Model year record

1994 GMC Suburban recalls & problems

The 1994 GMC Suburban has 4 safety recalls and 411 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (300 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints411filed by owners

Crashes · fires65 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths21 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 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).

VisibilityApr 28, 2003

Windshield wiper/washer

Recall 03V1590001,755,876 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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

Exterior lightingFeb 5, 1999

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 99V025000988,587 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH AND REVERSE THE WIRING.

VisibilityJul 1, 1998

Windshield wiper/washer

Recall 98V1500011,557,585 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

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.

Crash test ratings

1994 GMC Suburban 4-DR. 4x4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

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

13mpg combined

City / highway	11 / 14 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/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, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	300	64	0	22	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor; Windshield wiper/washer	75	2	1	0	100,000 mi
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	17	1	2	2	162,028 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Power adjust	13	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables	12	1	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	11	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly	10	0	1	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage	9	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Carburetor system	7	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	6	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, airAntilock; Supply › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	6	0	0	1	—
StructureBody › Hatchback/liftgate; Body	4	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

TiresFire
TIRE WOBBLE/ NO SEPARATION YET CAN FEEL IT PULLING / DID WAIT FOR THIS ONE TO BUBBLE UP AND SEPARATE WASN'T GOING TO WAIT ANOTHER 3 WEEKS FOR AN ACCIDENT POSSIBLY FATAL TO HAPPEN HAD THIS LAST REMAINING ONE REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE. *TR
May 1, 2008 · 162,528 miles
Tires
TIRES SEPARATING CAUSING MAJOR BUBBLE AND PULLING AS WELL AS SHAKING. *TR
Jul 12, 2007 · 156,880 miles
TiresFire
TIRE SEPARATION CAUSING BUBBLE IN TIRE /CAUSING SHAKING / PULLING SEVERELY TO RIGHT SIDE. *TR
Apr 10, 2008 · 161,528 miles
Tires
TREAD / TIRE SEPARATION BIG BUBBLE IN TIRE SEVERE SHAKING / SEVERE PULLING THOUGHT MY TRUCK NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT VERY VERY VERY BAD. *TR
May 1, 2008 · 162,528 miles
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED AFTER BEING MANUALLY "HELPED" SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE, BUT NO LONGER. WHEN I CONTACTED GMC, THEY TOLD ME THE CURRENT RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I HAVE PURCHASED THE CIRCUIT BOARD MYSELF AND WILL NOW NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE INSTALL IT. RECALL NEEDS TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL VIN #'S. I WAS TOLD BY THE GMC TOLL FREE NUMBER THAT IT WAS NOT A "SAFETY" ISSUE, SORRY. *NM
Jun 16, 2006 · 18,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON I ENCOUNTERED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON TWO OCCASIONS ONCE WHILE THE UNIT WAS ACTIVATED AND ONCE WHILE IT WAS NOT. *NM
Dec 24, 2005
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. GM REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V150001 STATING RECALL VOIDED AFTER 70,000 MILES. I GUESS THE BARD TURNS "GOOD" AFTER REACHING THE MILEAGE? *JB
Oct 13, 2005 · 131,300 miles
Power train › Automatic transmissionFire
DT A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. CONTACTED GM, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Oct 15, 2002

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

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREClosedLed to recall 03V159000
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
EA02006 · opened May 31, 2002 · closed Jul 23, 2003
OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKINGOpen
THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
DP00001 · opened Jan 31, 2000
POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCEClosedLed to recall 01I006000
POOR PERFORMANCE OF ABS BRAKES
EA95026 · opened Sep 20, 1995 · closed Sep 20, 2001