203 of the 2,323 complaints filed about the GMC Suburban are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 9% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1994.
203
Complaints
9%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 01/07/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/12/09.
NHTSA complaint #10251576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1997 GMC SUBURBAN WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CONSISTENT WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN 03V159000. I CONTACTED GMC, AND AFTER A LENGTHY PHONE CALL TO COLLECT ALL RELEVANT DATA, THEY SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME AT MY LOCAL GMC DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE WIPER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND INFORMED ME THAT THE FAILURE WAS INDEED DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE WIPER CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD. HOWEVER, MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IF I WOULD HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED PRIOR TO 70,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE, THEN THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT AT NO CHARGE UNDER A "WAIVER SYSTEM?", BUT NOW IT WOULD BE $120 TO FIX. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH GM CONTINUES TO SEND ME MARKETING MATERIAL TO TRADE IN THIS VEHICLE FOR A NEW ONE, THEY FAILED TO INFORM ME AT ANY TIME OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD RECALL. THEY ALSO WASTED SEVERAL HOURS OF MY TIME ON THE TELEPHONE AND ARRANGING TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE AT THE DEALER PRIOR TO TELLING ME THAT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. HOW CAN THIS AUTOMAKER HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY IN MIND WHEN THEY DENY CONSUMERS A REMEDY TO A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC SAFETY HAZARD BASED ON THE NUMBER OF MILES ON THEIR VEHICLE? THIS IS A $30 RETAIL PRICE CIRCUIT BOARD! APPARENTLY MY SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHERS AROUND ME IS NOT WORTH $30 TO GMC. THE "ICING ON THE CAKE" IS THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT GM INVESTED TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO, AND THEN BACK PEDDLING ON WHY THEY COULDN'T REPLACE THE CARD UNDER THE RECALL. WHAT WOULD THE COST BE IF I WAS CAUGHT IN A RAINSTORM DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH MY UNREPAIRED VEHICLE AND HAD A CRASH? I HAVE PERSONALLY REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART WITH A REPLACEMENT THAT I PURCHASED AT AN AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY STORE.
NHTSA complaint #10197098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER STALLING, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EASILY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE INITIAL REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 12/18/2006 - THE INJECTOR PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL FAILED AGAIN. *NM THE CONSUMER ALSO WANTED TO RECALL FIXED, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. RECALL NUMBERS 96V057000 AND 03V159000. UPDATED 03/21/07.
NHTSA complaint #10174069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. THE WIPER MOTOR WORKED INTERMITTENTLY EVER SINCE. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED FOR ANY ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL DEFECT. NEITHER A DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE DEFECT SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. UPDATED 03/15/07.
NHTSA complaint #10173495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V159000 CONCERNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10142987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
I HAVE A 1997 GMC SUBURBAN. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING COMPLETELY AND UNPREDICTABLY. THIS HAPPENED ONCE OR TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2001, BUT IN RECENT MONTHS HAS HAPPENED VERY FREQUENTLY, MOST MEMORABLY WHEN I WAS TRAVELING IN HEAVY RAIN ON THE HIGHWAY. I MANAGED TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, BUT WAS DEFINITELY IN DANGER. I CONTACTED GMC AND WAS TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE ON 1997 GMC SUBURBANS (GM RECALL #03023; NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V159), MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED BASED ON THE VIN. I HAVE SCHEDULED THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR, BUT FEEL STRONGLY THAT IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10131020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THERE IS ALREADY AN APR 28, 2003 RECALL BUT YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TOLD ME I SHOULD FILE THIS ANYWAY SINCE THE MANUFACTURER (GMC) WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL (BELOW). THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE QUEBEDEAUX GMC SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN TUCSON, ARIZONA. GMC REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM (THE WIPERS WILL NOT WORK AND MY WIFE WAS ALMOST IN A BAD ACCIDENT AS A RESULT). AT FIRST, THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE WORK WAS ALREADY DONE SINCE THE 2003 RECALL. IT WAS NOT. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THEY COULD NOT NOTIFY ME OF THE RECALL BECAUSE I AM ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND MOVE RESIDENCES EVERY 2 YEARS. THEY PROBABLY JUST CHECKED IT OFF AS DONE OR THERE WAS A TYPO. EITHER WAY, THE PROBLEM EXISTS AND IT IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. MAKE : GMC MODEL : SUBURBAN YEAR : 1997 MANUFACTURER : GENERAL MOTORS CORP. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V159000 RECALL DATE : APR 28, 2003 COMPONENT: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED : 1755876 SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. CONSEQUENCE: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
NHTSA complaint #10128634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED WITH THE LACK OF RECALLS ON THE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD ON HIS 1998 GMC SUBURBAN. *NM ARTEMIS DOWN UNTIL JULY,05 AAE THE CONSUMER RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT RECALL OF SEVERAL VEHICLE WHICH HAVE THE SAME WIPER COMPONENT. THE WIPERS FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM AT 70 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10127923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
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.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
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.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATE SPORADICALLY CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. CAUSED A NEAR COLLISION WITH MY WIFE AND 4 CHILDREN ON BOARD.
NHTSA complaint #10100840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW
WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. *AK THIS WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THEN INTO PARK. THIS PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR AT LEAST FIVE TIME PER WEEK. THE LEFT REAR UPPER PORTION OF THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER GRID WAS INOPERATIVE AND THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD WHILE IN THE PARK POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10101073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
WHILE DRIVING A 1997 GMC SUBURBAN AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT NOTICE. IT RESULTED IN A VERY URGENT AND PANICY STOP ON I96 FROM HIGHWAY SPEED IN RELATIVELY LIGHT TRAFFIC. WE WAITED A FEW MINUTES BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEY RESTARTED ON THEIR OWN. I CALLED THE CORPORATION CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT NOWHERE. I WROTE A LETTER THINKING IT WOULD GET ACTION (DEC 1, 2003). I GOT A RESPONSE THAT BASICALLY SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FOR THE PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THIS IS ALL NEWS BECAUSE WE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN JULY OF 2003. THE SERVICE MANAGER, ELIZABETH NAVARRO, SUGGESTED I GO BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL EVALUATION. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT EVALUATE IF THE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING. SO THE FIRST TIME IT FAILED NEAR THE DEALER WAS YESTERDAY,7/27/04. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN AFTERMARKET MODULE (THE COMPONENT THAT EVERYONE AGREES IS FAILING) ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING. HERE IS MY CONCERN, I AM SOMEWHAT MECHANICALLY INCLINED AND UNDERSTAND THAT I OWN A VEHICLE THAT HAS NOW FAILED AT LEAST TWO MODULES, POSSIBLY THREE, AND IT IS AT MOST EIGHT YEARS OLD WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT. IN TALKING WITH OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS OF SIMILAR AGE AND BRAND I AM TOLD THIS IS COMMON. EVERONE AT GM AND THE DEALERS TALK ABOUT A COMPONENT FAILURE. THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A SYSTEM FAILURE. THE DESIGN IS FAILING. NAMELY THEIR RECALL FIX NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. MY OBVIOUS QUESTION TO YOU IS WHAT TYPE OF FOLLOW UP DO YOU DO AFTER A RECALL HAS BEEN EXECUTED? DO YOU PERFORM ANY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE EFFECTIVENESS? MAY I HAVE COPIES OF THOSE STUDIES? BELIEVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE A MANDATORY COMPONENT. I BELIEVE IF MY WIFE WERE DRIVING THAT NIGHT (OR MY MOTHER) THE PROBABILITY THE THE TRUCK COMING TO A SAFE STOP WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH LESS.
NHTSA complaint #10082817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE DRIVING A 1997 GMC SUBURBAN AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT NOTICE. IT RESULTED IN A VERY URGENT AND PANICY STOP ON I96 FROM HIGHWAY SPEED IN RELATIVELY LIGHT TRAFFIC. WE WAITED A FEW MINUTES BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEY RESTARTED ON THEIR OWN. I CALLED THE CORPORATION CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT NOWHERE. I WROTE A LETTER THINKING IT WOULD GET ACTION (DEC 1, 2003). I GOT A RESPONSE THAT BASICALLY SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FOR THE PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THIS IS ALL NEWS BECAUSE WE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN JULY OF 2003. THE SERVICE MANAGER, ELIZABETH NAVARRO, SUGGESTED I GO BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL EVALUATION. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT EVALUATE IF THE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING. SO THE FIRST TIME IT FAILED NEAR THE DEALER WAS YESTERDAY,7/27/04. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN AFTERMARKET MODULE (THE COMPONENT THAT EVERYONE AGREES IS FAILING) ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING. HERE IS MY CONCERN, I AM SOMEWHAT MECHANICALLY INCLINED AND UNDERSTAND THAT I OWN A VEHICLE THAT HAS NOW FAILED AT LEAST TWO MODULES, POSSIBLY THREE, AND IT IS AT MOST EIGHT YEARS OLD WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT. IN TALKING WITH OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS OF SIMILAR AGE AND BRAND I AM TOLD THIS IS COMMON. EVERONE AT GM AND THE DEALERS TALK ABOUT A COMPONENT FAILURE. THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A SYSTEM FAILURE. THE DESIGN IS FAILING. NAMELY THEIR RECALL FIX NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. MY OBVIOUS QUESTION TO YOU IS WHAT TYPE OF FOLLOW UP DO YOU DO AFTER A RECALL HAS BEEN EXECUTED? DO YOU PERFORM ANY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE EFFECTIVENESS? MAY I HAVE COPIES OF THOSE STUDIES? BELIEVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE A MANDATORY COMPONENT. I BELIEVE IF MY WIFE WERE DRIVING THAT NIGHT (OR MY MOTHER) THE PROBABILITY THE THE TRUCK COMING TO A SAFE STOP WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH LESS.
NHTSA complaint #10082817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ACTIVATED AND THE ENGINE RUNNING, THEY WILL NOT TURN OFF UNLESS THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. DEALER ADVISES ME THIS IS NOT RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL 03V159000.
NHTSA complaint #10078434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ENGAGED. THE VIN NUMBER ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR RECALL 03V159000 DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10076061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.