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 · Aug 28, 2000
Steering
AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH THE STEERING BECOMES UNSTABLE/LOOSE ESPECIALLY IN TURNS WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKS SUDDENLY IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE TURN. THE VEHICLE ALSO WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CAUSES OVERSTEERING WHEN CHANGING LANES. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION WHEN TOWING CAUSING THE TRAILER TO SWERVE BACK AND FOURTH. I …
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AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30 MPH THE STEERING BECOMES UNSTABLE/LOOSE ESPECIALLY IN TURNS WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKS SUDDENLY IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE TURN. THE VEHICLE ALSO WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CAUSES OVERSTEERING WHEN CHANGING LANES. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION WHEN TOWING CAUSING THE TRAILER TO SWERVE BACK AND FOURTH. I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE AND I AM PLANNING ON TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED/REPAIRED BUT BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE OWNED THREE GM TRUCKS (1989,1993 AND 1996) AND NONE HAS FELT AS UNSTABLE OR AS DANGEROUS AS THIS SUBURBAN. IF THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DO I HAVE ANY OTHER RECOURSE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM?
NHTSA ODI #729317
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
POTENTIAL FOR FUEL TANK TO EXPLODE. FUEL PUMP CONNECTED OVERHEATED, AND THE GREY WIRE MELTED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY CONNECTOR TO FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS TOO SMALL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #868581
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2000
Tires
PE00020, STEEL TEX AT WHICH WERE ORGINIALS ON THE 1997 CHEVROLET SUBARBAN, TIRE SIZE LT24575R16, DRIVER ON AUG 20, 1998 AT 9,000 MILES AND PASSENGER TIRE ON JUN, 1999 AT 19,980 MILES; THERE WAS A LONG CRACK DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE WHICH SEEMED THAT TIRE WAS SEPARATING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK FIRESTONE AT 2…
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PE00020, STEEL TEX AT WHICH WERE ORGINIALS ON THE 1997 CHEVROLET SUBARBAN, TIRE SIZE LT24575R16, DRIVER ON AUG 20, 1998 AT 9,000 MILES AND PASSENGER TIRE ON JUN, 1999 AT 19,980 MILES; THERE WAS A LONG CRACK DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE WHICH SEEMED THAT TIRE WAS SEPARATING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK FIRESTONE AT 245/75/R16 *MW
NHTSA ODI #868346
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
Electrical System
BATTERY ACID LEAK FROM POSTIVE POST; DAMAGE TO AC LINE, BRAKE LINES & FRAME
NHTSA ODI #728245
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2000
TiresCrashInjury
REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE BELTS CAUSING ENTIRE TREAD TO PEEL FROM CASING RESULTING IN SERIOUS ROLL OVER ACCIDENT.( DOT NUMBER: 0500 TIRE SIZE: LT24575R16 )
NHTSA ODI #728022
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2000
Electrical System
VEHICLE STOPPED/LOST ALL POWER DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. ONCE STOPPED AND IN "PARK" COULD RESTART. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES A DAY WITH NO WARNING. UPON DEALER INVESTIGATION, BATTERY ACID LEAK WHICH DESTROYED CABLES WAS REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS IN SHOP 1 1/2 MONTHS PRIOR FOR SAME PROBLEM, ALTERNATOR DEFECT STATED AT …
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VEHICLE STOPPED/LOST ALL POWER DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. ONCE STOPPED AND IN "PARK" COULD RESTART. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES A DAY WITH NO WARNING. UPON DEALER INVESTIGATION, BATTERY ACID LEAK WHICH DESTROYED CABLES WAS REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS IN SHOP 1 1/2 MONTHS PRIOR FOR SAME PROBLEM, ALTERNATOR DEFECT STATED AT THAT TIME. BATTERY 2 1/2 YRS OLD/ PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AT 11,000 MILES FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #727971
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2000
SeatsVisibility
CONSUMER STATED THAT EVERY OTHER TIME DRIVER'S SEAT BOLT WILL BECAME LOOSE AND TECHNICIAN WILL TIGHTED IT. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL QUIT WHILE BEING ON.*AK
NHTSA ODI #867743
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2000
Tires
WAS DRIVING 65MPH AND VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING. THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE. PULLED OVER & CHECKED THE TIRES. NOTICED LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD LOST TREAD. EXCHANGE TIRE WITH SPARE TIRE. TOOK TIRE TO FIRESTONE & RECEIVED A REPLACEMENT. DOES NOT HAVE THE TIRE OR DOT NUMBER. 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. FIRESTONE SIZE LT245/75R15 WITH 10,00…
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WAS DRIVING 65MPH AND VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING. THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE. PULLED OVER & CHECKED THE TIRES. NOTICED LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD LOST TREAD. EXCHANGE TIRE WITH SPARE TIRE. TOOK TIRE TO FIRESTONE & RECEIVED A REPLACEMENT. DOES NOT HAVE THE TIRE OR DOT NUMBER. 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. FIRESTONE SIZE LT245/75R15 WITH 10,000 MILES ON IT. *AK FIRESTONE 245/75/R16 *MW
NHTSA ODI #867706
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2000
Steering
STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY, CAUSING STEERING TO FLOAT FEELING LIKE A MOMENTARY LOSS OF STEERING FOR A SECOND. CONSUMER WROTE CHEVROLET A LETTER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #867676
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE DRIVING BRAKES OVERHEATED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO CRASH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THAT BRAKES OVERHEATED. MECHANIC SAID THAT IN STOP AND GO SITUATIONS BRAKES WILL OVERHEAT. CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS WAS VERY SCARY, AND WAS CONCERNED THAT COULD NOT STOP A VEHICLE. *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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