Model year record

1994 GMC Suburban

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 490 owner complaints on file.

GMC Suburban, 1992–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1992–1999 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V159000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,755,876
Reported to NHTSA
2003-04-28
Owners notified
2003-06-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V025000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
988,587
Reported to NHTSA
1999-02-05
Owners notified
1999-04-12

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS, CREW CABS, UTILITY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POLARITY OF THE WIRING FOR THE ZERO ADJUST BRAKE SWITCH REVERSED FROM WHAT WAS SPECIFIED ON THE SWITCH DRAWING. WITH THE REVERSED POLARITY, THE CONTACTS IN THE BRAKE SWITCH CAN WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. THE BRAKE SWITCH WILL PERFORM NORMALLY UNTIL THE BRAKE SWITCH CONTACTS WEAR OUT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE DRIVER.

Safety risk

THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH AND REVERSE THE WIRING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V150001

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,557,585
Reported to NHTSA
1998-07-01
Owners notified
1998-12-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip234—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor42100,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2618,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components24—
Seats1174,350 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc11—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads9—
Tires9161,528 mi
Tires: tread/belt7—
Seat belts: front: retractor5—
Service brakes, air: antilock5—
Vehicle speed control5—
Power train: automatic transmission4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system3—
Unknown or other3130,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls3—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables2—
Electrical system: ignition2—
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2102,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Interior lighting2—
Power train: axle assembly2—
Power train: manual transmission2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust2—
Service brakes, hydraulic2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum2—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor266,911 mi
Wheels2—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Equipment: mechanical: wrecker and wheel lift devices1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings198,500 mi
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings198,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1—
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1113,000 mi
Suspension: multiple axle1—
Suspension: rear1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Trailer hitches1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—

The 1993 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

DP00001OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING

Equipment

Other GMC Suburban model years

All GMC Suburban recalls by year

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.