Model year record

1997 GMC Suburban

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 268 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 03V093000

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior

Component
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
507,171
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-07
Owners notified
2003-04-24

Defect description

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

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 slip4460,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2160,000 mi
Steering215,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump13150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1250,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery8—
Tires: tread/belt890,723 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer775,000 mi
Tires6150,619 mi
Air bags: frontal5120,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder5—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor498,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables3—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator346,801 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system3—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3—
Seats3—
Service brakes, hydraulic3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper3—
Electrical system2130,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Electrical system: wiring295,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe260,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline2264,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery295,600 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads246,801 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings225,300 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2—
Structure2—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Suspension: front2—
Tires: sidewall2—
Trailer hitches2—
Unknown or other2142,000 mi
Child seat1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine1130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys146,801 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: driveline1—
Power train: driveline: universal joint1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Structure: body1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front: hub176,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1—
Vehicle speed control1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring175,000 mi
Wheels1—
Wheels: hubcap/cover1—

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 2 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.