville, FLFire
TIRES
TIRE SEPARATION CAUSING BUBBLE IN TIRE /CAUSING SHAKING / PULLING SEVERELY TO RIGHT SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10226474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,528 milesBrooksville, FLFire
TIRES
TIRE WOBBLE/ NO SEPARATION YET CAN FEEL IT PULLING / DID WAIT FOR THIS ONE TO BUBBLE UP AND SEPARATE WASN'T GOING TO WAIT ANOTHER 3 WEEKS FOR AN ACCIDENT POSSIBLY FATAL TO HAPPEN HAD THIS LAST REMAINING ONE REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10226477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Terrace, 00Fire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. CONTACTED GM, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10130477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesHampden, MACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1994 GMC SUBURBAN. WHEN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT BE SHUTOFF BY HITTING BRAKES. IF SWITCH FAILS, HITTING BRAKES WILL SLOW VECHILE, BUT CRUISE CONTROL WILL GIVE IT MORE GAS. DATE OF INITIAL ACCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE SINCE I DO NOT HAVE PAPERS WITH ME. SWITCH HAS FAILED TWICE SINCE THAT AND WAS FAILED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10057147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waverly, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
FRONT WIPER MOTOR STALLED DURING RAINSTORM, TRAVELLING 55MPH ON MAJOR HIGHWAY. WIPER AND WIPER FLUID MOTOR QUIT UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE IN OPERATION OR WHILE STOPPED. SOMETIMES A BUZZING SOUND OCCURS WITH THE FAILURE. I DISCOVERED THAT I CAN TAP THE WIPER MOTOR MODULE AND THE WIPER MOTOR MAY BEGIN AGAIN, BUT ITS WORK WILL BE SHORTLIVED. ANOTHER PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS VEHICLE WAS A MELTDOWN AND SMALL FIRE UNDER THE DRIVERSIDE DASH. THE ROCKER SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE DOME LIGHT HAS AN "AUTO" AND AN "OFF" POSITION. WHILE IN "AUTO" FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR WITH THE DOORS OPEN, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH AND THE ROCKER SWITCH HAD MELTED DOWN DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDING UP IN THE CONTACT. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER WHEN I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT SWITCH WHO COMMENTED THAT THESE SWITCHES WERE A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #757286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waverly, GAFire
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
FRONT WIPER MOTOR STALLED DURING RAINSTORM, TRAVELLING 55MPH ON MAJOR HIGHWAY. WIPER AND WIPER FLUID MOTOR QUIT UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE IN OPERATION OR WHILE STOPPED. SOMETIMES A BUZZING SOUND OCCURS WITH THE FAILURE. I DISCOVERED THAT I CAN TAP THE WIPER MOTOR MODULE AND THE WIPER MOTOR MAY BEGIN AGAIN, BUT ITS WORK WILL BE SHORTLIVED. ANOTHER PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS VEHICLE WAS A MELTDOWN AND SMALL FIRE UNDER THE DRIVERSIDE DASH. THE ROCKER SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE DOME LIGHT HAS AN "AUTO" AND AN "OFF" POSITION. WHILE IN "AUTO" FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR WITH THE DOORS OPEN, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH AND THE ROCKER SWITCH HAD MELTED DOWN DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDING UP IN THE CONTACT. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER WHEN I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT SWITCH WHO COMMENTED THAT THESE SWITCHES WERE A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #757286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 162,528 milesBrooksville, FL
TIRES
TREAD / TIRE SEPARATION BIG BUBBLE IN TIRE SEVERE SHAKING / SEVERE PULLING THOUGHT MY TRUCK NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT VERY VERY VERY BAD.
NHTSA complaint #10226476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 161,528 milesBrooksville, FLFire
TIRES
TIRE SEPARATION CAUSING BUBBLE IN TIRE /CAUSING SHAKING / PULLING SEVERELY TO RIGHT SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10226474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,880 milesBrooksville, FL
TIRES
TIRES SEPARATING CAUSING MAJOR BUBBLE AND PULLING AS WELL AS SHAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10226470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,528 milesBrooksville, FLFire
TIRES
TIRE WOBBLE/ NO SEPARATION YET CAN FEEL IT PULLING / DID WAIT FOR THIS ONE TO BUBBLE UP AND SEPARATE WASN'T GOING TO WAIT ANOTHER 3 WEEKS FOR AN ACCIDENT POSSIBLY FATAL TO HAPPEN HAD THIS LAST REMAINING ONE REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10226477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesHowe, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED AFTER BEING MANUALLY "HELPED" SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE, BUT NO LONGER. WHEN I CONTACTED GMC, THEY TOLD ME THE CURRENT RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I HAVE PURCHASED THE CIRCUIT BOARD MYSELF AND WILL NOW NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE INSTALL IT. RECALL NEEDS TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL VIN #'S. I WAS TOLD BY THE GMC TOLL FREE NUMBER THAT IT WAS NOT A "SAFETY" ISSUE, SORRY.
NHTSA complaint #10160030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coatesville, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON I ENCOUNTERED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON TWO OCCASIONS ONCE WHILE THE UNIT WAS ACTIVATED AND ONCE WHILE IT WAS NOT.
NHTSA complaint #10146246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,300 milesVancouver, WA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. GM REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V150001 STATING RECALL VOIDED AFTER 70,000 MILES. I GUESS THE BARD TURNS "GOOD" AFTER REACHING THE MILEAGE?
NHTSA complaint #10139815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Terrace, 00Fire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. CONTACTED GM, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10130477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMonroe, NC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN TURNED WILL INTERMITTENTLY COME ON AND OFF. SOMETIMES IT HAS TO BE DONE MANUALLY, AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, BUT OCCASIONALLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP IN THE MIDDLE. DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THEN, RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER RECALL DUE TO T VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10127018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bradenton, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE OWNS A 1994 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. THEY ARE PERFORMING POORLY. THERE ARE ABS BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE, AND THIS VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS EVER SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. HE HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT IT WOULDN'T LAST VERY LONG. THE PROBLEM WOULD CONTINUE TO COME BACK. ALSO, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10121704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bradenton, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE OWNS A 1994 GMC SUBURBAN. HE STATES THAT HE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER MOTOR BECAUSE IT IS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON SOME GMC VEHICLES, BUT THE MANUFACTURER TOLD HIM THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUETO VIN. THE PROBLEM STARTED INTERMITTENTLY AND IT BECAME WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #10121701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesLudlow, MA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
DT : WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL PREVIOUS RECALLS IN 1998 AND 2003 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. GMC HOTLINE SAID THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL. *AK *SB
NHTSA complaint #10120062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesMonsey, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE CAR WAS IN PARKING LOT AND MOVING SLOWLY BALL JOINTS REPLACED BY GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10108353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesSanta Clarita, CA
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
PAINT FLAKING. I SHOWED IT TO SERVICE DEPT, THEY SAID GM WOULD NOT REPAIR
NHTSA complaint #10069321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eads, TN
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DIESEL K2500 SUBURBAN. INJECTION PUMP SUFFERED A PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT FUEL CUTOUT. SOLUTION WAS REPLACEMENT OF INJECTION PUMP. REPEATED DEALER ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE EXACT PROBLEM WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. SEAT MOUNT FAILED. THIS CAUSED SEAT TO TILT ON BASE & TORQUE REMAINING MOUNTS. THE WIPER MOTOR CUT OUT AT RANDOM. GM ACKNOWLEDGES THIS PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT FOR MINE. THIS WOULD CAUSE FAILURE OF MOTOR FUNCTIONS (IN MY CASE, THE WIPER WOULD NOT START IF PARKED, BUT WOULD START IF PULLED OUT OF PARK POSITION). BRAKES ARE THE MOST INTERESTING PROBLEM. WHILE THERE MAY INDEED BE A PROBLEM WITH PEDAL SUDDENLY GOING TO THE FLOOR I THINK THE ACTUAL SITUATION IN MOST OF THOSE CASES MAY ACTUALLY BE AS FOLLOWS. I HAD TO BRAKE FAIRLY HARD IN UNEXPECTED TRAFFIC, AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FIRED. I WAS MOVING NOT FASTER THAN ABOUT 50 MPH AT THE TIME, BUT IT TOOK (MEASURED) 642 FEET TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AT NO TIME DID I RELEASE THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. DURING THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO STEER QUITE SUCCESSFULLY AROUND TWO STOPPED VEHICLES, AND TO RUN UP ON A GRASSY SHOULDER AND BACK ONTO THE PAVEMENT. I HAD THE FRONT BRAKES RELINED AND TRUED, AND THE FLUID FLUSHED AND REPLACED, AT A LOCAL SHOP SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED (WITH ABOUT 56,000 MILES). APPARENTLY, GM KNOWS THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO CYCLE THE ANTILOCK MOTOR SO THAT ALL THE PISTONS ARE AT THE RIGHT POSITION BEFORE BLEEDING THE BRAKES. IF THE BRAKES ARE BLED WITH THE MOTOR NOT CENTERED, THE EFFECT IS THAT FULL MODULATION OF THE BRAKES DOES NOT OCCUR, FOR SOME OR ALL WHEELS, WHEN THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM FIRES. HOWEVER, THE DUMP-VALVE FUNCTION RELIEVES ALL BRAKE PRESSURE WHILE THE MOTOR IS RUNNING. THE RESULT IS THAT ONLY PARTIAL BRAKE APPLICATION IS EFFECTIVELY BEING MADE -- THIS MIGHT BE ALMOST ANY ARBITRARY PERCENTAGE OF A 'NORMAL' FULL BRAKE APPLICATION -- AND THIS MAY GREATLY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF DECELERATION SEEN IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10070325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesSanta Clarita, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT FLAKING. I SHOWED IT TO SERVICE DEPT, THEY SAID GM WOULD NOT REPAIR
NHTSA complaint #10069321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eads, TN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DIESEL K2500 SUBURBAN. INJECTION PUMP SUFFERED A PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT FUEL CUTOUT. SOLUTION WAS REPLACEMENT OF INJECTION PUMP. REPEATED DEALER ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE EXACT PROBLEM WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. SEAT MOUNT FAILED. THIS CAUSED SEAT TO TILT ON BASE & TORQUE REMAINING MOUNTS. THE WIPER MOTOR CUT OUT AT RANDOM. GM ACKNOWLEDGES THIS PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT FOR MINE. THIS WOULD CAUSE FAILURE OF MOTOR FUNCTIONS (IN MY CASE, THE WIPER WOULD NOT START IF PARKED, BUT WOULD START IF PULLED OUT OF PARK POSITION). BRAKES ARE THE MOST INTERESTING PROBLEM. WHILE THERE MAY INDEED BE A PROBLEM WITH PEDAL SUDDENLY GOING TO THE FLOOR I THINK THE ACTUAL SITUATION IN MOST OF THOSE CASES MAY ACTUALLY BE AS FOLLOWS. I HAD TO BRAKE FAIRLY HARD IN UNEXPECTED TRAFFIC, AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FIRED. I WAS MOVING NOT FASTER THAN ABOUT 50 MPH AT THE TIME, BUT IT TOOK (MEASURED) 642 FEET TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AT NO TIME DID I RELEASE THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. DURING THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO STEER QUITE SUCCESSFULLY AROUND TWO STOPPED VEHICLES, AND TO RUN UP ON A GRASSY SHOULDER AND BACK ONTO THE PAVEMENT. I HAD THE FRONT BRAKES RELINED AND TRUED, AND THE FLUID FLUSHED AND REPLACED, AT A LOCAL SHOP SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED (WITH ABOUT 56,000 MILES). APPARENTLY, GM KNOWS THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO CYCLE THE ANTILOCK MOTOR SO THAT ALL THE PISTONS ARE AT THE RIGHT POSITION BEFORE BLEEDING THE BRAKES. IF THE BRAKES ARE BLED WITH THE MOTOR NOT CENTERED, THE EFFECT IS THAT FULL MODULATION OF THE BRAKES DOES NOT OCCUR, FOR SOME OR ALL WHEELS, WHEN THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM FIRES. HOWEVER, THE DUMP-VALVE FUNCTION RELIEVES ALL BRAKE PRESSURE WHILE THE MOTOR IS RUNNING. THE RESULT IS THAT ONLY PARTIAL BRAKE APPLICATION IS EFFECTIVELY BEING MADE -- THIS MIGHT BE ALMOST ANY ARBITRARY PERCENTAGE OF A 'NORMAL' FULL BRAKE APPLICATION -- AND THIS MAY GREATLY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF DECELERATION SEEN IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10070325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eads, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DIESEL K2500 SUBURBAN. INJECTION PUMP SUFFERED A PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT FUEL CUTOUT. SOLUTION WAS REPLACEMENT OF INJECTION PUMP. REPEATED DEALER ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE EXACT PROBLEM WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. SEAT MOUNT FAILED. THIS CAUSED SEAT TO TILT ON BASE & TORQUE REMAINING MOUNTS. THE WIPER MOTOR CUT OUT AT RANDOM. GM ACKNOWLEDGES THIS PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT FOR MINE. THIS WOULD CAUSE FAILURE OF MOTOR FUNCTIONS (IN MY CASE, THE WIPER WOULD NOT START IF PARKED, BUT WOULD START IF PULLED OUT OF PARK POSITION). BRAKES ARE THE MOST INTERESTING PROBLEM. WHILE THERE MAY INDEED BE A PROBLEM WITH PEDAL SUDDENLY GOING TO THE FLOOR I THINK THE ACTUAL SITUATION IN MOST OF THOSE CASES MAY ACTUALLY BE AS FOLLOWS. I HAD TO BRAKE FAIRLY HARD IN UNEXPECTED TRAFFIC, AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FIRED. I WAS MOVING NOT FASTER THAN ABOUT 50 MPH AT THE TIME, BUT IT TOOK (MEASURED) 642 FEET TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AT NO TIME DID I RELEASE THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. DURING THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO STEER QUITE SUCCESSFULLY AROUND TWO STOPPED VEHICLES, AND TO RUN UP ON A GRASSY SHOULDER AND BACK ONTO THE PAVEMENT. I HAD THE FRONT BRAKES RELINED AND TRUED, AND THE FLUID FLUSHED AND REPLACED, AT A LOCAL SHOP SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED (WITH ABOUT 56,000 MILES). APPARENTLY, GM KNOWS THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO CYCLE THE ANTILOCK MOTOR SO THAT ALL THE PISTONS ARE AT THE RIGHT POSITION BEFORE BLEEDING THE BRAKES. IF THE BRAKES ARE BLED WITH THE MOTOR NOT CENTERED, THE EFFECT IS THAT FULL MODULATION OF THE BRAKES DOES NOT OCCUR, FOR SOME OR ALL WHEELS, WHEN THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM FIRES. HOWEVER, THE DUMP-VALVE FUNCTION RELIEVES ALL BRAKE PRESSURE WHILE THE MOTOR IS RUNNING. THE RESULT IS THAT ONLY PARTIAL BRAKE APPLICATION IS EFFECTIVELY BEING MADE -- THIS MIGHT BE ALMOST ANY ARBITRARY PERCENTAGE OF A 'NORMAL' FULL BRAKE APPLICATION -- AND THIS MAY GREATLY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF DECELERATION SEEN IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10070325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesRoanoke, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10061031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesHampden, MACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1994 GMC SUBURBAN. WHEN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT BE SHUTOFF BY HITTING BRAKES. IF SWITCH FAILS, HITTING BRAKES WILL SLOW VECHILE, BUT CRUISE CONTROL WILL GIVE IT MORE GAS. DATE OF INITIAL ACCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE SINCE I DO NOT HAVE PAPERS WITH ME. SWITCH HAS FAILED TWICE SINCE THAT AND WAS FAILED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10057147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,500 milesPittstown, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
HAD FAILURE OF BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES AND FUEL DELIVERY LINES/SENDING UNIT DUE TO HEAVILY RUSTED/RUPTURED METAL LINES. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURES WERE OBSERVED IN MY DRIVEWAY, LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TOWING TO THE LOCAL MECHANICS GARAGE.TOTAL COST OF REPAIR (ALL RUSTED LINES AND FUEL SENDING UNIT) AT LOCAL GARAGE WAS $875.00.
NHTSA complaint #10045570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,500 milesPittstown, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
HAD FAILURE OF BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES AND FUEL DELIVERY LINES/SENDING UNIT DUE TO HEAVILY RUSTED/RUPTURED METAL LINES. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURES WERE OBSERVED IN MY DRIVEWAY, LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TOWING TO THE LOCAL MECHANICS GARAGE.TOTAL COST OF REPAIR (ALL RUSTED LINES AND FUEL SENDING UNIT) AT LOCAL GARAGE WAS $875.00.
NHTSA complaint #10045570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parker, CO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHEN USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY WOULD STOP WORKING, BUT WIPER MOTOR WA STILL RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #10040063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Collins, CO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
CONSUMER NOTICED WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK CONSUMER WAS RETURNING HOME WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN. HE TURNED ON THE WIPERS BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. HE TRIED A SECOND TIME BUT TO NO AVAIL. CONSUMER LOST VISION OF THE ROAD AND HAD TO PULL OVER.
NHTSA complaint #10039930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Penfield, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. CAUSE OF FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10038246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.