1994 GMC Suburban

High concern

Owners filed 411 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 6 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip218
53014
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor39
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer24
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components23
604
Tires9
020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc8
100
Seats8
000
Tires › Tread/Belt7
102
Vehicle Speed Control5
100
Service Brakes, Air › Antilock5
001

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.

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

20 of 411 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
1994 — this page411640High concern
1993212240Above average
199280420Routine
199130200Routine
199022200Routine

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.