129 of the
2,323 complaints filed about the GMC Suburban
are about the transmission —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1997.
129
Complaints
6%
Share of all complaints
6
Crashes
5
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
TRANSMISSION CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH MY 1992 GMC K2500 SUBURBAN IT BURNED TRANNY UP IF I DIDN'T HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN FULLY ENGULFED 1 PERSON RECEIVED A NON SUTURED LACERATION ON FOR HEAD FELL WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE TO GET AWAY FROM FIRE AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE NOTHING YET HAS BEEN DONE ON TRANNY PROBLEM THE ONLY THING THAT GOT DAMAGED WAS MY SUBURBAN TRANSMISSION I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IT DID TO THE UNDERNEATH I HAVE TO CHECK.
NHTSA complaint #10261461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT 52073 MILES CONSUMERS SUBURBAN STALLED WHILE DRIVING. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THE FUEL PUMP FAILED THREE TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, THE TIRES HAD WORN OUT AND WAS SEPARATING, THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO THE AIR INJECTOR AND THE REAR PARKING BRAKES HAD WORN OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10142128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AND CHANGING GEARS, AND WHEN PUTTING IT IN REVERSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE IS FALLING OUT. WHILE CHANGING GEARS ITS LIKE A BIG THUD. WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO REVERSE IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING APART. WHEN TURNING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL RED LIGHT STAYS ON, AND THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED. ALSO, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR.
NHTSA complaint #10140031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NAR 04/28/2003. MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL, ENGINE IDLED ROUGHLY, COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKED, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOME LIGHT, STEERING, THE REAR AXLE, THE LEFT REAR GLASS RATTLED, THE AIR CONDITION, BATTERY, SUSPENSION WERE ALL INOPERATIVE. THE FUEL FILTER, MIRROR TRANSMISSION SEAT, SEAT BELTS, WIPERS, ALTERNATOR, BRAKES, FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10017745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACE THREE TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS LAST FAILURE CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE NEARLY CAUSING A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10087616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1998 SUBURBAN W/ 4L60E TRANSMISSION, SHIFTING HARD 1-2 AND 2-3. RESEARCH SHOWS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM OF MANUFACTURER ADDRESSES UNDER GM TECH SERV BULLETIN 01-07-30-023B. FURTHER, INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THAT PROBLEM IS MANUFACTURERS DESIGN ERROR, AND THAT ONLY PERMANENT FIX IS TO USE AN AFTERMARKET SUPPLIERS RE-DESIGNED REPLACEMENT PART. CURRENTLY, I AM IN THE POSITION OF HAVING TO SEEK REPAIR AT ESTIMATED COSTS RANGING FROM $1800-2800 FROM LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS.
NHTSA complaint #10081201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION-DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ON VACATION WHEN A CLOUD OF SMOKE WAS NOTICED OUT THE REAR OF THE SUBURBAN. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO FIND TRANSMISSION FLUID SPRAYED ALL OUT OF THE OVER FLOW TUBE. I WAS TOLD THAT TOO MUCH PRESSURE WAS BUILT UP AND THE SUBURBANS ARE KNOWN FOR THAT. FILLED IT BACK UP WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO SLIP. HAD TO GIVE UP THE VACATION AND GET A TOW BACK HOME. FLUID HAD SPRAYED ALL OVER MY VEHICLE AND VEHICLES BEHIND ME. IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT. LUCKILY I GOT IT SHUT DOWN BEFORE A FIRE CAUGHT. HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A HEAVY COST.
NHTSA complaint #10075020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER ON MY 1993 SUBURBAN K1500 BROKE AND LOCKED THE REAR WHEELS, FORM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE ON THESE TRUCKS AND GM SHOULD BE AWARE OF HOW OFTEN THESE THINSG BREAK AND THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL OF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10057104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1997 GMC SUBURBAN- MULTIPLE ENGINE & TRANSMISSION FAILURES. AT 60,000 MILES, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT HARD. RETURNED TO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES FOR WORK. FINALLY, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN CITY TRAFFIC, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPELETLY. REQUIRED VALVE COVER AND TRANSMISSION REBUILD @ COST OF $2,000. ON DECEMBER 27 '03, HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. ON JAN 17 '04, DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO ANTIFREEZE IN NEW RADIATOR. RETURNED TO MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE RADIATOR. SAID THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST: ~$600. TOOK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR SECOND OPINION. SAME DIAGNOSIS. BOTH STATE THAT GM IS AWARE OF BOTH PROBLEMS, HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COSTS OF REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT. ADDITIONALLY- REPLACED ALTERNATOR TWO TIMES; REPLACED WATER PUMP TWO TIMES; REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER IN FALL 2003.
NHTSA complaint #10054576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERIES OF EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE WITH GM REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT IN MY 1996 GMC SUBURBAN WHICH FAILED AFTER ONLY 75,000 MILES - 25,000 MILES BEFORE THE GM RECOMMENDED SERVICE. GM HAS CHOSEN NOT TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH GM TRANSMISSIONS. 12/31/2003 08:37 AM MICHELLE, I HAD THE LOCAL DEALER INSTALL A NEW TRANSMISSION LAST WEEK. I ASKED THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHY THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. HE NOTED THAT IT HAD OVERHEATED AND TRASH AND DEBRIS WERE FOUND IN THE FLUID. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THEY, THE GM DEALER, RECOMMEND SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION EVERY 50,000 MILES. I FOLLOW THE SHORT-TRIP SERVICE SCHEDULE EVEN THOUGH MY TRUCK IS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT USED EXCESSIVELY TO AVOID PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. ACCORDING TO THE GM OWNERS MANUAL, THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE REQUIRED SERVICING FOR ANOTHER 25,000 MILES. I FOLLOW AND EXCEED YOUR SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS. I NOW HAVE A FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED MORE FREQUENT SERVICE. PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND. -----ORIGINAL MESSAGE----- FROM: TWARD@CHARBROIL.COM SENT: 12/23/03 10:08:53 AM TO: CAC@GMC.COM SUBJECT: RE: 1-172307605 I HAD A VERY GOOD CONVERSATION WITH JOE. UNFORTUNATELY, WITH HIS BEST EFFORTS, HE WAS NOT ABLE TO SECURE ANY ASSISTANCE. I UNDERSTAND THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS. WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND - AFTER SPEAKING WITH MULTIPLE AUTOMOTIVE PROFESSIONALS INCLUDING SEVERAL GM SERVICE AND PARTS ASSOCIATES - IS WHY THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH GM TRUCKS. I CAN ALSO SPEAK FROM MY SISTER'S PERSONAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT IN HER 2002 Z71TAHOE. IF THE TRUCK HAD BEEN USED FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES, HAD NOT BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY, OR HAD OVER 150,000 MILES - I COULD UNDERSTAND THE TRANSMISSION FAILING. AGAIN, THIS TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 75,000 HIGHWAY MILES AND HAS BEEN USED FOR FAMILY TRAVEL.
NHTSA complaint #10052481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER AN HOUR OF DRIVING.*MR. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE CAME TO A STOP AND THEN PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE JERKED EXTREMELY HARD. *JB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10042634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1998 GMC SURBURBAN FAILED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER AND ANOTHER TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAS BEEN COMMON TO THE 1997-98 GMC AND CHEVROLET SURBURBANS, TAHOES AND COMPARABLE VEHICLES. IT IS NOT FAIR TO CONSUMERS FOR AN AUTO MAKER TO KNOW ABOUT SEVERE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH VEHICLES AND NOT ISSUE A RECALL OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. OF THE 86 COMPLAINTS LISTED ON YOUR WEBSITE FOR THIS MODEL, 7 INVOLVED AND OTHERS INVOLVED THE DRIVETRAIN WHICH CAN BE AN ASSOCIATED PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10038710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AXLE SHAFT SEAL ON THE DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS FLUID, WHICH RUNS ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE WHICH PRODUCES A SMELL AND A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD I BOUGHT THIS 1999 GMC SUBURBAN VEHICLE USED AT CROWN MOTORS IN CHARLEVOIX MICHIGAN ON 02/02/01, WITH 21904 MILES ON IT. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE SUBURBAN I STARTED SMELLING A BURNT OIL ODOR WHEN I WOULD GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ODOR WAS. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I HAD MY SUBURBAN SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DIFFERENTIAL SEAL WAS LEAKING. THIS WAS TOLD TO ME AS A QUITE COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE VEHICLE. I WENT TO CROWN MOTORS AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I WAS REFERRED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO SAID THAT HE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD ALMOST 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS MY THIRD GMC SUBURBAN AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SATISFIED WITH THE WAY THAT THEY LAST. I BELIEVE THAT IF GMC HAS A PROBLEM AND POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD WITH THESE NEWER VEHICLES THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THEM AND GET THE PROBLEM FIXED BEFORE A FIRE STARTS AND SOME INNOCENT PERSON GETS TRAPPED AND KILLED BY THEIR PROBLEM. I AM NOT SURE OF THE DATE THAT I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT CROWN MOTORS OR THE EXACT DATE THAT THE LEAK WAS FOUND BUT I AM USING TODAY AS THE INCIDENT DATE. THANK YOU. HOPE YOU CAN DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOME GETS KILLED OR INJURED BY A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10021511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1998 GMC SUBURBAN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. OUR VEHICLE WAS SPECIAL ORDERED FROM GMAC IN 1997. THE ISSUES IN OUR TRANSMISSION STARTED LATE LAST SUMMER, 2002. THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE "BUMP" WHEN STARTING FROM A STANDSTILL AND GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEARS. AS STATED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS THIS IS OUR FAMILY VEHICLE TRANSPORTING OR 3 SMALL CHILDREN. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE RIGHT REAR TRANSMISSION SEAL BROKE TWICE AND LEAKED FLUID ONTO THE REAR BRAKE. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL LEAKED ACID AND CAUSED THE BATTERY TRAY TO RUST *MR
NHTSA complaint #10018246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.