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1996 Chevrolet SuburbanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 360 owner complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

36
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the Suburban median · #8 of 38 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints36040 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage174kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 27, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban has problems

360 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic12910
Electrical system476
Visibility420
Power train404
Tires393
Engine and engine cooling361
Fuel system, gasoline192
Air bags169
Steering151
18 other systems795

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1996 Chevrolet Suburban recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 03V-159 · Apr 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 98V-150 · Jul 1, 1998 · 1,557,585 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 96V-057 · Apr 4, 1996 · 379,004 vehicles

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Suburban year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Suburban median. How we score

'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban, and the recalls they led to.

  1. OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKINGDP00001 · still open
    Open
  2. BATTERY LEAKS ACIDEA00013 · closed Jun 28, 2002
    No recall
  3. HEADLIGHTEA00024 · closed Dec 21, 2001
    No recall
  4. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREEA02006 · closed Jul 23, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-159
  5. POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCEEA95026 · closed Sep 20, 2001
    Led to recall 01I006000
  6. STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONSEA97007 · closed Mar 12, 1998
    No recall
  7. STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONSPE96076 · closed Apr 17, 1997
    No recall
In owners' words

What Suburban owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT 35 MPH, THE POSTED SPEED, WE LOST BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKE WAS APPLIED APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP SIGN. WE WERE UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AND PASSED ALL OF THE WAY THROUGH IT. THE BRAKE…
Complaint 10424654 · Sep 11, 2011 · 174,231 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS SENSORS WERE CORRODED AND ADVISED THE…
Complaint 10218347 · Feb 12, 2008 · 190,000 miles
DT: 1996 GMC SUBURBAN, WHILE PULLING OUT FROM THE POST OFFICE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN. CONSUMER PUSHED DOWN VERY HARD, DID NOT PUMP THE BRAKES. FINALLY, THE BRAKES STARTED WORKING, THE BRAKE PEDAL JERKED/ WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE STOPPED. THE…
Complaint 10130346 · Jul 27, 2005 · 64,635 miles

Own a 1996 Suburban?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.