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
What owners actually said
200 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2000
Tires
PE 00 020/TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING BEFORE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION WHILE TRAVELING AT 55-60 MPH WITH ONLY THE DRIVER IN A 1997, GMC, SUBURBAN 2500; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, LT 245/75R16MS; DOT# VN1181A127. VEHICLE RECEIVED REAR END BODY DAMAGES AND FIRESTONE WAS NOTIFIED. TIRE WAS AVAILABE FOR…
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PE 00 020/TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING BEFORE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION WHILE TRAVELING AT 55-60 MPH WITH ONLY THE DRIVER IN A 1997, GMC, SUBURBAN 2500; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, LT 245/75R16MS; DOT# VN1181A127. VEHICLE RECEIVED REAR END BODY DAMAGES AND FIRESTONE WAS NOTIFIED. TIRE WAS AVAILABE FOR ANALYSIS. *AK TIRE STAYED INFLATED, HOWEVER 99% OF THE TREAD WAS GONE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #870080
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
BRAKE FAILURE @ 30MPH UNABLE TO STOP SHUDDERING HEARD AND BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR WITNESSES REPORT HEARING NOISES AND SEEING VEHICLE VIBRATE
NHTSA ODI #730877
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2000
Tires
TIRE SEPARATED AT 65 TO 70 MPH ON I-75 IN SOUTHERN GEORGIA. TIRE REMAINED INFLATED BUT THREW OFF BELT. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $1400. SPECIFIC DAMAGE: BENT AND TORE LOSE REAR HEATER AND A/C LINES WHICH RUN PARALLEL TO REAR WHEEL WELL. DESTROYED REAR HEATER /AC UNIT.BENT UP WHEEL WELL SHEETMETAL. BENT AND DINGED & SCRATCHED EXTERIO…
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TIRE SEPARATED AT 65 TO 70 MPH ON I-75 IN SOUTHERN GEORGIA. TIRE REMAINED INFLATED BUT THREW OFF BELT. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $1400. SPECIFIC DAMAGE: BENT AND TORE LOSE REAR HEATER AND A/C LINES WHICH RUN PARALLEL TO REAR WHEEL WELL. DESTROYED REAR HEATER /AC UNIT.BENT UP WHEEL WELL SHEETMETAL. BENT AND DINGED & SCRATCHED EXTERIOR ADJACENT SHEETMETAL . *AK( DOT NUMBER: NONE SHOWN TIRE SIZE: LT245/75R1 )
NHTSA ODI #730475
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2000
Power Train
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #730129
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2000
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
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.
NHTSA ODI #726839
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2000
Power Train
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CONTINUALLY REQUIRES REPAIRING. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #553016
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2000
Steering
WHEN DRIVING STEERING BECOME LOOSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. THERE WAS NO CONTROL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED A SPEED SENSORY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #864322
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2000
Electrical SystemEquipment
ACID WAS LEAKING FROM BATTERY TERMINAL. THUS FAR, DEALER HAD TO REPLACE A/C LINES AND BATTERY CABLE. CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN PE99-073.*AK
NHTSA ODI #864233
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2000
Electrical System
BATTERY CABLE FAILED, CAUSING SUBURBAN TO STOP IN TRAFFIC. CONTROL OF VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT DUE TO LACK OF POWER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #724300
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2000
Electrical System
CONSUMER OPENED HOOD AND NOTICED BATTERY ACID WAS LEAKING ON A/C CABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. 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.
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
1997 GMC Suburban Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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