IllustrationONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY OR SLOW SPEED. ALSO, STALLS WHILE MAKING A TURN/STOP POSITION/REVERSE OR WHILE PARKING. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON ELEVEN OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *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
What owners actually said
200 reportsTHERE IS A VISIBLE WATER LEAK FROM THE ROOF TO THE INSIDE OF THE REAR PART OF THE TRUCK, THIS MAKE A POOL INSIDE THE CAR OF ALMOST 1/2 AN INCH OF WATER. IT KEEPS THE CAR WITH A HUMID ATMOSPHERE AND VERY STRONG BAD ODORS DUE TO HUMIDITY, THIS AFFECTS ME MY WIFE AND MY THREE BABIES OF 2 YEAS AND 10 MONTHS OLD. WE ARE ALL THE TIM…
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THERE IS A VISIBLE WATER LEAK FROM THE ROOF TO THE INSIDE OF THE REAR PART OF THE TRUCK, THIS MAKE A POOL INSIDE THE CAR OF ALMOST 1/2 AN INCH OF WATER. IT KEEPS THE CAR WITH A HUMID ATMOSPHERE AND VERY STRONG BAD ODORS DUE TO HUMIDITY, THIS AFFECTS ME MY WIFE AND MY THREE BABIES OF 2 YEAS AND 10 MONTHS OLD. WE ARE ALL THE TIME SUFFERING WITH ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA SINCE WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK. WE KNOW OF TWO OTHER SUBURBANS HERE IN PUERTO RICO THAT HAS SUFFERED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER COVERS UP THESE, AND SAYS THEY NO NOTHING OBOUT IT. WHAT SHOULD I DO, HOW CAN I HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED... ???
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UP DUE TO A SHORT IN THE TANK ASSEMBLY. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP. *AK
THE VEHICLE HAS CONSUMES OIL AT APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART EVERY 600 MILES,NO LEAKS VISIBLE. THE DEALER WORKED ON THE OIL PROBLEM IN MAY BUT DID NOT FIX IT. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW IT HAS HAD A VIBRATION WHEN SPEEDS APPROACH 50 MILES PER HOUR AND INCREASES WITH MORE SPEED, NEW TIRES, CONTINUOUS BALANCING OF …
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THE VEHICLE HAS CONSUMES OIL AT APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART EVERY 600 MILES,NO LEAKS VISIBLE. THE DEALER WORKED ON THE OIL PROBLEM IN MAY BUT DID NOT FIX IT. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW IT HAS HAD A VIBRATION WHEN SPEEDS APPROACH 50 MILES PER HOUR AND INCREASES WITH MORE SPEED, NEW TIRES, CONTINUOUS BALANCING OF TIRES, DOES NOT HELP.
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT & APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ABS BRAKES FELT FUNNY. THEY FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. WENT OVER 40 FOOT EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE FRONT END NOSED INTO DIRT. DRIVER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. WAS WEARING SEAT BELT. *AK
STEERING 'SLIPS' WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT AND MOVING AT A MODERATE RATE OF SPEED. PROBLEM OCCURRED IN FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER TRIED TO FIX PROBLEM 3 TIMES BEFORE FINALLY SUCCEEDING. PROBLEM HAS NOW OCCURRED AGAIN, TWO YEARS LATER. HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED DEALER.
MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED 3 TIMES WITHIN 1YR. THE ABS BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN APPLIED. AT DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 8 TIMES FOR PROBLEM. THEY FIXED THE BRAKES EACH TIME & THEY ALWAYS FAILED. AN ONGOING PROBLEM. BRAKES ARE STILL NOT WORKING APPROPRIATELY.*AK
DESIGN OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT STOP EFFICIENTLY, REAR BRAKES ARE NOT MAKING ENOUGH CONTRACT WITH THE REAR DRUMS TO AID IN STOPPING, RESULTING BRAKE FADING AND DAMAGE TO ROTORS (WARPING). MJS
THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT SLOW SPEED 30 MPH OR LESS WHEN ONE TIRE WAS IN WATER. I HAVE HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES IN WET CONDITIONS WHEN A HARD BRAKING APPLICATION CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO JUNP UP AND DOWN. IT WOULD NOW APPEAR THAT ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES ARE WORKING NOW AS IT TAKES A HARD BREAK PEDAL TO STOP…
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THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT SLOW SPEED 30 MPH OR LESS WHEN ONE TIRE WAS IN WATER. I HAVE HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES IN WET CONDITIONS WHEN A HARD BRAKING APPLICATION CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO JUNP UP AND DOWN. IT WOULD NOW APPEAR THAT ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES ARE WORKING NOW AS IT TAKES A HARD BREAK PEDAL TO STOP THE TRUCK NORMALLY, AND THE FRONT ROTORS SEEM TO BE WARPED BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT. WHEN THIS INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO THE DELER THEY SAID A REAR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT WAS NEEDED EVERY OIL CHANGE EVEN THOUGH THESE BRAKES ARE SELF ADJUSTING. I HAVE OTHER FRIENDS WITH SUBURBANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS.
WHEN TURNING RIGHT, IT FEELS LIKE STEERING IS SLIPPING & LOSES CONTROL. WHEELS NOT RESPONDING WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING. WHEN TURNING LEFT, THE STEERING IS SOFT BUT OKAY. TAKING TO DEALER. *AK DEALER FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE IN THE POWER STEERIGN AND REPLACED IT, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING STILL FEELS MUSHY. *SLC
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