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Model year record

1990 GMC Suburban recalls & problems

The 1990 GMC Suburban has 2 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seats (7 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints22filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SeatsNov 16, 1993

Seats

Recall 93V187000604,207 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
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.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.
Power trainFeb 1, 1993

Automatic transmission

Recall 93V0160001,702,880 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.
Risk
THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix
INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Suburban V1500 4WD Diesel

16mpg combined
City / highway14 / 19 mpg
FuelDiesel

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $6,000/year to fuel

Suburban V1500 4WD

13mpg combined
City / highway11 / 15 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

Suburban V1500 4WD

12mpg combined
City / highway11 / 13 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Manual 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner7102—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components7201—
Parking brakeConventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable4000—
Vehicle speed control2000—
Power trainManual transmission; Axle assembly2000—
SuspensionRear › Shock absorber; Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint2000—
Unknown or other1000—
TiresTread/belt1000—
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs1000—
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery1001—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations