1994 Chevrolet SuburbanUNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION

858 federal complaints (1,038 component records) · 3 recall campaigns on file · 4 federal investigations · 19 service bulletins · 1 Canadian recall
See all 44 model years of the Chevrolet Suburban →
Engine
5.7L 8-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
RWD
EPA economy
11 city / 16 hwy
Federal complaints
858
Recall campaigns
3
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Brakes
648
Glass & wipers
176
Seat belts
27
Engine & cooling
24
Electrical system
24
Seats
18
Tires
17
Fuel system
16
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 84 complaints01 years old: 116 complaints2 years old: 79 complaints3 years old: 63 complaints4 years old: 58 complaints5 years old: 65 complaints56 years old: 49 complaints7 years old: 27 complaints8 years old: 6 complaints9 years old: 22 complaints10 years old: 7 complaints1011 years old: 7 complaints12 years old: 3 complaints13 years old: 2 complaints14 years old: 0 complaints15 years old: 1 complaints1516 years old: 1 complaints17 years old: 0 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 1 complaints20+ years old: 2 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 593 of 858 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 2 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 0 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 1 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 1 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 3 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 8 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 4 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 7 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 1 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 3 complaints200,000+ miles: 2 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 32 of 858 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Brakes

648 complaint records3 fire reports144 crash reports
"ABS, LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS WHILE DRIVING, COMPLETE PEDAL FADED, TO STOP VEHICLE USING PARKING EMERGENCY BRAKE. TT..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →

Glass & wipers

176 complaint records2 crash reports
"WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN MOTOR WENT OUT. NOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse glass & wipers parts in the directory →

Seat belts

27 complaint records3 crash reports
"DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. GM DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR RETRACTOR BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY.*AK *MR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse seat belts parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
DP00001
opened Jan 2000
OPENEquipmentOEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING
THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
EA02006
opened May 2002
closed Jul 2003VisibilityWINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE - led to recall 03V210000
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...
PE97027
opened Jun 1997
closed Oct 1997SeatsDRIVERS SEAT FAILURE
THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THE DRIVERS SEAT MOUNTING FAILS, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO MOVE OR TIP REARWARD INTO A RECLINED POSITION.
EA95026
opened Sep 1995
closed Sep 2001Service Brakes, HydraulicPOOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE - led to recall 01I006000
POOR PERFORMANCE OF ABS BRAKES

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
03V159000VisibilityON 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.Normally free
99V025000Exterior LightingVEHICLE 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...Normally free
98V150001VisibilityVEHICLE 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.Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2003064
2003-03-17
Other323,584Certain vehicles (not involved in recall 98-150), may experience a windshield wiper failure due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
PIC4696E
Nov 2019
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
PIC4696D
Sep 2019
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
PIC4696C
May 2018
Equipment Adaptive/MobilityThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
130089009
Sep 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingExpanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
020730024A
Aug 2005
Power TrainDIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT
Show 14 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
3005
Jan 2004
Equipment93-00 FULL SIZE UTILITIES (GMT 400 OLD STYLE ONLY) AC BLOWS WARM AND THE HIGH SIDE PRESSURE IS TOO HIGH. *MJ
01349A
Nov 2003
Fuel System6.5L L49 L56 L57 L65 DIESEL ENGINE REQUIRING FUEL INJECTION PUMP REPLACEMENT. MODELS P32/P42 1994-1999 INCLUDED. *TT
02054
Feb 2003
VisibilityWINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE DUE TO CRACKED BOULDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS SPECIAL POLICY COVERS THE CONDITION FOR A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS OR 70,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST FROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP...
990730016A
Oct 2002
Power TrainDIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT, SLIP, BUSY/CYCLING TCC OR NOISY COOLING FAN. *TT
01125
Jun 2001
Service BrakesSPECIAL POLICY BULLETIN REGARDING PRODUCT ENHANCEMENT BRAKE SYSTEM SUBJECTIVE FEEL / POOR BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. *TT
01005
Jun 2001
Service BrakesSOME 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
990524001A
Sep 1999
Service BrakesBRAKE LEAD/PULL AND FRONT BRAKE WEAR. *MJS
990524001
Jun 1999
Service BrakesSOME CAB CHASSIS, CREW CAB, AND PICKUP MODELS MAY EXHIBIT A BRAKE LEAD / PULL AND FRONT BRAKE WEAR. *TT
98865020A
Sep 1998
Service BrakesVEHICLES 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
98043
Sep 1998
VisibilityPRODUCT RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT. *TT
98865020
Apr 1998
Service BrakesVEHICLE LEADING OR PULLING TO EITHER SIDE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES OR FRONT BRAKE WEAR NOT MEETING EXPECTATIONS. *YC
761510
Apr 1997
StructureBROKEN REAR CARGO DOOR HINGE (INSTALL REPLACEMENT HINGE). *TW
376105
Feb 1995
Engine And Engine CoolingCOLD ENGINE KNOCK. *TW
376602A
Jan 1995
Engine And Engine CoolingNEW CAST IRON EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STAINLESS STEEL GASKET TO CORRECT ENGINE NOISE CONDITION. *TW

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
  2. Run the wipers and washers, and test every window.Slow or stuck regulators, streaking wipers, and windshield cracks are this vehicle's visibility complaints.
  3. Pull and release every belt.A belt that retracts slowly or a buckle that will not latch matches this vehicle's seat-belt cluster.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Chevrolet Suburban →