Model year record

1989 Chevrolet Suburban

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 68 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V187000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
604,207
Reported to NHTSA
1993-11-16
Owners notified
1994-01-20

Defect description

THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.

Safety risk

IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V119000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
341,364
Reported to NHTSA
1993-08-02
Owners notified
1993-11-08

Defect description

SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.

Safety risk

SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V016000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,702,880
Reported to NHTSA
1993-02-01
Owners notified
1993-03-13

Defect description

UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.

Safety risk

THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seats: front assembly: recliner16165,000 mi
Seats11
Tires: tread/belt4
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Seat belts: front: retractor3
Tires3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Trailer hitches2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Power train: automatic transmission1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Power train: manual transmission1
Steering190,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Structure1
Structure: frame and members1
Unknown or other1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1988 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1990 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.