1993 Chevrolet Suburban

High concern

Owners filed 499 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip328
76021
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer18
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor16
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components16
101
Tires › Tread/Belt13
201
Service Brakes, Air › Antilock12
803
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor9
000
Tires5
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly5
000
Vehicle Speed Control4
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages01I006000
Filed Jul 2, 2001255,770 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1992-1994 CHEVROLET AND GMC SUBURBANS EQUIPPED WITH VACUUM POWER-BRAKE ASSIST AND EBC4 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) MODULES. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT POOR BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE.

Risk. THIS COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO BRAKE PEDAL FEEL.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BRAKE PEDAL PAD. IN ADDITION, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE-BOOSTER OUTPUT ROD AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Seat Belts
Filed Nov 25, 2008154,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE AN OCCUPANT WAS ATTEMPTING TO STRAP HERSELF IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT, THE BUCKLE FELL OFF IN HER HAND. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER TEN YEARS OLD. THE DEALER COULD MAKE REPAIRS AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $400. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 154,000.

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Dec 5, 2007252,000 milesIL

REAR UPPER SHOCK BRACKET. CRACKED AND FELL OFF VEHICLE- WITH DOING INSPECTION OF WELDS, ALSO FOUND THAT THE REAR FRAME STRESS FRACTURE CRACKS. GOING FROM SHOCK BRACKETS BACK TO THE GAS TANK. SECOND COMPLAINT: DRIVERSEAT MOUNTING BRACKET, CRACKED CAUSING SEAT TO BE UNSTABLE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Oct 17, 200782,000 milesWA

DURING ALL KINDS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, TWICE CAUSING A REAR END ACCIDENT. DURING A HARD BRAKING SITUATION WHEN ON DRY PAVEMENT, OR ANY BRAKING CONDITION ON WET PAVEMENT THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED AND THEY GRAB AND THEN RELEASE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT COMPLETELY STOPPING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO MANY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS AND INDEPENDENT SHOPS FOR REPAIR AND BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED WITH COMPLETE BRAKE REBUILDS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO IMPROVEMENT IN STOPPING ABILITIES. THIS MODEL VEHICLE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE BEEN RECALLED SHORTLY AFTER MANUFACTURE. THERE IS SO MUCH DOCUMENTATION THAT THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM THAT THIS AGENCY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF NOT FORCING A RECALL FOR REPAIRS OR COMPLETE REDESIGN OF THE BRAKING SYSTEMS. THE MINOR RECALL AND"FIX" OF THE BRAKE-BOOSTER OUTPUT ROD WERE A JOKE AND NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED AS A FIX. THE EXCUSE CHEVROLET USES THAT IT IS A "BRAKE PEDAL FEEL" THAT IS THE PROBLEM IS INEXCUSABLE AND IRRESPONSIBLE. I HAVE BEEN A PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER (CLASS "A" CDL WITH ALL ENDORSEMENTS) AND MECHANIC AND HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL OTHER MAKES OF LARGE HEAVY PASSENGER TRUCKS AND SUV'S WITH ABS BRAKING AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY TYPE OF VEHICLE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 26, 2007192,000 milesCA

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE'S FUEL LEVEL WAS AT A MAXIMUM LEVEL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED , AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE FUEL PUMP. HE OBSERVED MELTED COMPONENTS INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP. GM STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS, AND ASSURED THE CONTACT THAT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. GM ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT VIA EMAIL ON 3/26/07 WHICH RESULTED IN GM SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER 71-498273756. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THEY HAD REPLACED 10 FUEL PUMPS , AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 192,000. *AK

Trailer HitchesCrash
Filed Jul 22, 2004120,840 milesVA

WHILE TOWING MY 25 FOOT CAMPING TRAILER BEHIND MY CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, THE RECEIVER HITCH (MANUFACTURED BY DRAWTITE) BROKE AWAY CAUSING MY TRAILER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD, ACROSS A GRASSY AREA, COMING TO REST ONLY AFTER HITTING A VDOT FENCE , FENCE POLE AND A TREE. UPON EXAMINATION THE CENTER SECTION OF THE HITCH BAR HAD BROKE AWAY AND WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE TRAILER TONGUE, COMPLETE WITH SAFETY CHAINS, WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING BARS AND THE ELECTRIC BRAKE "BREAK-A-WAY" SWITCH ACTIVATOR CABLE WAS STILL ATTACHED. BOTH SIDES OF THE HITCH WERE STILL SECURED TO THE SUBURBAN. THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND CAME TO THE SCENE. THE TROOPER CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK, WHO HAD TO WINCH THE TRAILER BACK ONTO THE PAVEMENT, THEN TRANSPORT THE TRAILER TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRAILER. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE SUBURBAN, OTHER THAN THE BROKEN HITCH. THE TRAILER IS CURRENTLY AT THE REPAIR FACILITY AND THE SUBURBAN IS AT MY HOME AWAITING MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO SEND AN ADJUSTER OUT TO SURVEY THE DAMAGE AND MAKE AN ESTIMATE. AT THIS TIME, ALL THE PARTS ARE EITHER AT THE REPAIR FACILITY OF STILL ON MY SUBURBAN AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THROUGH THE DRAWTITE WEB SITE, THAT THEY HAVE A LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THEIR PRODUCTS.*JB

Steering
Filed Jun 4, 2004152,825 milesMD

WHEN MAKING A TURN AT HIGH SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL/BRAKES LOCKED UP TEMPORARILY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Filed May 27, 2004169,300 milesNV

THE SPARE TIRE INSIDE THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE TIRE MFR. WAS GENERAL TIRE. AMERI 550AS LT245/75R16. DOT#AD11C9B153. *NM

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 2004120,000 milesTX

MY SUBURBAN HAS DEVELOPED A PECULIAR PROBLEM THAT HAS LEFT EVEN THE DEALERSHIPS COMPLETELY CLUELESS!!! THE ENGINE HEATS UP TO ABOUT 180 F (STILL LESS THAN THE MID POINT ON THE GUAGE) AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS OF DRIVING -- THIS IS QUITE NORMAL. IF WE STOP AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START! WE HAVE TO WAIT A COUPLE OF HOURS WHILE THE ENGINE COOLS OFF TO ABOUT 160 F, AND IT STARTS UP JUST FINE. WE ONLY NOTICED THIS SINCE WE WERE ON A LONG CROSS COUNTRY DRIVE. THE PROBLEM IS ENTIRELY PREDICTABLE, AND WE HAD TO PLAN ON TWO HOUR STOPS DURING OUR TRIP. WE EVEN DROVE STRAIGHT TO A DEALERSHIP IN RALEIGH AFTER STRAIGHT 6 HOUR DRIVES SO THAT THEY COULD SEE AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM -- BUT THEY WERE COMPLETELY STUMPED. I WOULD LIKE CHEVROLET TO HELP DIAGNOSE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE ABS MODULE FAILED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. ONE MOMENT THE BREAKS WERE FINE, THE NEXT WE WERE FLOORING THE BREAK PEDAL AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. THE MECHANICS HAD TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT REPLACING THE UNIT ($1200 FOR THE UNIT ITSELF). THIS PROBLEM SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE ISSUE INVESTIGATED IN 1992-1995 SUBURBANS. I AM SURPRISED THAT THE RECALL WAS LIMITED TO THE LIGHTER SUVS ONLY -- A DECISION BASED ON COST (MOST PROBABLY). IT STANDS TO REASON THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE MORE CRITICAL IN HEAVIER VEHICLES.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jan 8, 2004118,000 milesPA

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER QUITS WORKING WHEN IN USE. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR 03V159000, BUT THE MODEL YEAR WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. *PH *CB *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Nov 12, 200312,000 milesAL

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT INTO THE RETRACTOR. *AK CONSUMER NOTED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY LEAVING IT USELESS IN A CRASH. *PH *NLM

Tires
Filed Oct 31, 200370,000 milesMN

CONSUMER NOTICED THREE TIRES EXPERIENCED FAILURES. THE TWO REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, AND THE PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE DEVELOPED CRACKS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURUE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Sep 24, 2003120,000 milesAL

PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT INTO RETRACTOR. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Sep 11, 2003CA

CONSUMER STATES WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, SOMETIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK, AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT WORK. WHEN THE INDICATOR IS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK. THEN, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN CONSUMER CANNOT TURN THEM OFF. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND RECEIVED A RECALL ON CHEVROLET, SUBURBAN,1994, BUT CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON HER CHEVROLET, SUBURBAN,1993. HUSBAND HAS NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE, BUT SHE HAS.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Sep 4, 2003KS

1993 CHEVROLET PU VIN # [XXX] AND 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN VIN # [XXX] BOTH VEHICLES HAVE FAULTY WIPERS. THE 1999 ALSO HAD THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM GO OUT. THE WIPERS WILL WORK AND THAN SUDDENLY STOP. YEARS 1994-1997 HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY GM, BUT GM WON'T HONOR THE RECALL FOR THESE 2 YEARS. THIS IS JUST AS MUCH OF A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE 1994-1997. I DID TALK TO A MANGER BY THE NAME OF JACK CUNNINGHAM AT PHONE # 866 942 4368 X48470 CASE # ASSIGNED IS 1-134580923 AND 1-135719603. HE ADVISED ME ON 8-29-2003 THAT IF MY VEHICLES ARE EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE RECALL, THAN THEY WILL HONOR THE RECALL ON MY 2 VEHICLES. IT IS COVERED UNDER A SPECIAL POLICY. I CALLED [XXX] AT [XXX] 785 266 5151 AND HE NEEDED TO TALK TO [XXX] TO GET CONFIRMATION THE VEHICLES ARE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. AS OF TODAY 9-04-2003, NEITHER [XXX] OR MYSELF CAN GET A CALL BACK FROM JACK. I CALLED THE 800 CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AT GM AND THEY SAID THE RECALL IS ONLY FOR THE 1994-1997 VEHICLES. I ADVISED THEM I TALKED TO [XXX] AND THEY TRANSFERRED ME TO HIS AUDIX AGAIN. I FEEL THE RECALL NOW NEEDS TO BE ISSUED FOR THE 1993 AND THE 1999 VEHICLES AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jul 24, 200313,700 milesMI

INTERMITTENTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. *AK *SCC *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jul 22, 2003112,000 milesPA

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT BACK INTO COMPONENT. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 9, 2003CO

ABS FAILS ON UNEVEN SURFACES, SUCH AS WASHBOARD ROADS AND WHEN HITTING BUMPS DURING BRAKING. ABS PERFORM POORLY IN MOST CONDITIONS, INCLUDING DRY PAVEMENT. THEY DO PROVIDE SOME BENEFIT ON SNOW/ICE. HOWEVER, MY ABS HAS NOW FAILED AND OVERALL BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS BETTER. THIS SYSTEM, AND THE LOGIC IN THE CONTROLLER, NEED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES. *JB

Tires › Tread/BeltCrash
Filed May 22, 2003FL

TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE RIGHT REAR COOPER 31X1050R15 TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CAUSING MY CHEVROLET SUBURBAN TO ROLLOVER 1 AND 1/2 TIMES. THESE TIRES WERE 21 MONTHS OLD, WITH APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES ON THEM. THEY WERE ROTATED EVERY 3000 MILES, THE CAR WAS ALIGNED EVERY SIX MONTHS AND I CHECKED THE PRESSURE REGULARLY. I HAD A TREAD SEPARATION WITH MY PREVIOUS COOPER 30X950R15. THE DEALER SAID MY LOAD WAS EXCESSIVE FOR THE TIRE SO I WEIGHED MY TRUCK AND HE RECOMMENDED THE 1050R15S. THE SUBURBAN DID A GREAT JOB OF CRADLING US AND FORTUNATELY WE DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING ON OUR TUMBLE AND SLIDE INTO THE MEDIAN. *NLM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed May 19, 2003160,000 milesVA

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Mar 7, 2003KS

THE ALL 4 DOOR LATCHES MALFUNCTIONED.*JB

20 of 499 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202442110Routine
2023125300Routine
2022119410Routine
20211941210Routine
202044410Do not drive
201977310Do not drive
201881400Do not drive
2017141530Do not drive
2016219610Do not drive
20154281182Do not drive
201459310Routine
2013118400Routine
2012101420Routine
2011148300Routine
2010117310Routine
2009106500Routine
2008213400Above average
2007292460Above average
200623110Routine
2005129710Routine
2004204660Above average
2003301741Fatalities reported
2002286450Above average
2001440850Above average
20002821171Fatalities reported
19996342120High concern
1998201330Above average
19974143130Above average
199636041210Fatalities reported
1995457781Fatalities reported
19948586102Fatalities reported
1993 — this page499220High concern
1992189570Routine
199152460Routine
199054470Routine

Compare every Suburban year →

Reading this record

A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.