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 reports
102,000 miles · Aug 4, 2004
SeatsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK DECLINED BACKWARDS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE, AND VEHICLE SERVED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE OUT OF THE DITCH, AND DRIVE THE HOME. CONSUMER BACK, LOWER NECK AREA, AND CHEST WERE SORE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE PARKED IN…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK DECLINED BACKWARDS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE, AND VEHICLE SERVED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE OUT OF THE DITCH, AND DRIVE THE HOME. CONSUMER BACK, LOWER NECK AREA, AND CHEST WERE SORE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE PARKED IN CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10087151
97,000 miles · Jun 3, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET TWICE NOW FOR MY 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. BOTH TIMES IT HAS COST ME OVER $650.00. BOTH MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THEY SEE THESE AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK ON THE 5.7 ENGINES. THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG. THEY ACTUALLY LAUGHED WHEN I ASKED THEM IF IT WAS SET UP AS A RECALL ITEM FOR THIS ENG…
Read full complaint
I HAVE REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET TWICE NOW FOR MY 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. BOTH TIMES IT HAS COST ME OVER $650.00. BOTH MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THEY SEE THESE AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK ON THE 5.7 ENGINES. THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG. THEY ACTUALLY LAUGHED WHEN I ASKED THEM IF IT WAS SET UP AS A RECALL ITEM FOR THIS ENGINE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10074735
50,000 miles · May 24, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
FAN SWITCH LOCATED ON THE DASHBOARD THAT CONTROLLED THE AIR VENTILATION MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SWITCH AND THE WIRING HARNESS TWICE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A HIGH DEMAND PART. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10074113
115,000 miles · May 17, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE OWNED 2 1996-1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN AND HAVE HAD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK ON BOTH AT ABOUT 85000 MILES. I DID A LITTLE LOCAL RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE VORTEC 5.7 ENGINE. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE ENGINE AREA, THE SERVICE WRITER SAID THIS WAS MOST LIKE…
Read full complaint
I HAVE OWNED 2 1996-1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN AND HAVE HAD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK ON BOTH AT ABOUT 85000 MILES. I DID A LITTLE LOCAL RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE VORTEC 5.7 ENGINE. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE ENGINE AREA, THE SERVICE WRITER SAID THIS WAS MOST LIKELY THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAUSE THEY GET THAT ALL THE TIME. TOAY, I NOTICED A COOLANT PUDDLE IN MY DRIVE WAY AND UPON LOOKING INTO IT, MY LATEST 1996 SUBURBAN WITH A VORTEC 5.7 IS LEAKING AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS IS A COSTLY PROBLEM TO THE CONSUMER. IT COSTS APPROXIMATELY $500.00 TO HAVE THIS DONE. I NOW MUST MAKE THE DECISSION TO HAVE IT FIXED AT THE DEALER FOR $500 OR TO DO IT MYSELF FOR ABOUT $150.00 AND A DAY OF HEADACHES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10072711
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2004
Service Brakes, AirTires
ANTI LOCKS SYSTEM KICKS IN AT ALMOST EVERY STOP. STARTS TO VIBRATE AT 4 TO 5 MPH. AT DIAGNOSTIC BEFORE WE COULDN'T GET A READING PERIOD, IT WAS ON LIFT STANDING STILL. *AK ABS WAS READIND MOVING AT 3MPH.
NHTSA ODI #10068494
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2004
Tires
DOT CCFJ VMP 2801 DELTA TIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATING. RETAIL WILL NOT PRO-RATE P265 75R15. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10067839
125,567 miles · Mar 20, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, SIDE MIRROR REMOTE CONTROL IN DRIVERS DOOR PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. I TORE OUT THE PANEL AND CUT THE WIRES TO REMOVE IT BEFORE THE TRUCK CAUGHT COMPLETELY ON FIRE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10062711
89,200 miles · Jan 14, 2004
Steering
WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10054059
89,200 miles · Jan 14, 2004
Steering
WHILE BRAKING VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10054048
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2003
Electrical System
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CUT OFF. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER/MECHANIC, AND EACH TIME WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE NEEDED NEW BATTERY CABLES. THE BATTERY CABLES WERE REPLACED TWICE, BUT VEHICLE KEPT DOING THE SAME THING. *AK
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.
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.
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
1996 Chevrolet Suburban Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration