The 1992 GMC Suburban has 3 safety recalls and 80 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (77 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints80filed by owners
Crashes · fires21 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline
NHTSA recall 06E043000 · May 19, 2006 · 88,303 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Power train › Automatic transmission
NHTSA recall 93V016000 · Feb 1, 1993 · 1,702,880 vehicles · opened 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.
Problem: THE PIVOT BOLT HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ITS SUPPORT BRACKET MAY BE IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED AND MAY NOT HAVE ENGAGED THE LOCKING MATERIAL ON THE BOLT. THE BOLT CAN DISENGAGE FROM THE NUT.
Risk: IF THE PIVOT BOLT DISENGAGES FROM THE NUT WHILE THEVEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THERE WILL BE A LOSS OF BRAKE CONTROL AND COULD RESULT INA VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS SHOULD INSPECT THE HAND STARTED BRAKE PEDAL BOLTS AND TORQUE THEM TO SPECIFICATION.
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 1500 2WD
13mpg combined
City / highway
11 / 16 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
Suburban 1500 4WD
12mpg combined
City / highway
11 / 15 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 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 area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
77
25
0
8
—
Visibility Windshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
12
0
0
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit
4
0
1
1
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys; Engine › Gasoline
3
0
1
0
—
Electrical system Alternator/generator/regulator; Ignition › Module
2
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front › Wheel bearing; Rear
2
0
0
0
—
Trailer hitches
2
0
0
0
—
Equipment Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
1
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, air Antilock › Interconnecting assembly(wiring)
1
0
0
0
—
Structure
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 28, 2009 · 194,236 miles · fire · 1 injuryPower train › Automatic transmission TRANSMISSION CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH MY 1992 GMC K2500 SUBURBAN IT BURNED TRANNY UP IF I DIDN'T HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN FULLY ENGULFED 1 PERSON RECEIVED A NON SUTURED LACERATION ON FOR HEAD FELL WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE TO GET AWAY FROM FIRE AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE NOTHING YET HAS BEEN DONE ON TRANNY PROBLEM THE ONLY THING THAT GOT DAMAGED WAS MY SUBURBAN TRANSMISSION I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IT DID TO THE UNDERNEATH I HAVE TO CHECK. *TR
Jan 29, 2003 · 146,000 milesVisibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WORKS ONLY OCCASIONALLY AND USUALLY FAILS WHEN IT IS WET OR HUMID. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE SHORT TIME I'VE HAD IT. ALSO WAS A CONSISTANT PROBLEM ON THE 89 SHEVY 1 TON PICKUP I HAD BEFORE.
Apr 2, 2001Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALWAY DOWN TO FLOOR, AND VEHICLE MAKES NOISES. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Feb 7, 2001Structure CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT 'HITCH PLATFORM' WHICH IS USED TO PULL AN AIRSTREAM TRAILER, 8900 LBS, IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Oct 1, 2000Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WHILE MAKING A STOP, AND ALL BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.*AK
Mar 15, 2000Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip I HAVE HAD BRAKE FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE BRAKES WOULD LOSE HOLD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD AS IF IT WERE ON ICE. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID COLLISIONS THROUGH LUCK AND ALSO BY BEING VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND LEAVING EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. VARIOUS DEALERS MISDIAGNOSED THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. FIRST TIME, FRONT BRAKE JOB, SECOND TIME, REAR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT. THIRD TIME, THEY SAID THE PUMP WAS BAD. MIRACULOUSLY THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME IN THE DEALERSHIP. $900 LATER I HAVE A NEW ABS PUMP. NOW THE TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT. IT DID NOT DO THIS BEFORE. DEALER SUSPECTED THAT THE ABS PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. UPON REPLACEMENT,…
Nov 28, 2000Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOMETIMES WILL NOT TURN ON, THE CONSUMER TAPS ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND THIS WILL GET IT WORKING FOR A WHILE. *SLC
Oct 18, 2000Trailer hitches THE WBCCI, A CONSUMER ASSOCIATION STATED THAT THE OEM TRAILER TOWING HITCH PLATFORMS HAD FAILED AND CONSUMER HAS AN REQUESTED INVESTIGATION. (OEM TRAILER TOWING HITCH PLATFORMS ON 1992-1999) *YH
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
EA95026 · opened Sep 20, 1995 · closed Sep 20, 2001 · led to recall 01I006000POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE POOR PERFORMANCE OF ABS BRAKES
EA94029 · opened Jul 29, 1994 · closed Jul 31, 1996ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.