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1996 GMC Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 172 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 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

8 reports
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197,446 miles · Feb 10, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON THE GMC 6.5 THE PMD, OR PUMP MOUNTED DRIVER FAILS DUE TO HEAT FAILURE, ALSO FAILING FOR NO REASON IN 8 DEGREE TEMPERATURES. WHEN IT FAILS THERE ARE NO SIGNS, WARNINGS JUST STALLING THE POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES GONE. NOW PUT YOURSELF ON A 2 MILE HILL OF AN INSANE DESCENT, AND YOURSELF BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL WHAT WOULD Y…

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ON THE GMC 6.5 THE PMD, OR PUMP MOUNTED DRIVER FAILS DUE TO HEAT FAILURE, ALSO FAILING FOR NO REASON IN 8 DEGREE TEMPERATURES. WHEN IT FAILS THERE ARE NO SIGNS, WARNINGS JUST STALLING THE POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES GONE. NOW PUT YOURSELF ON A 2 MILE HILL OF AN INSANE DESCENT, AND YOURSELF BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL WHAT WOULD YOU DO? THIS IS INSANITY THAT THE DEALERSHIP WILL ONLY HELP YOU IF THERE IS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON YOUR CAR, AND THEN ALL THEY DO IS REPLACE THE PUMP, WHEN THE PUMP ISN'T THE PROBLEM ITS THE PUMP MOUNTED DRIVER. I PERSONALLY HAVE SPOKEN TO AND BEEN TO THE MANUFACTURERS AND THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM, THIS IS THE MANUFACTURER! BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW AFTER 11 YEARS NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, ONLY A RIP AND REPLACE, AND IF THERE'S TO MANY MILES TO BAD FOR YOU. I HAVE TRIED ALMOST EVERY AFTER MARKET SOLUTION OUT THERE AND THESE MANUFACTURERS TOO ARE BAFFLED ABOUT THIS SITUATION. SO WHY IF THERE IS NO PROBLEM ARE THERE A DOZEN BUSINESS MAKING MONEY OFF OF TRYING TO FIX THE MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM? IF THE MANUFACTURER DOESN'T HAVE TO TAKE THE BLAME THAN WHO DOES? THE FAMILY OF 7 THAT WROTE IN? WHEN THEY DIE IS SOMETHING GOING TO BE DONE , BECAUSE ITS NOT A MATTER OF IF, ITS A MATTER OF WHEN, AND I HOPE THAT DAY NEVER HAPPENS. BUT I HOPE THAT MORE THAN THE FAMILY HAS TROUBLE SLEEPING BECAUSE I FEEL BETTER FOR TRYING TO AVOID THIS CATASTROPHE. THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME. SINCERELY CONCERNED, JON LAMB

NHTSA ODI #10182187

90,000 miles · Mar 5, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE TWO GMC VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ENGINE, A GAS 5.7L V8, THAT REQUIRED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACEMENT WITHIN ONE MONTH OF EACH OTHER. THE FIRST VEHICLE IS A 1996 1500 SUBURBAN WITH 90,000 MILES. THE OTHER IS A 1998 K1500 PICKUP WITH 80,000 MILES. BOTH LEAKS OCCURRED AT THE REAR OF THE BOTTOM INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MECHANIC…

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I HAVE TWO GMC VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ENGINE, A GAS 5.7L V8, THAT REQUIRED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACEMENT WITHIN ONE MONTH OF EACH OTHER. THE FIRST VEHICLE IS A 1996 1500 SUBURBAN WITH 90,000 MILES. THE OTHER IS A 1998 K1500 PICKUP WITH 80,000 MILES. BOTH LEAKS OCCURRED AT THE REAR OF THE BOTTOM INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MECHANIC PERFORMING THE REPAIR STATES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH HIS SHOP PERFORMING APPROXIMATELY 5-6 A MONTH IN A TOWN OF ONLY 30,000. THE DEALER DENIES ANY GENERIC PROBLEM. INSPECTION OF THE GASKET IMPLIES A TEMPERATURE RELATED PROBLEM OF THE GASKET BODY THAT UNDERMINES THE SEAL RIDGE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10060514

87,947 miles · Jan 6, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, DieselFuel System, Other

WE HAVE A 1996 6.5 TURBO DIESEL GMC SUBURBAN. WE HAD SEVERE STALLING PROBLEMS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AT THEIR COST AND INSTALLED AT OUR COST, NEW GLOW PLUGS, GLOW PLUG SENSOR, BATTERY, AND BATTERY CABLES SUSPECTED TO BE THE PROBLEM. IT CONTINUED TO STALL. WE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE PUMP AGAIN…

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WE HAVE A 1996 6.5 TURBO DIESEL GMC SUBURBAN. WE HAD SEVERE STALLING PROBLEMS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AT THEIR COST AND INSTALLED AT OUR COST, NEW GLOW PLUGS, GLOW PLUG SENSOR, BATTERY, AND BATTERY CABLES SUSPECTED TO BE THE PROBLEM. IT CONTINUED TO STALL. WE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE PUMP AGAIN AT THEIR COST, BUT WE HAD TO PAY TO DROP THE TANK TO CHECK FOR CONTAMINATION. THERE WAS A DETERIORATED SCREEN WE PAID TO REPLACE. IT STILL STALLED. ONLY THIS TIME IT STALLED WHEN I WAS GOING 50 MPH AND APPROACHING CURVES ALONG THE RIVER. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. ME AND MY FIVE YOUNG KIDS ALMOST ENDED UP IN THE RIVER. HAD IT BEEN NORMAL WINTER ROADS, WE WOULD HAVE. ALL ALONG WE'VE DONE RESEARCH AND HAD IT REDIAGNOSED BY A PROFESSIONAL DIESEL MECHANIC, SO WE KNEW TO TELL OUR DEALER (AUTOMALL IN BRATTLEBORO VERMONT) TO REPLACE THE PUMP MOUNTED DRIVER (PMD) SOMETIMES CALLED A FUEL SOLENOID DRIVER (FSD). AFTER PROBLEMS WHERE AUTOMALL TRIED TO RIP US OFF FOR A FAKE $100 DEDUCTIBLE, THEY WILL INSTALL IT AT NO CHARGE TOMORROW (1/7/04). WE HAVE DRIVEN JUST OVER 1000 MILES TOTAL. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. FROM ALL THE RESEARCH WE'VE DONE, WEVE DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE SAME DANGEROUS ACCOUNTS OF STALLING. SEVERAL REPORT HAVING ALMOST HAD SERIOUS ACCIDENTS LIKE I HAD TWO DAYS AGO. ACCORDING TO RESEARCH, PMD FAILURES ARE THE MOST COMMON PART TO FAIL ON GM 6.5 DIESELS. THE PMD OVERHEATS BECAUSE OF PLACEMENT NEAR THE ENGINE. THERE IS A SIMPLE, YET COSTLY FIX THAT CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO BE SAFE. A PUMP DRIVER COOLER (PDC) CAN MOUNT ON THE FIREWALL (NOT THE ENGINE) TO MOVE THE PMD AWAY FROM THE HEAT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ISSUE A RECALL TO INSTALL PDC'S ON THESE ENGINES SO WE CAN ONCE AGAIN BE SAFE IN OUR VEHICLES. MY FAMILY OF 7 CANT AFFORD ANOTHER STALL, ESPECIALLY DURING THESE WINTER MONTHS, AND NEW PDCS ALONE CANT GUARANTEE SAFETY. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10052489

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE WILL STALL WHEN COMING TO A STOP, HAS ALSO STALLED ONCE AT 60 MPH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #895760

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE DIES. WHEN TAKEN TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY. GM DEALERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE GM DEALER 4 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836142

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE GOING AT ANY SPEED/ AN ANY OCCASION, AND IN ANY WEATHER. REDUCED FUEL CONSUMPTION EFFICIENCY. DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #835442

Mileage unknown · May 27, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

UPON APPYING THE ABS BRAKES IN LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED 3THREE TIMES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONCE RESULTING IN A CRASH/INJURIES. ALSO, REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #810831

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

RADIATOR FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #602644

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

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.

PE00017 · Headlight

Opened Apr 11, 2000 · Closed Sep 26, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

BASED ON THE REPORTS RECEIVED BY ODI FROM CONSUMERS, FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT FROM REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OFTHE TILT STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY STRAIN THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, RESULTING IN THE UNANTICIPATED LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.ODI HAS CONCERNS REGARDING THE HIGH RATE OF WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR PROBLEMS POTENTIALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WITH THE RECOGNITION THE EACH INCIDENT OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE REPRESENTS A CONDITION OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT.IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER'S EVALUATION OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED, AND THIS OFFICE HAS INTEREST IN THE DETAILS OF THE METHODOLOGIES AND RESULTS OF THAT ASSESSMENT.

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

PE99073 · Battery Leaks Acid

Opened Dec 3, 1999 · Closed May 2, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

ODI HAS RECEIVED 21 COMPLAINTS WHERE OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THE STANDARD GM FACTORY SUPPLIED AC DELCO BATTERY CASE FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LEAKAGE OF SULFURIC ACID.OF THE 21 COMPLAINT VEHICLES, SIX SUBURBAN, THREE TAHOES, AND ONE YUKON OWNER(S) COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM DETERIORATION OF THE RIGHT FRONTBRAKE LINE AS A RESULT OF SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION.THE REMAINING 11 COMPLAINTS PERTAIN PRIMARILY TO SULFURIC ACID LEAKAGE FROM THE BATTERY CASE.AT LEAST ONE COMPLAINANT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY ALSO FAILED.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS NOTE THAT THE LEAKING ACID HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH A WIRE HARNESS AT THE FRAME IN THE VICINITY OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINE.A FIELD INSPECTION BY ODI INDICATES THAT THE DESCRIBED HARNESS IS THE ABS CONNECTION TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR.PRIOR TO THE BATTERY CASE FAILURE, THERE IS USUALLY NO WARNING (SHORT OF AN UNDERHOOD INSPECTION), AND THE ENSURING DAMAGE (SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION) IS PROGRESSIVE.OF THE KNOWN BATTERY FAILURES, THERE MAY BE A TEMPERATURE CORRELATION, AS 60% OF THE OWNER COMPLAINTS CAME FROM FOUR STATES; CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA AND TEXAS.THERE IS ALSO A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND ENGINEERING CHANGE NOTICE TO ADD 1% SILVER TO THE BATTERY'S POSITIVE SIDE TERMINALL, WITH THE EARLIEST IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR THIS BEING FEB 2, 1998.THE EFFECT OF THIS DESIGN CHANGE IS AS YET UNKNOWN; FURTHER REVIEW IS WARRANTED.AN EA IS BEING OPENED TO GATHER FURTHER APPROPRIATE INFORMATION, CLARIFY ANY DEFECT TRENDS, AND TO ASSESS THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS AND RISKS CONCERNING THESE FAILURES.

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