IllustrationWHILE APPLYING BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
1997 GMC Suburban
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 30 of 200 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 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
57 reportsWHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
VEHICLE HAS BEEN OWNED SINCE NEW. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WITH COMPLAINT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE STOPPING DISTANCES AND IT APPEARED ABS WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE BRAKE PERFORMANCE WAS "NORMAL". HAVING OWNED 30 VEHICLES OF ALL TYPES I DO NOT BELIEVE SAME. ALSO TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER…
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VEHICLE HAS BEEN OWNED SINCE NEW. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WITH COMPLAINT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE STOPPING DISTANCES AND IT APPEARED ABS WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE BRAKE PERFORMANCE WAS "NORMAL". HAVING OWNED 30 VEHICLES OF ALL TYPES I DO NOT BELIEVE SAME. ALSO TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WITH A COMPLAINT THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY VAGUE AND WOULD FEEL LIKE IT HAD A TIME DELAY. AGAIN WAS ADVISED STEERING WAS "NORMAL". DEALER TREATED COMPLAINANT LIKE THE PROVERBIAL VILLAGE IDIOT. NOW, THREE YEARS LATER I HAVE DISCOVERED I AM NOT THE ONLY VILLAGE IDIOT THAT OWNS A GMC SUBURBAN. I FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINTS I HAD. I JUST WANT TO VERIFY WHAT THEY HAVE REPORTED. RECENTLY THE VEHICLE'S COOLING SYSTEM HAS HAD NUMEROUS AND SEQUENTIAL LEAKS. THE DELAER SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS WHEN QUERIED ABOUT THE CONDITION.*AK
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, PEDAL SEEMS TO PULSATE AS IF ANTI-LOCK IS KICKING IN, AT ANY SPEED, AND DIFFICULT TO STOP VEHICLE.
THESE PROBLEMS DID NOT OCCUR FROM AN ACCIDENT, BUT RATHER THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE TRIED EVERY AVENUE TO GET GMC TO STAND BEHIND THEIR AUTOMOBILES AND PRODUCTS, BUT WERE TOLD IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. WE JUST WANT SOMEONE IN AUTHORITY TO HELP US WITH A CAR THAT IS A LEMON AND WAS A DANGER TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF ALL…
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THESE PROBLEMS DID NOT OCCUR FROM AN ACCIDENT, BUT RATHER THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE TRIED EVERY AVENUE TO GET GMC TO STAND BEHIND THEIR AUTOMOBILES AND PRODUCTS, BUT WERE TOLD IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. WE JUST WANT SOMEONE IN AUTHORITY TO HELP US WITH A CAR THAT IS A LEMON AND WAS A DANGER TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF ALL THE MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES. INCLUDING: STEERING WHEEL SENSOR WENT OUT ON A CURVE AT 45MPH, BRAKES WENT OUT AFTER ONLY 6 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, 2 ALTENATORS AND A BATTERY THAT WOULD HAVE LEFT MY WIFE AND TWO KIDS STRANDED, AIR CONDITIONER QUIT FUNCTIONING AT 20,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 45,000 MILES, O2 SENSORS WENT OUT AFTER THE TRANSMISSION, ALTENATOR WENT OUT AGAIN FOR THIRD TIME, THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WARRANTY WORK, BUT SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT WARRANTY SINCE IT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST AND SECOND TIME. AS YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE A VALID COMPLAINT. WHEN WE WENT TO TRY AND TRADE THE CAR OFF THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT A 2ND TIME AND WE COULD NOT TRADE THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALERSHIP IN OKLAHOMA CITY HAD A BUYER. THEY WERE AFRAID TO BUY A CAR WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS, SO WE ARE LEFT WITH A CAR THAT DOES'NT RUN 90 % OF THE TIME AND NO WAY OF GETTING RID OF IT. WE CAN'T EVEN GET THE LOAN AMOUNT OUT OF THE AUTO. WE REALLY NEED SOME HELP FIGURING OUT WHAT TO DO. YOUR TIME IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. KEN SUTTON. *AK
BRAKE FAILURE @ 30MPH UNABLE TO STOP SHUDDERING HEARD AND BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR WITNESSES REPORT HEARING NOISES AND SEEING VEHICLE VIBRATE
THE FRONT BRAKES OF THE SUBURBAN HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME WITH RAYBESTOS (LIFETIME WEAR) BRAKE SHOES. MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING VERY HARD, AS IF SOMEONE HAD REARENDED THE TRUCK AT A SLOW SPEED. I TOOK IT TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION'S FOR REPEARS. AAMCO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION, BUT DID'NT FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER $2…
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THE FRONT BRAKES OF THE SUBURBAN HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME WITH RAYBESTOS (LIFETIME WEAR) BRAKE SHOES. MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING VERY HARD, AS IF SOMEONE HAD REARENDED THE TRUCK AT A SLOW SPEED. I TOOK IT TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION'S FOR REPEARS. AAMCO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION, BUT DID'NT FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER $2200.00 AND THE FIFTH ATTEMT TO FIX THE PROBLEM I TOOK IT TO A GMC DEALER AND THEY ACTUALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME FOR $308.
ORIGINAL GM BATTERY (SIDE POST STYLE) LEAKED ACID ONTO STEEL BRAKE LINE CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING SYSTEM PLUS MAXIMUM CORROSSION OF UNDERSIDE OF TRUCK..WE WERE COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEM UNTIL WE TRIED TO GO TO WORK IN THE TRUCK AND FOUND NO BRAKES,,HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THHE HIGHWAY AT ANY GREAT SPEED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A …
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ORIGINAL GM BATTERY (SIDE POST STYLE) LEAKED ACID ONTO STEEL BRAKE LINE CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING SYSTEM PLUS MAXIMUM CORROSSION OF UNDERSIDE OF TRUCK..WE WERE COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEM UNTIL WE TRIED TO GO TO WORK IN THE TRUCK AND FOUND NO BRAKES,,HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THHE HIGHWAY AT ANY GREAT SPEED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR CATASTROPHY..NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP OR GM TAKES THIS SERIOUS PLUS WE ARE OUT THE COST OF THE REPAIRS AND THE VEHICLE OUT OF SERVICE..OF
WHEN DRIVING ON DRY PAVENT AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, IT'S LIKE CONSUMER IS BRAKING HARD, AND THE THE BRAKES WILL GRAB FOR A SECOND AND RELEASE AND THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE ROLLING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
WAS TRAVELING 25-30 MPH AND BECAUSE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC HAD STOPPED SUDDENLY. HAD APPLIED BRAKES. HAD NO BRAKES. COULD FEEL ABS KICKING IN, BUT NOTHING HAPPENING. VEHICLE WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. TURNED VEHICLE & JUMPED CURB & HIT LIGHT POLE. AIR BAG DEPLOYED. VEHCLE FINALLY STOPPED. *AK
Official recalls
203V159000 · 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.
03V093000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior
Mar 7, 2003
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
5EA02006 · 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.
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.
PE98060 · Erratic Steering Boost While Driving
Opened Nov 13, 1998 · Closed May 12, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ALLEGED THAT THE VARIABLE EFFORT STEERING UNIT INTERMITTENTLY PROVIDES FULL BOOST TOT HE POWER STEERING GEAR AT MODERATE TO HIGH SPEEDS.
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