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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 · May 26, 2000
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THE BATTERY LEAKED/SPRAYED ACID ONTO THE ENGINE AND RIGHT FRONT SIDE COMPONENTS OF THE SUBURBAN. THE AIR BAG SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE REST OF THE COMPONENTS WERE JUST CLEANED OFF (THIS INCLUDED BRAKE HYDRAULIC CABLES AND LINES, BRAKES, AIR CONDITIONING HOSES, RADIATOR, ETC.). THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER SAID THEY DON'T C…

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THE BATTERY LEAKED/SPRAYED ACID ONTO THE ENGINE AND RIGHT FRONT SIDE COMPONENTS OF THE SUBURBAN. THE AIR BAG SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE REST OF THE COMPONENTS WERE JUST CLEANED OFF (THIS INCLUDED BRAKE HYDRAULIC CABLES AND LINES, BRAKES, AIR CONDITIONING HOSES, RADIATOR, ETC.). THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER SAID THEY DON'T COVER THE BATTERY BECAUSE IT IS NOT MADE BY THEM ALTHOUGHT I THINK THE COMPANY IS OWNED BY THEM. WE HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY AND PAY FOR ALL THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LONG TERM AFFECTS OF THIS CORROSIVE ACID WILL BE. IT LEFT A HUGE ORANGE PUDDLE IN OUR GARAGE FLOOR WHICH WE CAN'T GET RID OF. WE TOOK VIDEO AND PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR, BATTERY AND GARAGE. THE CRACKED FRONT TRANSAXLE CASING WAS ONLY DIAGNOSED AFTER THEY HAD REPLACED THE SEAL ON THE FRONT AXLE TWICE SINCE IT WAS ALWAYS LEAKING FLUID. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD THE SEAL REPLACED 2 OR 3 TIMES BUT IT STILL LEAKS. THE FUEL PUMPED FAILED ON OUR CAR LEAVING US STRANDED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TRUCK NEEDS TO KEEP A 1/4 TANK OF GAS AT ALL TIMES IN THE TANK SO THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS NEVER REALLY WORKED WELL ON THIS MODEL, IT APPEARS THAT IT IS UNDERSIZED TO HANDLE THE THERMAL LOAD. WE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE SPOT WELDS ON THE DOOR JAMS FILED BECAUSE MANY SHARP BURRS EXISTED WHICH WERE A SAFETY HAZARD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #723203

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722863

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2000
Visibility

RECALL 98V150.001/WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING: WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY WOULD STOP WORKING DURING OPERATION. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER. RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #861995

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2000
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #552253

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2000
Seat Belts

DRIVERS / PASSENGERS SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAILED TO OPERATE. WILL NOT PULL OUT OF RETRACTORS, LEAVING FRONT OCCUPANTS WITHOUT ANY RETRAINT IN CASE OF VEHICLE COLLISION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #861289

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD TRAVEL TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED , AND STATED BRAKES UNEVENLY WORE OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON.

NHTSA ODI #860594

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2000
Structure

METAL RIGHT FRONT INNER FENDER SHIELD HAS BEEN RUBBING AGAINST HIGH PRESSURE REFRIGERANT LINE CAUSING THE LINE TO FAIL, RELEASING ALL A/C REFRIGERANT TO THE ATMOSPHERE. AIR CONDITIONER IS NOW INOP PREVENTING PROPER OPERATION OF WINDSHIELD DEFOG.

NHTSA ODI #721291

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2000
Visibility

WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN & USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WHEN THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. LATER, THEY CAME BACK ON & THEN STOPPED ALTOGETHER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC FAILED TO LOOK AT WIPERS. INDICATED NO RECALL ON VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED A PROBLEM WITH THE SOLDER JOINT IN WIPER & IT …

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WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN & USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WHEN THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. LATER, THEY CAME BACK ON & THEN STOPPED ALTOGETHER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC FAILED TO LOOK AT WIPERS. INDICATED NO RECALL ON VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED A PROBLEM WITH THE SOLDER JOINT IN WIPER & IT WAS REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #858411

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO A EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, LEAKING BRAKE FLUID RESERVIOR CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #857553

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

PINION SEAL ON REAR DIFF. LEAKED AT 36K MILES, FUEL INJECTORS CLOGGED AT 40K AND INOPERABLE OXYGEN SENSOR. BATTERY LEAKED AT SIDE TERMINAL (38K MILES), CORRODED BATTERY CABLES AND SHELF. WINSHEILD WIPERS DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE STARTING POSITION WHEN TURNED OFF. CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STARTING THE VEHICLE. S…

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PINION SEAL ON REAR DIFF. LEAKED AT 36K MILES, FUEL INJECTORS CLOGGED AT 40K AND INOPERABLE OXYGEN SENSOR. BATTERY LEAKED AT SIDE TERMINAL (38K MILES), CORRODED BATTERY CABLES AND SHELF. WINSHEILD WIPERS DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE STARTING POSITION WHEN TURNED OFF. CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STARTING THE VEHICLE. STARTER WAS CHECKED AND IS O.K. PROBABLY ELECTRICAL, DUE TO LEAKING BATTERY OR A COMPUTER PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #718790

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