FaultScore

1995 GMC Suburban electrical problems

21 of the 294 complaints about the 1995 GMC Suburban are about the electrical system — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 167,000 miles.

B

21

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

12V/24V/48V Battery 11 52.4%
Ignition 2 9.5%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 2 9.5%
Cables 2 9.5%
Wiring 1 4.8%
Module 1 4.8%
Starter Assembly 1 4.8%
Electrical System 1 4.8%

Electrical System across every GMC Suburban year

1994 12 10.2%
1995 21 17.8%
1996 21 17.8%
1997 24 20.3%
1998 17 14.4%
1999 23 19.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 167,000 miles Henderson, NV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

95 GMC SURBURBAN.

NHTSA complaint #10394224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Idaho Falls, ID

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

IGNITION SYSTEM FAILED TWICE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, AND REMAINS IN 2ND GEAR. THE SPEEDOMOTER DOESN'T WORK AND THE BRAKES LOCK UP. THE SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT ALSO GOES OUT. I CONTACTED TWO LOCAL GM DEALERS. BOTH MACHANICS KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG, AS THEY HAVE MANY COME IN LARELY WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY KNEW THE EXACT PRICE AND TIME IT TAKES TO PUT THE PART IN BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE SO MANY OF THEM LATELY. IN FACT, ONE OF THE MECHANICS REPLIED THAT HE IS SURPRISED THEY HAVEN'T RECALLED THIS PART YET. HE'S REPLACED SO MANY OF THEM.

NHTSA complaint #757323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterford, CT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY LEAKED DUE TO A TERMINAL CONNECTOR BOLT BEING TOO LARGE, CRACKING THE LEAD TERMINAL ON THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY LEAKED ACID AND LED TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND CORRODED THE WIRE CONNECTION IN THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY EVENTUALLY FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #553592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mullica Hill, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65MPH VEHICLE WILL JUST SHUT OFF, AND BRAKES/ STEERING LOCKED UP, TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE INJECTION PUMP FIVE TIMES, AND NOW THE PROBLEM WAS REOCCURRING AGAIN. *AK CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF POWER AND THE DEALER REPLACED INJECTION PUMP, MODULE ON THE PUMP, WASTE GATE MODULE BUT ALL WERE JUST BAD GUESS.

NHTSA complaint #871018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sanger, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

THE ABS SYSTEM HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM. ONE MORNING BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE AFTER IT HAD RAINED THE NIGHT BEFORE, I GENTLY BRAKED AND THE CAR MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND JERKED ABRUBTLY SCARING ALL OF US. IT SKIDDED ! UP AND DOWN THE DRIVEWAY I DID THIS AND IT JERKED AND SKIDDED! WE DECIDED IT WAS NOT SAFE. THE STORE CHECKED TIRES AND BRAKES. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN! THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING. THE DEALER CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT, WE'RE OK FOR A WHILE - 6 MOS. WITH A NEW BATTERY AND THEN WERE STRANDED SOMEWHERE CAUSE ITS DIED. WE JUST HAD THE RADIO REPLACED BECAUSE THEY SAID IT HAD A SHORT,WELL IT WAS OUT OF THE CAR AND IT DIED AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR IT DIED YESTERDAY! PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA complaint #730080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sanger, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

THE ABS SYSTEM HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM. ONE MORNING BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE AFTER IT HAD RAINED THE NIGHT BEFORE, I GENTLY BRAKED AND THE CAR MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND JERKED ABRUBTLY SCARING ALL OF US. IT SKIDDED ! UP AND DOWN THE DRIVEWAY I DID THIS AND IT JERKED AND SKIDDED! WE DECIDED IT WAS NOT SAFE. THE STORE CHECKED TIRES AND BRAKES. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN! THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING. THE DEALER CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT, WE'RE OK FOR A WHILE - 6 MOS. WITH A NEW BATTERY AND THEN WERE STRANDED SOMEWHERE CAUSE ITS DIED. WE JUST HAD THE RADIO REPLACED BECAUSE THEY SAID IT HAD A SHORT,WELL IT WAS OUT OF THE CAR AND IT DIED AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR IT DIED YESTERDAY! PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA complaint #730080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charlotte, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER FOR SERVICE DEALER NOTICED A BATTERY LEAK, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. *AK TRANSMISSION MAKES GRINDING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #866567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salinas, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

THE ELECTRIC CONNECTOR FOR THE LOW PRESSURE/ LOSS OF FLUID WAS NOT CONNECTED AT THE FACTORY TO THE ABS VALVE. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY LEAKED AT THE + POST. THE OEM REPLACEMENT BATTERY DID THE SAME. AFTER THAT I SWITCHED TO AN AFTER MARKET GEL BATTERY,OPTIMA BRAND AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH PLATFORM STARTED TO FAILL WHEN I WAS TOWING A 9000LBS TRAILER,SHOWING A 3 TO 4 INCH CRACK IN THE RIGHT SIDE BOLTED TO THE FRAME. ALL THOSE FAILLED PARTS WERE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE BY THE DEALER UNDER EITHER GMC WARRENTY OR "GOOD WILL" POLICY.

NHTSA complaint #724312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milford, CT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

WTNH NEWS REPORTED 6/20/00 MANY INSTANCES OF BATTERY FAILURE ON 1995-1999 SUBURBANS/TAHOES. MINE FAILED WHEN ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AFTER LEAKING ACID IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE AIR CONDITIONING LINES WERE HIT WITH THE ACID AND MAY FAIL PREMATURELY. COST TO REPLACE BATTERY WAS $69. REPLACEMENT OF A/C LINES WILL BE $100-200 EST. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE A/C LINES.

NHTSA complaint #724350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chelmsford, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

VEHICLE FAILED TO START. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE BATTERY WAS BULGING AND ACID WAS LEAKING WITHIN THE RF SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE BATTERY FOR REPLACEMENT THE POSITIVE SIDE MOUNT TERMINAL DETACHED INTERNALLY FROM THE BATTERY. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED BATTERY ACID LEAKAGE HAD CORRODED THE BATTERY TRAY, RF INTERNAL WHEEL WELL, ELECTRIAL CONNECTIONS, A/C HOSES, RF STEERING PARTS AND THE RF BRAKE LINE / HOSE.

NHTSA complaint #724361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scottsdale, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

PE99013, DELCO BATTERY LEAKED, AND CAUSED ACID TO SPRAY INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. *AK

NHTSA complaint #863940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kansas City, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

POSITIVE TERMINAL FELL OUT OF BATTERY. ACID LEAKED ON BATTERY TRAY.

NHTSA complaint #717804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redmond, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

ORIGINAL FITMENT BATTERY LEAKED CAUSING FAILURE OF POSITIVE TERMINAL SCREW (VEHICLE WOULD NOT START). EXTENSIVE SURFACE CORROSION IN BATTERY AREA. AT OWNER EXPENSE (BATTERY OUT OF WARRANTY) ACID NEUTRALISER & SEALANT APPLIED TO AFFECTED AREAS, TERMINAL REPLACED, BATTERY REPLACED WITH AFTERMAKET (EXIDE) UNIT. AFTER ANOTHER 22 MONTHS (AT 65000 MILES), SECOND BATTERY FAILED WITH MINOR LEAKAGE, SUSPECTED DUE TO OVERCHARGE. CHARGE CIRCUIT CHECKED OK BY DEALER. NO REPORT OF CORROSION OR OTHER BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM REPORTED FROM DEALER (REF. NHTSA ACTION # PE99073).

NHTSA complaint #717723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shreveport, LA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, HVAC CONTROLS, DOOR WINDOW MOTORS (2), ALTERNATOR, AND RADIO FAILED BETWEEN 50,000 AND 75,000. BATTERY DIED WHILE TRUCK UNDERGOING HVAC CONTROLS REPLACEMENT. WINDSHIELD MOTOR FAILURE OCCURRED DURING STORM--NEARLY CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. DESPITE OUR REPEATED ATTEMPTS, NEITHER GM NOR DEALER HAS MADE GOOD ON ANY REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COSTS.

NHTSA complaint #704479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shreveport, LA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, HVAC CONTROLS, DOOR WINDOW MOTORS (2), ALTERNATOR, AND RADIO FAILED BETWEEN 50,000 AND 75,000. BATTERY DIED WHILE TRUCK UNDERGOING HVAC CONTROLS REPLACEMENT. WINDSHIELD MOTOR FAILURE OCCURRED DURING STORM--NEARLY CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. DESPITE OUR REPEATED ATTEMPTS, NEITHER GM NOR DEALER HAS MADE GOOD ON ANY REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COSTS.

NHTSA complaint #704479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shreveport, LA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #702490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shreveport, LA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #702490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING, CUT VEHICLE OFF FOR A BRIEF PERIOD, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART DUE TO THE BATTERY CABLE WHICH SHORT OUT, CAUSING A FIRE WITHIN THE CABLE.

NHTSA complaint #818129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glendale Heights, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

EVERY WEEK IN THIS MONTH A TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT STARTER WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE TORQUE CONVERTER.

NHTSA complaint #817793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Wilkesboro, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN FOR NO REASON. THE COMPUTER MODULE AND THE FUEL PUMP WERE REPLACED IN 4/97 BECAUSE OF PROBLEM . THE COMPELTE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED LAST WEEK. THE PROBLEM IS STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #814119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Inglewood, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THERE WAS AN ELETRICAL FIRE WHICH STARTED FROM THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS FROM UNDER THE SEAT. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #982692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1995 GMC Suburban problems

← Full 1995 GMC Suburban report