1990 GMC Suburban

Routine

Owners filed 22 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the parking brake › conventional › mechanical › linkage and cable. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip4
201
Seats4
101
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner3
001
Vehicle Speed Control2
000
Parking Brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and Cable2
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber1
000
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings1
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Seats93V187000
Filed Nov 16, 1993604,207 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.

Risk. IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission93V016000
Filed Feb 1, 19931,702,880 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.

Risk. THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy. INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery1 injured
Filed Mar 12, 2002WI

CONSUMER RAISED HOOD; ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE, AFTER VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, DOUGLAS BATTERY SUDDENLY BLEW UP, CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK *TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Mar 6, 2002CA

I BELIEVE THE SUBURBAN SERIES VEHICLES HAVE A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKE HOSE(FROM THE BODY TO A CONNECTOR ABOVE THE DIFFERENTIAL) IS USED AS A SUPPORT FOR THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE STRONGER, HEAVIER PARKING BRAKE CABLE RUBS ON THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE, CAUSING THE RUBBER HOSE TO FAIL. THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE DOES HAVE A 2INCH METAL SLEEVE OVER IT NEAR WHERE THE HOSE AND CABLE RUB. HOWEVER, THIS SLEEVE IS NOT LOCATED WHERE THE NATURAL LAY OF THE HOSE/CABLE IS. IN FACT, THE SLEEVE HAS A ROUGH EDGE ON IT, WHICH CAUSES ADDITIONAL WEAR ON THE RUBBER HOSE. THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE IS ALSO BENT WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE TRUCK BODY BECAUSE THE HOSE MUST SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE ON MY SUBURBAN WAS ALMOST WORN THROUGH WHEN I NOTICED IT. I BELIEVE THE FIX COULD BE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE BE ROUTED BELOW THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WITH A RUBBER DOUGHNUT BETWEEN THE HOSE/CABLE.O. *AK

Parking Brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and Cable
Filed Mar 6, 2002CA

CONSUMER STATES THE METAL PARKING BRAKE CABLE WEARS INTO THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE, WHICH COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE HOSE AND THE REAR BRAKES, THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WAS ALMOST WORN TO THE POINT OF FAILURE, THE METAL PARKING BRAKE CABLE DOES HAVE A METAL SLEEVE ON IT TO PROTECT THE RUBBER HOSE, BUT THE NATURAL POSITION OF THE HOSE AND CABLE CAUSES THE SLEEVE TO NOT LINE UP IN THE DESIRED POSITION. *TT

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed May 14, 2001CA

UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED 9/25/99 BY SUSPENSION PLUS IN SAN DIEGO USING MCQUAY NORRIS PARTS.. ON OR ABOUT 11/04/2000 THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING AT LOW SPEED LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL COLLAPSED UNDER THE FRONT END. SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION DETERMINED THAT THE REPLACED UPPER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED BY SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT RETAINER ASSEMBLY FROM THE BALL JOINT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER 9,000 MILES OF OPERATION. WE HAVE THE FAILED PART.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 12, 2001PA

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE STARTED RACING. COULD NOT STOP. PUT IN NUETRAL,ENGINE RACING. SHUT ENGINE . LATER FOUND THAT THE HOOK FROM SERVO HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF AND THE BAR ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE HAD GOTTEN STUCK IN THE THROTTLE. THIS HOOK SHOULD NOT BE OF A MATERIAL THAT CAN RUST & BREAK OFF LIKE THAT. ALSO I HAVE LOOKED INTO THE SERVICE MANUAL & THERE IS NO MENTION OF SERVICE TO THAT PART ATALL.WHY WILL THE MECHANIC EVEN LOOK AT THAT PART IF THERE IS NO MENTION FOR MAINTENANCE TO THAT PART. THAT JUST MEANS THAT GM FELT THAT THIS PART SHALL LAST TILL I CAN DRIVE THE CAR.I COULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND I COULD STOP ONLY BECAUSE I KNEW WHAT TO DO. THE ENGINE WAS REVING LIKE CRAZY WHEN I STOPPED.*AK

Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber
Filed Apr 10, 2001CA

CONSUMER WAS HEARING NOISE FROM BRAKES WHEN COMING TO A STOP, WAS INSPECTED, AND WAS ADVISED THAT FRONT BRAKES WERE NEEDED, AND REAR SHOCKS WERE LEAKING. *JB

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Feb 22, 2001ID

FRAME OF SEAT BACK SNAPPED WHEN DRIVER ENTERED VEHICLE AND GOT INTO SEAT. *AK

Seats
Filed Feb 7, 2001TX

RECALL 93V187000, WAS PERFORMED, SEAT BOLTS BROKE 2 TIMES AFTER THAT, AND 3RD TIME CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE SEAT FRAME. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 8, 2000VA

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. BUT, CONSUMER COULD KEEP CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. BRIDGESTONE 31.1050 R16. *AK

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Sep 30, 1999AZ

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY FIRST GMC PURCHASE SO FAR. WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF BUYING THIS CAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE. NOW, TWO MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW DEALERSHIPS CAN SELL THESE CARS WITH SUCH PROBLEMS AND THE MANUFACTURES NEED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS AND RESOLVE THEM. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 8, 1999TX

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN EMERGENCY STOPPING PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

SeatsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 27, 1999SC

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHERE L WAS SITTING STILL AND WAS THEN REARENDED AND CONSEQUENTLY FLEW THROUGH THE AIR AND HIT A FULL SIZE FORD PICKUP. WHEN L WAS HIT THE THIRD SEAT IN THE SUBURBAN WAS KNOCKED OFF THE BOLTS AND PUSHED INTO THE SECOND SEAT. MORE SEVERELY, THE DRIVERS SEAT (BUCKET) SNAPPED IN HALF AT THE POINT WHERE THE BACK MEETS THE SEAT. L WAS SEVERELY INJURED WITH SERIOUS AND LIFE LONG BACK INJURIES. L WANT TO KNOW WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN BE DONE. MY SUBURBAN WAS TOTALED IN THE COLLISION AND L WILL HAVE INJURIES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. LF THE SEAT HAD HELD L WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECTLY SAFE. LT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FACT THAT MY INJURIES ARE RIGHT AT THE LOWER LUMBAR SECTION OF MY BACK THAT IF L HAD BEED PROTECTED BY THE SEAT L WOULD BE WALKING FINE TODAY.

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 14, 1998TX

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner1 injured
Filed Jun 19, 1998LA

DRIVER'S SEAT BOLTS FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 29, 1997CA

CONSUMER WAS LEAVING A STOP LIGHT UP TO 15 MPH. WHEN SHE HIT BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BE RESISTING WITH A MUSHY FEELING. THERE WAS NO SUPPORT OF GRABBING, AND THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING FORWARD, RESULTING IN A CRASH, REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 20, 1997CA

CONSUMER CAN BE RELEASING BRAKE, STARTING OUT AT APPROX 5-10 MPH WHEN CONSUMER NEEDS TO MAKE SUDDEN STOP BRAKES WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY, PUSHES BRAKE TO FLOOR, , TAKES ABOUT A MINUTE BEFORE VEHICLE WILLSTRT TO BRAKE. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed May 28, 1997MO

RECALL # 93V18700. OWNER STATED THAT THE BOLTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN VEHICLE. BOLTS NEED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. DEALER NOT WILLING TO REPLACE WITHOUT CHARGE. *AK

Seats
Filed Jan 7, 1997CO

OWNER STATES THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR HIS SEAT RECLINER AND THAT HE HAD WORK DONE ON SEAT; HOWEVER, 40,000 MILES LATER THE SEAT COLLAPSED AGAIN. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 13, 1996MD

WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES.*AK *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Nov 1, 1995MA

THE TRUCK HAS ABS. THE BRAKES RELEASE ON A BUMPY ROAD AND DO NOT WORK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

20 of 22 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20041000Routine
20035100Routine
20027100Routine
20015200Routine
200015200Routine
1999285260Above average
1998100331Fatalities reported
1997200340Above average
1996172424Fatalities reported
1995227723Fatalities reported
1994411640High concern
1993212240Above average
199280420Routine
199130200Routine
1990 — this page22200Routine

Compare every Suburban year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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: Nov 16, 1993. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.