The 1996 GMC Suburban has 4 safety recalls and 172 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (75 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints172filed by owners
Crashes · fires12 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths18 · 4reported 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).
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
NHTSA recall 03V159000 · Apr 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 vehicles · opened 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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
NHTSA recall 98V150001 · Jul 1, 1998 · 1,557,585 vehicles · opened 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.
Problem: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.
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
14mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
Suburban 1500 4WD
13mpg combined
City / highway
11 / 16 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, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 4, 2009 · fireElectrical system 1996 GMC SUBURBAN, CAUGHT ON FIRE. BF OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0580-91 UPDATED 05/03/10 *BF
Feb 21, 2007 · 83,332 milesTires › Tread/belt TRAVELING UP FROM VA, THE RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE WHICH IS A LT245/75R16 MOUNTED ON A 1996 2500 SUBURBAN LOAD RANGE E TIRE RATED AT MAX 80 PSI, WAS INFLATED TO 65 PSI. I FELT A BOBBLING THEN THE TREAD CAME OFF THE CASING, DAMAGING THE SIDE OF MY SUBURBAN, RIPPING OFF THE MUD FLAP AND DAMAGE THE PAINT AS IT FLOPPED AROUND AND JUST RIPPED ITSELF OFF. FORTUNATELY THE TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT BUT LOST THE ENTIRE TREAD PORTION. THIS SET OF FOUR WAS PURCHASE AND WAS EXACT REPLACEMENT FROM OEM TIRE WHEN NEW. THERE IS ABOUT 80% TREAD ON TIRES. FIRESTONE IS TELLING ME TO RUN 45 PSI IN THE FRONT END 80 PSI IN THE REAR. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS ACCURATE. *NM
Feb 10, 2007 · 197,446 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel ON THE GMC 6.5 THE PMD, OR PUMP MOUNTED DRIVER FAILS DUE TO HEAT FAILURE, ALSO FAILING FOR NO REASON IN 8 DEGREE TEMPERATURES. WHEN IT FAILS THERE ARE NO SIGNS, WARNINGS JUST STALLING THE POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES GONE. NOW PUT YOURSELF ON A 2 MILE HILL OF AN INSANE DESCENT, AND YOURSELF BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL WHAT WOULD YOU DO? THIS IS INSANITY THAT THE DEALERSHIP WILL ONLY HELP YOU IF THERE IS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON YOUR CAR, AND THEN ALL THEY DO IS REPLACE THE PUMP, WHEN THE PUMP ISN'T THE PROBLEM ITS THE PUMP MOUNTED DRIVER. I PERSONALLY HAVE SPOKEN TO AND BEEN TO THE MANUFACTURERS AND THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM, THIS IS THE MANUFACTURER! BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND…
Nov 22, 2006 · 208,671 milesFuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER STALLING, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EASILY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE INITIAL REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 12/18/2006 - THE INJECTOR PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL FAILED AGAIN. *NM THE CONSUMER ALSO WANTED TO RECALL FIXED, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. RECALL NUMBERS 96V057000 AND 03V159000. UPDATED 03/21/07. *JB
Dec 22, 2005Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip LIMITED RECALL LIMITS MY SAFETY! I HAD A RECENT CLOSE CALL IN MY 1996 GMC SUBURBAN. THE BRAKES BEGAN TO ANTI-LOCK ON DRY PAVEMENT WHEN ANTI-LOCK ASSISTANCE WAS NOT REQUIRED, THUS GREATLY INCREASING MY STOPPING DISTANCE. THE BRAKES WERE NOT PRESSED HARD; THE ANTI-LOCK SHOULD NOT HAVE ENGAGED. IT WAS A CLOSE CALL BETWEEN MY TRUCK AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. CURRENTLY MY SUBURBAN IS NOT COVERED UNDER GM'S RECENT LIMITED RECALL. HOWEVER, ATTENTION NEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO THIS SITUATION; MY TRUCK NEEDS TO BE COVERED. MY CONCERN IS NOT A TRIVIAL, MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS IS AT HAND. GM SHOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TAKE CARE OF A SAFETY ISSUE. I RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE IN THE DETROIT…
Sep 10, 2005 · 74,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip DT: 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 05068 CONCERNING ABS BRAKES ON THE 1999 THROUGH 2002 MODELS. WAS ISSUED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER YET, BUT THE CONSUMER KNEW THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS MAKE AN MODEL, AND YEAR FOR THE ABS. THE ABS ACTIVATED BETWEEN 3-10 MPH, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, NOT EVERY TIME. NOW, IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNDER ANY ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS, BUT IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. COULD NOT…
Aug 15, 2005Tires › Tread/belt I HAD A FIRESTONE TIRE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY SUBURBAN. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE STEEL BELT AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY SUBURBAN. MY SUBURBAN IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY BUT THE RENTAL COVERAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN EXCEEDED. I AM LEGALLY DISABLED AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL RENTAL COST. *NM
Jul 15, 1999Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC SUBURBAN. WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT. HE WAS PULLING A TRAILER, WITH THE TRAILER AND THE TRUCK IT WEIGHS FROM ANY WHERE 10-15,000 POUNDS. THERE IS A BOLT THAT 3 QUARTERS INCH LONG . PUT THE TWO CABLES TOGETHER AND BOLTED IT INTO THE SIDE BATTERY. THE BOLT BECAME LOOSE. HAD ALL THE POWER NECESSARY TO STEER OR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE PULLING THIS TRAILER IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE INSERT IN THE BATTERY, WHERE THE THREAD SECTION WAS PUT THE BOLT INTO. IF TIGHTEN EDIT IT PUTS A HOLE IN THE BATTERY AND STARTS TO LEAK BATTERY ACID. EVERY MORNING HE TIGHTENS THE BOLT A LITTLE BIT. CONSUMER SPOKEN WITH GM , AND…
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
EA02006 · opened May 31, 2002 · closed Jul 23, 2003 · led to recall 03V159000WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE 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.
PE00017 · opened Apr 11, 2000 · closed Sep 26, 2000HEADLIGHT BASED ON THE REPORTS RECEIVED BY ODI FROM CONSUMERS, FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT FROM REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OFTHE TILT STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY STRAIN THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, RESULTING IN THE UNANTICIPATED LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.ODI HAS CONCERNS REGARDING THE HIGH RATE OF WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR PROBLEMS POTENTIALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WITH THE RECOGNITION THE EACH INCIDENT OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE REPRESENTS A CONDITION OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT.IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER'S EVALUATION OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED, AND THIS OFFICE HAS INTEREST IN THE DETAILS OF THE METHODOLOGIES AND RESULTS OF…
DP00001 · opened Jan 31, 2000 · openOEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
PE99073 · opened Dec 3, 1999 · closed May 2, 2000BATTERY LEAKS ACID ODI HAS RECEIVED 21 COMPLAINTS WHERE OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THE STANDARD GM FACTORY SUPPLIED AC DELCO BATTERY CASE FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LEAKAGE OF SULFURIC ACID.OF THE 21 COMPLAINT VEHICLES, SIX SUBURBAN, THREE TAHOES, AND ONE YUKON OWNER(S) COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM DETERIORATION OF THE RIGHT FRONTBRAKE LINE AS A RESULT OF SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION.THE REMAINING 11 COMPLAINTS PERTAIN PRIMARILY TO SULFURIC ACID LEAKAGE FROM THE BATTERY CASE.AT LEAST ONE COMPLAINANT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY ALSO FAILED.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS NOTE THAT THE LEAKING ACID HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH A WIRE HARNESS AT THE FRAME IN THE VICINITY OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINE.A FIELD INSPECTION BY ODI INDICATES THAT THE DESCRIBED HARNESS IS THE ABS CONNECTION TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR.PRIOR TO THE BATTERY CASE FAILURE, THERE IS USUALLY NO WARNING (SHORT OF AN UNDERHOOD…
EA95026 · opened Sep 20, 1995 · closed Sep 20, 2001 · led to recall 01I006000POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE POOR PERFORMANCE OF ABS BRAKES