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1996 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Suburban years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban are substantially higher than the model-year median of 118.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 26 of 360 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports12 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

360 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2001
Visibility

THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING INDENTICAL PROBLEMS AS IN RECALL# 8704 98V150000. WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE, REDUCING DRIVER'S VISIBILTY, AND INCREASING RISK OF CRASH. MANUFACTURER HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL ISSUSED, AND WILL NOT COVER EXPENSE FOR REPAIR.*AK THE MANUFACTURER …

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THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING INDENTICAL PROBLEMS AS IN RECALL# 8704 98V150000. WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE, REDUCING DRIVER'S VISIBILTY, AND INCREASING RISK OF CRASH. MANUFACTURER HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL ISSUSED, AND WILL NOT COVER EXPENSE FOR REPAIR.*AK THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO COVER PART COST FOR CIRCUIT BOARD INSIDE THE WIPER MOTOR BUT DEALER WANTS THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR LABOR. *YH

NHTSA ODI #878253

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2001
Electrical System

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH ON MAJOR HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE WHILE PULLING A TRAILER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877447

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2000
Air BagsCrash

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A SMALLER VEHICLE ON WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THIS CRASH. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM. DEALER CLAIMED THAT BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS LARGE IMPACT DID NOT TRIGGER AIRBAG SENSOR, AND DID NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS UN…

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WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A SMALLER VEHICLE ON WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THIS CRASH. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM. DEALER CLAIMED THAT BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS LARGE IMPACT DID NOT TRIGGER AIRBAG SENSOR, AND DID NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS UNPON IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877129

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2000
TiresCrashInjury

WHILE TRAVELING 75MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT. VEHICLE VIBRATED. PULLED TO SIDE., AND CHECKED TIRES. NOTICED TREAD HAD PEELED OFF. PUT SPARE ON. BROUGHT ANOTHER TIRE TO REPLACE SPARE. 2ND TIRE LEFT REAR BLEWOUT, SAME THING HAD HAPPENED. THEN, 3RD TIRE, RIGHT FRONT, SAME PROBLEM. THREW AWAY FIRST TIRE. KEPT OTHER TWO TIRES …

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WHILE TRAVELING 75MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT. VEHICLE VIBRATED. PULLED TO SIDE., AND CHECKED TIRES. NOTICED TREAD HAD PEELED OFF. PUT SPARE ON. BROUGHT ANOTHER TIRE TO REPLACE SPARE. 2ND TIRE LEFT REAR BLEWOUT, SAME THING HAD HAPPENED. THEN, 3RD TIRE, RIGHT FRONT, SAME PROBLEM. THREW AWAY FIRST TIRE. KEPT OTHER TWO TIRES THAT BLEW OUT SAME DAY. VEHICLE WENT OFF ROAD TO THE LEFT & THEN BACK TO THE RIGHT. DRIVER SUFFERED BACK INJURIES DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION OF THIRD TIRE. BRIDGESTONE PUELER APT (AFTER MARKET) LT 265/75R16. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876917

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2000
Suspension

WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE MAKE A LOUD NOISE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #875613

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2000
Exterior Lighting

DAYTIME RUNNING HEADLIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING, BUT ON DASHBOARD IT IS INDICATED THAT THEY ARE WORKING WHEN THEY ARE NOT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #873591

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TRANSMISSION SHAFT HOUSING CRACKED IN HALF BECAUSE THE CASTING WAS TOO THIN. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #556154

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2000
Tires

RIGHT FRONT TIRE IS SHOWING SIGNS OF DRY ROT ALONG SIDEWALL AS LARGE AS A GOOSE EGG. FIRESTONE WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #872792

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2000
Tires

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WAS PULLING UP INTO DRIVEWAY, AND SHE HEARD A NOISE. WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE NOTICED THAT PASSENGER'S REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM RIM. FIRESTONE, STEEL TEX #AT, LT245/75R16. *AK

NHTSA ODI #872665

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2000
Visibility

98V 150 001/WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING: VEHICLE WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY; PROBLEM CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVER UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #872523

Official recalls

3

03V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Apr 28, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

98V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Jul 1, 1998

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

96V057000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Apr 4, 1996

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

7

EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure

Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

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.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

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.

EA00024 · Headlight

Opened Sep 26, 2000 · Closed Dec 21, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

No summary supplied.

EA00013 · Battery Leaks Acid

Opened May 2, 2000 · Closed Jun 28, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

DP00001 · Oem Hitch Receiver Platform Cracking

Opened Jan 31, 2000 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Equipment

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

EA97007 · Steering Shaft Separations

Opened Apr 17, 1997 · Closed Mar 12, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

COUPLING BOLTS, JOINING THE STEERING SHAFT, MAY SEPARATE.IN SOME CASES, TOTAL UNFORESEEN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY RESULT.

PE96076 · Steering Shaft Separations

Opened Dec 18, 1996 · Closed Apr 17, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

BOLT IN THE COUPLING, JOINING THE UPPER INTERMEDIATE AND STEERING COLUMN SHAFTS, FALLS OUT.TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING OCCURS WHEN THE SHAFTS THEN SEPARATE.

EA95026 · Poor Brake Performance

Opened Sep 20, 1995 · Closed Sep 20, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

POOR PERFORMANCE OF ABS BRAKES