IllustrationTHE VEHICLE MAKES A HUMMING SOUND AND INCREASES AS IT ACCELERATES DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION OIL PUMP AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. YH
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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 reportsACID LEAKAGES FROM DELCO BATTERY POST. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE, PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AND DO NOT REALLY MAKE A GOOD EFFORT TO STOP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE ORIGINAL BATTERY LEAKED AND CAUSED A POWER OUTAGE,CAUSING THE POSITIVE CABLES TO EVENTUALLY START CORRODING INTERNALLY.THE DEALER REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY.SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE REPLACED BATTERY CAUSED THE SAME PROBLEM,BUT THIS TIME IT INTERNALLY CORRODE THE POSITIVE CABLES.I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AN…
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THE ORIGINAL BATTERY LEAKED AND CAUSED A POWER OUTAGE,CAUSING THE POSITIVE CABLES TO EVENTUALLY START CORRODING INTERNALLY.THE DEALER REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY.SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE REPLACED BATTERY CAUSED THE SAME PROBLEM,BUT THIS TIME IT INTERNALLY CORRODE THE POSITIVE CABLES.I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE BATTERY LEAKED AGAIN AND CORRODED THE POSITIVE CABLES.THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY.SO I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY AND BOUGHT A NEW PAIR OF POSITIVE CABLES AND INSTALLED THEM MYSELF.I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM AND THEY DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.I CONTACTED AC DELCO TO TELL THEM THAT I FELT THAT THEY HAD A BATTERY PROBLEM AND THEY NEVER CONTACTED ME BACK.
FIRST TIME AT 30,000 MILES, SYMPTOMS APPEARED TO BE DEFECTIVE STARTER OR STARTED SOLENOID- FOUND THAT THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING AT THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND CORRODED/RUINED CABLE CONNECTING TO BATTERY. DEALER IN NORTH CAROLINA [PARKS CHEVROLET, CHARLOTTE REPLACE BATTERY AND CABLES, FREE]. SECOND TIME, AT 50,000 MILE…
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FIRST TIME AT 30,000 MILES, SYMPTOMS APPEARED TO BE DEFECTIVE STARTER OR STARTED SOLENOID- FOUND THAT THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING AT THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND CORRODED/RUINED CABLE CONNECTING TO BATTERY. DEALER IN NORTH CAROLINA [PARKS CHEVROLET, CHARLOTTE REPLACE BATTERY AND CABLES, FREE]. SECOND TIME, AT 50,000 MILES, I CHECKED BATTERY AND FOUND LEAKING AGAIN - SOAKED CABLE CONNECTIONS IN BAKING SODA WATER SOLUTION AND RE-INSTALLED WITH NEW BOLT. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE CLEANED THE CABLE CONNECTION AT BATTERY POSITIVE POST WITH SODA/WATER SOLUTION AT APPROXIMNATELY 10,000 MILE INTERVALS. FROM TALKING TO OTHER OWNERS, IT APPEARS THAT THE BATTERIES ARE THE PROBLEM - LEAKING AT THE POSITIVE BOLT/TERMINAL CONNECTION. AS A FORMER MECHANIC AND FACTORY SERVICE REP, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID A SERIOUS THREAT TO SAFETY BY FREQUENT INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE, BUT THIS IS REALLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND MAY HAVE FRIGHTENING RESULTS UNLESS SOME ACTION IS TAKEN TO CORRECT
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
THE BRACKET SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 3 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. EACH HAS HAD TO HAVE THE BRACKET REINFORCED AND RE-WELDED. I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING TO VEHICLES THIS NEW. ALSO, NONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM ARE OVER WEIGHT. THESE SEATS S…
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THE BRACKET SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 3 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. EACH HAS HAD TO HAVE THE BRACKET REINFORCED AND RE-WELDED. I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING TO VEHICLES THIS NEW. ALSO, NONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM ARE OVER WEIGHT. THESE SEATS SHOULD NOT BE BREAKING. *AK
IN FEBRUARY MY CAR DIED WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT. I TURNED OUT TO BE ACID CORROSION ON THE BATTERY. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO HAVE MY POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO ACID CORROSION. EVEN AFTER CLEANING THE ACID OFF I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVEN THOUGH IT SAY…
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IN FEBRUARY MY CAR DIED WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT. I TURNED OUT TO BE ACID CORROSION ON THE BATTERY. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO HAVE MY POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO ACID CORROSION. EVEN AFTER CLEANING THE ACID OFF I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVEN THOUGH IT SAYS IT IS STILL GOOD. I KNOW OF ANOTHER SUBURBAN (95) ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
WHEN ITS RAINING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE TURNED ON, THEY WILL STOP UNEXPECTEDLY IN THE DOWN POSITION. *AK
Official recalls
303V159000 · 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
7EA02006 · 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