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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

What owners actually said

172 reports
20,000 miles · Jul 1, 2003
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS SPEED CONTROL AS STATED IN RECALL 00 V 210 001; BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RCALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10026369

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2003
Tires

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD, 3 OUT OF 4 SCHWAB TIRES BLEW OUT IN THE SIDEWALL. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10017757

90,000 miles · Feb 28, 2003
Structure

THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND AS TIME WENT ON THE HANDLE BROKE OFF. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10009595

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVEING GM KNOWS OF PROBLEM AND HAS REPLACED INJECTION PUMP AND PUMP MOUNTED DRIVER 3 TIMES SO FAR GM SPECIAL POLICY C00064 FOR 11YRS OR 120000 MILES. THE SAME PROBLEMS STILL EXSIST I HAVE A 9 PASSENGER IN ORDER TO TAKE MY KIDS AND FRIENDS TO SPORTING EVENTS ON ONE SUCH OCCASTION. THE TRUCK SHUT OFF W…

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VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVEING GM KNOWS OF PROBLEM AND HAS REPLACED INJECTION PUMP AND PUMP MOUNTED DRIVER 3 TIMES SO FAR GM SPECIAL POLICY C00064 FOR 11YRS OR 120000 MILES. THE SAME PROBLEMS STILL EXSIST I HAVE A 9 PASSENGER IN ORDER TO TAKE MY KIDS AND FRIENDS TO SPORTING EVENTS ON ONE SUCH OCCASTION. THE TRUCK SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS BEHIND US THANK GOD HE WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND NO ONE WAS HURT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT IS NATION WIDE FOR 6.5 TURBO DIESEL OWNER. DT

NHTSA ODI #770216

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2002
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE IGNITON WAS OFF THE SWITCH ON THE DRIVERS DOOR FOR THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS SUDDENLY IGNITED . THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE CAR AND IN FACT THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN IN USE FOR OVER FIVE HOURS. LUCKILY OUR SON WENT OUT INTO THE GARAGE AND REPORTED BACK THAT THE CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE. WHEN I WENT OUT THE …

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WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE IGNITON WAS OFF THE SWITCH ON THE DRIVERS DOOR FOR THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS SUDDENLY IGNITED . THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE CAR AND IN FACT THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN IN USE FOR OVER FIVE HOURS. LUCKILY OUR SON WENT OUT INTO THE GARAGE AND REPORTED BACK THAT THE CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE. WHEN I WENT OUT THE FLAMES WERE ALREADY COMING UP THROUGH THE MELTED HOLES IN THE DOOR TRIM PANEL.

NHTSA ODI #766255

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2002
Power TrainCrash

VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO NEUTRAL FROM PARK WITHOUT VEHICLE RUNNING AND WITHOUT BRAKES PUSHED ON CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS WITH DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPEN INTO A POLE CAUSING DOOR TO BE DAMAGED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #764651

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2002
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #8014034

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2002
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS USE TO WORK AT DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT JUST THIS PAST JUNE, THEY STOPPED AND WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. *AK CONCERNING A SAFETY RECALL #98V150001. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK PERIODICALLY. (NOT WHEN CONSUMER NEEDS THEM) CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RE…

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WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS USE TO WORK AT DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT JUST THIS PAST JUNE, THEY STOPPED AND WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. *AK CONCERNING A SAFETY RECALL #98V150001. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK PERIODICALLY. (NOT WHEN CONSUMER NEEDS THEM) CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DIDN'T PERTAIN TO THIS VEHICLE. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8013816

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2002
Tires

TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM REST OF TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE. TIRE HAS BEEN SENT TO FIRESTONE FOR "INSPECTION" & THEY DETERMINED THERE WERE NO DEFECTS. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ANOTHER OPINION AS TO WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE TIRE FAILURE WAS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW MORE DETAILS ON PE 00040 ON THESE SPECIFIC…

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TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM REST OF TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE. TIRE HAS BEEN SENT TO FIRESTONE FOR "INSPECTION" & THEY DETERMINED THERE WERE NO DEFECTS. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ANOTHER OPINION AS TO WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE TIRE FAILURE WAS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW MORE DETAILS ON PE 00040 ON THESE SPECIFIC TIRES. I NOTICE THAT THE PE WAS CLOSED APRIL 2002 BUT I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY DETAILS ON THE INVESTIGATION OF THESE TIRES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #762155

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2002
Visibility

THIS VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING AS MENTIONED IN RECALL # 98-V-150-001. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8010225

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