1994 GMC Suburban

High concern

Owners filed 411 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the brakes. It has been recalled 6 times.

Avoid One of the GMC Suburban years to avoid: 2.1× the complaints of a typical Suburban year. Which GMC Suburban years to avoid →

Most common 1994 GMC Suburban problems

268 of the 411 complaints (65%) are about the brakes.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes218
53014
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor39
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer24
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components · brakes23
604
Tires9
020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc · brakes8
100
Seats8
000
Tires › Tread/Belt7
102
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration5
100
Service Brakes, Air › Antilock · brakes5
001

1994 GMC Suburban brakes problems

65% of all complaints

268 of the 411 complaints are about the brakes. This is what owners describe:

  • loses its brakes or the pedal sinks34% · 90

Share of the 268 brakes complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Peak year of filing
1995
75 brakes complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
60 · 0 · 19
in these complaints
Recalls on the brakes
“When appyling ABS brakes pedal goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Cause unknown, dealer cannot identify the problem. *ak front brakes are shuddering because front brakes are too small for the vehicle. *yh”
Owner complaint, filed Sep 15, 2000
“While driving in the neighborhood, travelling about 20mph ,crossed an intersection, and vehicle two car lengths ahead stopped. Also, vehicle in front of the consumer stopped. Went to apply brakes and brakes failed. *ak”
Owner complaint, filed Jan 21, 2000

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
1994: 0 complaints, 0 about the brakes'941995: 85 complaints, 75 about the brakes1996: 49 complaints, 43 about the brakes'961997: 66 complaints, 59 about the brakes1998: 42 complaints, 34 about the brakes'981999: 60 complaints, 33 about the brakes2000: 49 complaints, 15 about the brakes'002001: 26 complaints, 7 about the brakes2002: 9 complaints, 1 about the brakes'022003: 8 complaints, 0 about the brakes2004: 4 complaints, 0 about the brakes'042005: 8 complaints, 1 about the brakes2006: 1 complaints, 0 about the brakes'062007: 0 complaints, 0 about the brakes2008: 4 complaints, 0 about the brakes'08Recall 95I005000 (engine)Recall 98V150001 (visibility)Recall 99V025000 (headlights)Recall 01I006000 (brakes)Recall 03V159000 (visibility)Recall 06E043000 (fuel system)NHTSA investigation EA02006NHTSA investigation DP00001NHTSA investigation EA95026
All complaintsAbout the brakesRecall (red: the brakes)NHTSA investigation opened

Complaints about the 1994 Suburban peaked in 1995, with 85 filed that year. Owners had filed 264 complaints about the brakes before the first recall that covers it, 01I006000 in July 2001; 4 more have come in since. In 2008 owners filed 4 so far.

6 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).

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer03V159000
Filed Apr 28, 20031,755,876 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

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.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch99V025000
Filed Feb 5, 1999988,587 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS, CREW CABS, UTILITY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POLARITY OF THE WIRING FOR THE ZERO ADJUST BRAKE SWITCH REVERSED FROM WHAT WAS SPECIFIED ON THE SWITCH DRAWING. WITH THE REVERSED POLARITY, THE CONTACTS IN THE BRAKE SWITCH CAN WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. THE BRAKE SWITCH WILL PERFORM NORMALLY UNTIL THE BRAKE SWITCH CONTACTS WEAR OUT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE DRIVER.

Risk. THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH AND REVERSE THE WIRING.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer98V150001
Filed Jul 1, 19981,557,585 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel95I005000
Filed Dec 13, 199460,000 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, VANS AND MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONICALLY FUEL INJECTED 6.5L DIESEL ENGINE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION PART 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL IMPROVE THE OVERALL DRIVEABILITY OF THESE VEHICLES.

Risk. CERTAIN VEHICLES CAN EXHIBIT SOME DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS SUCH AS POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE, STALLING, MISFIRE, POOR HOT OR COLD STARTING, EXTENDED CRANKING OF A HOT ENGINE, OR STALLING AFTER START. TRUCKS WITH MANUALTRANSMISSIONS CAN EXHIBIT POOR ACCELERATION FROM START OR COULD STALL DURING DECELERATION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL SOME RECENTLY DEVELOPED ENHANCEMENTS WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE OVERALL DRIVEABILITY OF THESE VEHICLES.

All 6 campaigns on file, newest first.

NHTSA investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Before a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. 3 name the 1994 Suburban.

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREEngineering analysis EA02006Closed
Opened May 31, 2002Closed Jul 23, 2003Led to recall 03V159000visibility

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.

OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKINGDefect petition DP00001Open
Opened Jan 31, 2000equipment

The petition alleges that cracks in the hitch receiver platform may lead to separation of the trailer and loss of steering control

POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCEEngineering analysis EA95026Closed
Opened Sep 20, 1995Closed Sep 20, 2001brakes

Poor performance of ABS brakes

Technical service bulletins

19 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 1994 Suburban. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

brakes 7equipment 3visibility 3engine 2transmission 2equipment adaptive/mobility 1body and frame 1
01125Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 29, 2001brakes

SPECIAL POLICY BULLETIN REGARDING PRODUCT ENHANCEMENT BRAKE SYSTEM SUBJECTIVE FEEL / POOR BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. *TT

01005Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 29, 2001brakes

SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VACUUM POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND EBC4 ABS BRAKE MODULES MAY COMMENT THAT THEIR VEHICLES EXHIBIT POOR BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, THIS MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO BRAKE PEDAL FEEL. *SLC

01005Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 1, 2001brakes

THIS SPECIAL POLICY PRODUCT ENHANCEMENT COVERS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VACUUM POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND EBC4 ABS BRAKE MODULES EXHIBITNG POOR BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE / BRAKE SYSTEM SUBJECTIVE FEEL. *TT

990524001AService Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 1, 1999brakes

BRAKE LEAD/PULL AND FRONT BRAKE WEAR. *MJS

990524001Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 1, 1999brakes

SOME CAB CHASSIS, CREW CAB, AND PICKUP MODELS MAY EXHIBIT A BRAKE LEAD / PULL AND FRONT BRAKE WEAR. *TT

98865020AService Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 1, 1998brakes

VEHICLES LEADING OR PULLING TO EITHER SIDE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, AND PREMATURE FRONT BRAKE WEAR, ESPECIALLY VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN USED TO TOW A HEAVY LOAD. *YC

Showing the newest 6 of 7 bulletins about the brakes, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Tires
Filed May 2, 2008162,528 milesFL

TREAD / TIRE SEPARATION BIG BUBBLE IN TIRE SEVERE SHAKING / SEVERE PULLING THOUGHT MY TRUCK NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT VERY VERY VERY BAD. *TR

TiresFire
Filed May 2, 2008161,528 milesFL

TIRE SEPARATION CAUSING BUBBLE IN TIRE /CAUSING SHAKING / PULLING SEVERELY TO RIGHT SIDE. *TR

Tires
Filed May 2, 2008156,880 milesFL

TIRES SEPARATING CAUSING MAJOR BUBBLE AND PULLING AS WELL AS SHAKING. *TR

TiresFire
Filed May 2, 2008162,528 milesFL

TIRE WOBBLE/ NO SEPARATION YET CAN FEEL IT PULLING / DID WAIT FOR THIS ONE TO BUBBLE UP AND SEPARATE WASN'T GOING TO WAIT ANOTHER 3 WEEKS FOR AN ACCIDENT POSSIBLY FATAL TO HAPPEN HAD THIS LAST REMAINING ONE REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE. *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jun 16, 200618,000 milesTX

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED AFTER BEING MANUALLY "HELPED" SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE, BUT NO LONGER. WHEN I CONTACTED GMC, THEY TOLD ME THE CURRENT RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I HAVE PURCHASED THE CIRCUIT BOARD MYSELF AND WILL NOW NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE INSTALL IT. RECALL NEEDS TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL VIN #'S. I WAS TOLD BY THE GMC TOLL FREE NUMBER THAT IT WAS NOT A "SAFETY" ISSUE, SORRY. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 28, 2005PA

WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON I ENCOUNTERED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON TWO OCCASIONS ONCE WHILE THE UNIT WAS ACTIVATED AND ONCE WHILE IT WAS NOT. *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Oct 16, 2005131,300 milesWA

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. GM REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V150001 STATING RECALL VOIDED AFTER 70,000 MILES. I GUESS THE BARD TURNS "GOOD" AFTER REACHING THE MILEAGE? *JB

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionFire
Filed Jul 28, 200500

DT A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. CONTACTED GM, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jun 29, 200575,000 milesNC

DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN TURNED WILL INTERMITTENTLY COME ON AND OFF. SOMETIMES IT HAS TO BE DONE MANUALLY, AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, BUT OCCASIONALLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP IN THE MIDDLE. DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THEN, RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER RECALL DUE TO T VIN. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jun 2, 2005100,000 milesMA

DT : WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL PREVIOUS RECALLS IN 1998 AND 2003 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. GMC HOTLINE SAID THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL. *AK *SB *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed May 20, 2005FL

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE OWNS A 1994 GMC SUBURBAN. HE STATES THAT HE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER MOTOR BECAUSE IT IS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON SOME GMC VEHICLES, BUT THE MANUFACTURER TOLD HIM THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUETO VIN. THE PROBLEM STARTED INTERMITTENTLY AND IT BECAME WORSE.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 20, 2005FL

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE OWNS A 1994 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. THEY ARE PERFORMING POORLY. THERE ARE ABS BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE, AND THIS VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS EVER SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. HE HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT IT WOULDN'T LAST VERY LONG. THE PROBLEM WOULD CONTINUE TO COME BACK. ALSO, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 1, 2005113,000 milesNY

RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE CAR WAS IN PARKING LOT AND MOVING SLOWLY BALL JOINTS REPLACED BY GARAGE. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Mar 1, 200414,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashCrash
Filed Feb 13, 2004102,000 milesMA

1994 GMC SUBURBAN. WHEN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT BE SHUTOFF BY HITTING BRAKES. IF SWITCH FAILS, HITTING BRAKES WILL SLOW VECHILE, BUT CRUISE CONTROL WILL GIVE IT MORE GAS. DATE OF INITIAL ACCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE SINCE I DO NOT HAVE PAPERS WITH ME. SWITCH HAS FAILED TWICE SINCE THAT AND WAS FAILED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 15, 2004130,000 milesCA

PAINT FLAKING. I SHOWED IT TO SERVICE DEPT, THEY SAID GM WOULD NOT REPAIR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 15, 2004TN

DIESEL K2500 SUBURBAN. INJECTION PUMP SUFFERED A PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT FUEL CUTOUT. SOLUTION WAS REPLACEMENT OF INJECTION PUMP. REPEATED DEALER ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE EXACT PROBLEM WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. SEAT MOUNT FAILED. THIS CAUSED SEAT TO TILT ON BASE & TORQUE REMAINING MOUNTS. THE WIPER MOTOR CUT OUT AT RANDOM. GM ACKNOWLEDGES THIS PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT FOR MINE. THIS WOULD CAUSE FAILURE OF MOTOR FUNCTIONS (IN MY CASE, THE WIPER WOULD NOT START IF PARKED, BUT WOULD START IF PULLED OUT OF PARK POSITION). BRAKES ARE THE MOST INTERESTING PROBLEM. WHILE THERE MAY INDEED BE A PROBLEM WITH PEDAL SUDDENLY GOING TO THE FLOOR I THINK THE ACTUAL SITUATION IN MOST OF THOSE CASES MAY ACTUALLY BE AS FOLLOWS. I HAD TO BRAKE FAIRLY HARD IN UNEXPECTED TRAFFIC, AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FIRED. I WAS MOVING NOT FASTER THAN ABOUT 50 MPH AT THE TIME, BUT IT TOOK (MEASURED) 642 FEET TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AT NO TIME DID I RELEASE THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. DURING THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO STEER QUITE SUCCESSFULLY AROUND TWO STOPPED VEHICLES, AND TO RUN UP ON A GRASSY SHOULDER AND BACK ONTO THE PAVEMENT. I HAD THE FRONT BRAKES RELINED AND TRUED, AND THE FLUID FLUSHED AND REPLACED, AT A LOCAL SHOP SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED (WITH ABOUT 56,000 MILES). APPARENTLY, GM KNOWS THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO CYCLE THE ANTILOCK MOTOR SO THAT ALL THE PISTONS ARE AT THE RIGHT POSITION BEFORE BLEEDING THE BRAKES. IF THE BRAKES ARE BLED WITH THE MOTOR NOT CENTERED,

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Nov 6, 200398,500 milesNJ

HAD FAILURE OF BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES AND FUEL DELIVERY LINES/SENDING UNIT DUE TO HEAVILY RUSTED/RUPTURED METAL LINES. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURES WERE OBSERVED IN MY DRIVEWAY, LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TOWING TO THE LOCAL MECHANICS GARAGE.TOTAL COST OF REPAIR (ALL RUSTED LINES AND FUEL SENDING UNIT) AT LOCAL GARAGE WAS $875.00.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Nov 5, 2003CO

CONSUMER NOTICED WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK CONSUMER WAS RETURNING HOME WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN. HE TURNED ON THE WIPERS BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. HE TRIED A SECOND TIME BUT TO NO AVAIL. CONSUMER LOST VISION OF THE ROAD AND HAD TO PULL OVER. *PH

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Sep 16, 2003CO

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHEN USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY WOULD STOP WORKING, BUT WIPER MOTOR WA STILL RUNNING. *AK

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

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. CAUSE OF FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME.*AK

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jun 3, 200366,911 milesIL

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE INOPERATIVE. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed May 14, 2003AL

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK AT VARIOUS TIMES. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Apr 11, 2003150,000 milesCO

THE WIPERS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE FAILED TO OPERATE 3 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. ALL THREE TIMES WERE DURING A STORM. TWO RAIN STORMS AND THIS LAST WAS A SNOW STORM. THE WIPER MOTOR MAKE AN ODD NOISE WHEN THEY STOP WORKING. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jan 17, 2003126,500 milesNY

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK ALL OF THE TIME. I TOOK VEHICLE TO A GMC DEALER AND HE SAID MY SURBURBAN WASN'T ON THE RECALL LIST. TS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Oct 18, 2002FL

TRUCK PULLS MOST OFTEN TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING SOMETIMES TO THE RIGHT SOMETIMES GOES FINE. DT

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Aug 20, 2002PA

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT START, MUST STOP VEHICLE GET OUT, OPEN HOOD BANG ON MOTOR/CONTROL HOUSING. GETTING WORSE AND NOW FAILURE EVERY TIME USED.*AK

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Jul 29, 2002CA

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING LEFT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF DUE TO BOLTS BREAKING OFF THE WHEEL.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jul 12, 2002NV

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #98V150001 REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS MY SUBURBAN IS NOT PART OF THIS CAMPAIGN. HOW CAN I GET THEM TO FIX THIS INTERMITTANT TROUBLE???*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jun 25, 2002VA

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT, LEAVING OCCUPANT UNPROTECTED WITH LOOSE SHOULDER RESTRAINT. OCCUPANT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE SEAT BELT OFF, PULL BELT ALL THE WAY OUT UNTIL MECHANISM DECIDES TO ADJUST. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Seats
Filed Mar 12, 2002VA

TWO DRIVER'S SEATS SEPARATED FROM FRAME. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Seats
Filed Feb 28, 2002VA

SEAT FRAME BECAME DETACHED FROM FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BECOME DISTRACTED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND STATED PROBLEM WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Feb 10, 2002TX

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Jan 24, 2002GA

FRONT WIPER MOTOR STALLED DURING RAINSTORM, TRAVELLING 55MPH ON MAJOR HIGHWAY. WIPER AND WIPER FLUID MOTOR QUIT UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE IN OPERATION OR WHILE STOPPED. SOMETIMES A BUZZING SOUND OCCURS WITH THE FAILURE. I DISCOVERED THAT I CAN TAP THE WIPER MOTOR MODULE AND THE WIPER MOTOR MAY BEGIN AGAIN, BUT ITS WORK WILL BE SHORTLIVED. ANOTHER PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS VEHICLE WAS A MELTDOWN AND SMALL FIRE UNDER THE DRIVERSIDE DASH. THE ROCKER SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE DOME LIGHT HAS AN "AUTO" AND AN "OFF" POSITION. WHILE IN "AUTO" FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR WITH THE DOORS OPEN, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH AND THE ROCKER SWITCH HAD MELTED DOWN DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDING UP IN THE CONTACT. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER WHEN I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT SWITCH WHO COMMENTED THAT THESE SWITCHES WERE A PROBLEM.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › DiscCrash
Filed Dec 21, 2001IL

THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ON MY 1994 GMC SUBURBAN PERFORM VERY POORLY ON WET PAVEMENT. THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED GREATLY AND HAS LED TO ONE ACCIDENT. SEVERAL OTHER TIMES INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES HAS LED TO NEAR ACCIDENTS. THIS HAS CAUSED US TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE VERY CAUTIOUSLY IN WET WEATHER. THE ACCIDENT WAS ON WET PAVEMENT. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL BEGAN TO PULSATE AND THEN WENT CLEAR TO THE FLOOR, YET THE VEHICLE ACTED AS THOUGH THE BRAKES HAD RELEASED. BRAKING ACTION WAS ALMOST GONE CAUSING US TO SLIDE INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER UNIT. THERE WAS SUFFICIENT DISTANCE TO STOP HAD THE BRAKES NOT RELEASE THE BRAKING ACTION.

Tires › Tread/Belt2 injured
Filed Nov 20, 2001MO

LEFT REAR TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE WHILE TRAVELING AT 70MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY.AFTER STOPPING TO CHANGE THE TIRE, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE TIRE TEMPATURE WAS 150DEGREES (COMPARED TO 130DEGREES ON THE 3 REMAINING TIRES), AND THE TIRE CONTINUED TO HOLD 50LBS OF AIR. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY PASSENGERS, BUT THE TIRE TREAD CAUSED $4,206 IN DAMAGE TO THE MIDDLE AND REAR PANELS OF THE SUBURBAN.*AK (TIRESIZE: 950R165LT)

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Nov 20, 2001MO

LEFT REAR TREAD SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE WHILE TRAVELING AT 70MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY.AFTER STOPPING TO CHANGE THE TIRE, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE TIRE TEMPATURE WAS 150DEGREES (COMPARED TO 130DEGREES ON THE 3 REMAINING TIRES), AND THE TIRE CONTINUED TO HOLD 50LBS OF AIR. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY PASSENGERS, BUT THE TIRE TREAD CAUSED $4,206 IN DAMAGE TO THE MIDDLE AND REAR PANELS OF THE SUBURBAN. *AK (TIRESIZE: 950R165LT)

Suspension › RearCrash
Filed Nov 1, 2001CA

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Oct 26, 2001MD

CONSUMER LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY, STEERING BECAME VERY LOOSE. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Oct 11, 2001OK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ONLY PART OF THE TIME. IT WILL WORK ONE TIME THEN STOP OR MAY NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAVE 2 GMC VEHICLES (ONE 1992 1/2T SERRIA AND ONE 1994 SUBURBAN) AND 2 CHEVROLET VEHICLES (ONE 1994 S10 PU AND ONE 1997 S10 BLAZER) THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Sep 25, 2001IA

FRONT DISC BRAKES DO NOT RELEASE, CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT IN ROTORS,HUBS, AND WHEELS. *AK

Wheels
Filed Sep 5, 2001FL

ORIGINAL PROBLEM BRAKING CAUSED ME TO GO INTO A CEMETERY (LUCKILY TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE ONLY THING THAT I HIT WAS A CURB WHICH I WENT OVER ON A DIAGONAL) THRU ONGOING TRAFFIC LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE 2 WHEELS BY CENTERLINE TO FRACTURE WHICH LATER BECAME APPARENT AT DIFFERENT TIMES. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE 2 WHEELS WERE SIMPLY DEFECTIVE TO START AND DECIDED TO LET GO AT DIFFERENT TIMES. I SURLEY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE WHEELS WERE DEFECTIVE FROM THE GET GO.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Aug 30, 2001AZ

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY WHEN IN USE. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Aug 21, 2001PA

THE WIPER MOTOR FAILS INTERMITTENTLY DURING RAINY WEATHER RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. NLM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jul 16, 2001FL

WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY DON'T TURN OFF. AFTER A RAIN STORM CONSUMER TURNED SWITCH OFF, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS EVENTUALLY TURN OFF BY ITSELF. NO CONTACT WAS MADE TO THE DEALER. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 6, 2001CA

WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT A VEHICLE TRAVELING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TURNED IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES IN A PANIC STOP, PROBABLY THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY RELEASED AND I COASTED INTO THE INTERSECTION. I SWERVED TO MISS THE ONCOMING VEHICLE AND DID JUST MISS IT. SINCE THIS INCIDENT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN STEADY ON. I HAVE DISCONNECTED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE. A GENERAL MOTORS MECHANIC HAS PULLED THE CODES AND SAYS THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. I PLAN TO GO TO A GMC DEALER THIS MONTH AND COMPLAIN UNTIL I GET SOME SATISFACTION. THE FIRST TIME I NEEDED MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TO FUNCTION THEY FAILED. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACEPTABLE. I SEE FROM THIS WEB SITE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES ON SUBURBANS AND WONDER WHY THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 25, 2001TX

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT ABS BRAKING LIGHT WAS ON, AND THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN ABS BRAKING SYSTEM KICKED IN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed May 22, 2001KY

INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING VIEW OF DRIVER. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THIS VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed May 9, 2001TX

SYMPTOMS MATCH PROBLEM DESCRIPTION OF CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V150001. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Mar 23, 2001AZ

RECALL 98 V 150 001/WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING: WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, NON-WORKING OPERATION CAN LEAD INTO A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Complaints 1-50 of 411, newest first, 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
1994 — this page411640High concern
1993212240Above average
199280420Routine
199130200Routine
199022200Routine

Compare every Suburban year →

1994 GMC Suburban: questions buyers ask

Is the 1994 GMC Suburban a good car?

Going by the federal record, it is one of the Suburban years to avoid: owners filed 411 complaints, 2.1 times as many as a typical Suburban year. The most common complaint is about the brakes (65%).

What is the most common problem with the 1994 GMC Suburban?

The brakes: 268 of the 411 complaints (65%) are about it. Owners most often say it loses its brakes or the pedal sinks (34%).

How many recalls does the 1994 GMC Suburban have?

6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed May 19, 2006. The largest, 03V159000, covered 1,755,876 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 1994 GMC Suburban problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 113,000 miles.

Has NHTSA investigated the 1994 GMC Suburban?

Yes, 3 times. The latest, EA02006 ("WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE"), was opened May 31, 2002 and closed Jul 23, 2003.

Are there service bulletins for the 1994 GMC Suburban?

The manufacturer filed 19 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the brakes (7), the visibility (3) and the engine (2). A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

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.