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: 76 of 414 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.
Steering. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
22 crash reports13 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
414 reports
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2001
Tires
I PURCHASED THIS SUBURBAN USED FROM VALENCIA NISSAN WITH 23,000 MILES ON IT. THEY STATED THE TIRES WERE NEW AT THAT TIME. ON THE INDICATED DATE, I WAS TOWING A TRAVEL TRAILER ON THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH, THE TRUCK STARTED TO RATTLE THEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. I SAFELY STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER. I HAD MY WIFE, 4YR OLD & 2YR O…
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I PURCHASED THIS SUBURBAN USED FROM VALENCIA NISSAN WITH 23,000 MILES ON IT. THEY STATED THE TIRES WERE NEW AT THAT TIME. ON THE INDICATED DATE, I WAS TOWING A TRAVEL TRAILER ON THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH, THE TRUCK STARTED TO RATTLE THEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. I SAFELY STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER. I HAD MY WIFE, 4YR OLD & 2YR OLD IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRE, THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE IN THE SAME FASHION THAT THE RECALLED FIRESTONE TIRES DID. I WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS SET OF TIRES WAS ALSO UNDER RECALL. I WOULD LIKE IF YOU COULD CALL ME REGARDING THIS MATTER. THANK YOU.*AK (DOT NUMBER: V611B1A TIRESIZE: 245/75R16)
NHTSA ODI #746015
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2001
Electrical System
I THINK CHEVROLET SHOULD PAY FOR THIS FACTORY DEFECT WHICH COST ME $160. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #745052
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2001
Steering
I HAVE A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE FROM 1999 STATING NHTSA INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM IN 1997 TO 1999 GMC VEHICLES. YOUR DATA BASE SHOWS NO COMPLAINTS, BUT THE ARTICLE STATED 76 COMPLAINTS IN 1999 AND 4 CRASHES. THERE MUST BE MORE BY NOW, AND THE REPLACEMENT ELECTRONICALLY VARIABLE ORIFICE THAT WAS REPLACED IN MY VEHICLE HAS FAILED AG…
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I HAVE A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE FROM 1999 STATING NHTSA INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM IN 1997 TO 1999 GMC VEHICLES. YOUR DATA BASE SHOWS NO COMPLAINTS, BUT THE ARTICLE STATED 76 COMPLAINTS IN 1999 AND 4 CRASHES. THERE MUST BE MORE BY NOW, AND THE REPLACEMENT ELECTRONICALLY VARIABLE ORIFICE THAT WAS REPLACED IN MY VEHICLE HAS FAILED AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #744781
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2001
Power Train
JURKS INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM FIRST TO SECOND INTERMITTENTLY, INFORMED BY 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND DEALER THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #744631
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2001
Steering
POWER STEERING HYDROBOOST UNIT SURGES, MAKES STEERING WHEEL JERK IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #886778
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
TRUCK STALLS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY DEFECT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. ACCIDENTS AVOIDED THUS FAR, BUT NEXT TIME, I MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. PLEASE POST THESE COMMENTS, TO WARN OTHER CONSUMERS. GMC IS DENYING RESPONSIBILITY, HAS FLATLY REFUSED TO REPURCHAS…
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TRUCK STALLS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY DEFECT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. ACCIDENTS AVOIDED THUS FAR, BUT NEXT TIME, I MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. PLEASE POST THESE COMMENTS, TO WARN OTHER CONSUMERS. GMC IS DENYING RESPONSIBILITY, HAS FLATLY REFUSED TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE, AND CONTINUES TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS THING...ME AND MY PASSENGERS(VERY OFTEN A TROOP OF GIRL SCOUTS) ARE IN DANGER, AND SO IS ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HOPE THAT NO ONE DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. PLEASE HELP ME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #744310
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2001
Power Train
OUR SUBURBAN IS 3 1/2 YEARS OLD AND JUST WENT OVER THE 50,000 MILE MARK WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON IT. WE HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SEAT COMING LOOSE. IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED ONCE BUT CAME LOOSE AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS. I'M CONCERNED THAT IF THE CAR WAS EVER IN A CRASH THE SEAT WOULD NOT HOLD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #744231
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2001
Power Train
HARD SHIFT BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS; SLIPPAGE IN TRANS. PRODUCING HEAT/SMELL; MUCH METAL/DEBRIS IN BOTTOM OF TRANS. FROM FAILING COMPONENTS; MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN PRODUCTION/ASSEMBLY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #743444
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2001
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other
SENDING UNIT IN FUEL TANK SHORTED OUT. *AK CONSUMER STATES IGNITION SWITCH ALSO FAILED. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #883300
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2001
Steering
WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE TRAVELED OUT OF CONTROL DUE TO STEERING SENSOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*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.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
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
5
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.
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
EA99011 · Erratic Power Steering Assist While Driv
Opened May 12, 1999 · Closed Feb 27, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS INVESTIGATED ALLEGATIONS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR DETAILS AND A BASIS FOR THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS, PLEASE SEE THE CLOSING REPORT IN THE EA99-011 PUBLIC FILE.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.FUTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS SUBJECT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ENGINEERING IS CLOSED.
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
1997 Chevrolet Suburban Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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