RoadVitals

1988 Chevrolet Suburban

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest May 6, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 30 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, interior & seats and transmission categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Tires & wheels928.1%
  • Interior & seats412.5%
  • Transmission39.4%
  • Fuel system39.4%
  • Body & structure26.3%
  • Brakes26.3%
  • Engine26.3%
  • Seat belts26.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
93V119000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

Aug 2, 1993
341,364 units potentially affected
The defect: SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
The risk: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
93V016000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Feb 1, 1993
1,702,880 units potentially affected
The defect: UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.
The risk: THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 93-C-07View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 30
Tires & wheels
Filed May 6, 2017

BRIDGESTONE TIRE RUPTURE: PLY SEPARATION, ON FREEWAY, NO WARNING, AT 35000 MILES WITH LOTS OF TREADLIFE REMAINING. I CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS OF DAMAGED TIRE ON REQUEST. ALL PLIES OF TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED, THEY WERE NEVER BONDED TOGETHER PROPERLY. TIRE IS BRIDGESTONE M773 SWP II, SIZE 235-85-16.

NHTSA ID
10983839
Incident
May 3, 2017
Mileage
120,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 1, 2014

IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE P/S GEARBOX WAS SEPARATING FROM ITS MOUNT ON THE VEHICLE FRAME AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVED. THE STEERING BECAME LOOSER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE U-CHANNEL FRAME WAS CRACKED OUT IN THE AREAS OF 3 OF THE 4 POWER STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTS. THESE CRACKS HAD TO BE WELDED. A YEAR AN A HALF LATER A CHECK OF THE WELDS WAS MADE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND A NEW CRACK WAS FOUND. THERE WAS NO COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE DOUBLER/STIFFENER REPAIR PLATE AVAILABLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. THE FRAME SHOULD NOT CRACK UNDER NORMAL USE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10576312
Incident
Nov 1, 2010
Mileage
223,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 8, 2008

I PURCHASED FOUR PREMIUM BRIDGESTONE TIRES ($168 EACH). TWO OF THESE HAVE NOW FAILED PREMATURELY DUE TO CATASTROPHIC TREAD SEPARATION. THE FIRST WAS AT 29,000 MILES, THE SECOND AT 32,000 MILES. BOTH STILL HAD PLENTY OF TREAD DEPTH REMAINING. I BELIEVE THAT MY SAFETY IS AT RISK WITH THE TWO REMAINING TIRES. THESE TIRES WERE NEVER DRIVEN OFF-ROAD, AND WERE WELL CARED FOR PRIOR TO SUDDEN FAILURE. THE TIRE MODEL WAS BRIDGESTONE R273SWP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10233598
Incident
Jun 5, 2008
Mileage
84,571 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 9, 2007

PURCHASED FOUR BRIDGESTONE R273 SWP PREMIUM TIRES IN 2001 ($168 EACH) FROM BRIDGESTONE DEALER. VEHICLE IS 1988 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, USED FOR ON-ROAD USE ONLY. VEHICLE IS GARAGED DAILY, ONLY DRIVEN ~5000 MILES PER YEAR. TIRE SIZE IS 235-85R16E. TOTAL MILEAGE ON TIRES IS 29,000 MILES. ESTIMATED REMAINING TREAD LIFE 50% (9/32"). LEFT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY HAD TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TIRE DID NOT LOSE AIR, BUT TREAD SEPARATED FROM CASING AND STEEL BELTS WERE VISIBLE FOR APPROX 6-8" IN AREA OF SEPARATION. THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE OR ANY OTHER VISIBLE EVIDENCE FOR CAUSE OF FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED TIRE FOR FREE, ONLY CHARGING FOR BALANCE/ETC. HOWEVER, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER THREE TIRES. HAS THERE BEEN ANY HISTORY OF FAILURES/RECALLS ON THIS TIRE? SHOULD I INSIST THAT BRIDGESTONE REPLACE THE REMAINING THREE TIRES FOR FREE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10208502
Incident
Oct 20, 2007
Mileage
84,500 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 13, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BOLT FRACTURED CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACKWARD. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE BOLT.

NHTSA ID
10150086
Incident
Jan 13, 2006
Mileage
105,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 12, 2005

DT CONTACT STATES HE PURCHASED A SET OF GENERAL TIRES, ONE OF THE TIRES DEVELOPED A HUGE FLAT SPOT AFTER 7,000 MILES OF DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE FLAT SPOT WAS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATES EVERY TIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED THERE IS VIBRATION. THE TIRES ARE REGULARLY MAINTAINED. CONTACT FEELS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN CONSTRUCTION OF THE TIRES. *NM

NHTSA ID
10120797
Incident
May 12, 2005
Interior & seats
Filed May 12, 2003

SINGLE BOLT THAT ATTACHES SEAT BACK TO SEAT BASE FAILED, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO FALL BACK LEAVING ME LOOKING AT THE CEILING. I WAS STOPPED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. HAD I BEEN DRIVING THEIR WOULD CERTAINLY BEEN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATHS COULD HAVE RESULTED. THE DESIGN OF THIS SEAT IS AWFUL. ON THE ADJUSTMENT SIDE THERE ARE TWO BOLTS ATTACHING THE SEAT BACK TO THE SEAT BOTTOM. IF EITHER BOLT FAILS THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSES WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10018570
Incident
May 10, 2003
Mileage
131,098 mi
Engine
Filed May 13, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLS OUT, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, AND HAD ENGINE REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS WATER IN AIR THE FLITER HOUSING AND VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND DIED, ALSO NOTICES A RATTLING COMING FROM RIGHT HAND SIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE WIH USED ENGINE. *TT

NHTSA ID
8009687
Incident
Jul 15, 1999

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

990730016A

POWER TRAIN

DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT, SLIP, BUSY/CYCLING TCC OR NOISY COOLING FAN. *TT

376602A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

NEW CAST IRON EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STAINLESS STEEL GASKET TO CORRECT ENGINE NOISE CONDITION. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Suburban by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024371358.1
20231143364.8
20221064365.9
202118412468.5
2020424060.2
2019763058.4
2018814055.0
20171415058.2
20162176159.1
201542811159.8
2014593151.2
20131184151.9
20121014151.9
20111483152.3
20101173150.1
20091065149.6
20082134150.9
20072914157.5
2006231034.1
20051297046.7
20042046158.1
20033017663.8
20022864862.9
200144081163.3
2000282111063.5
19996342660.4
19982013153.3
19974143559.7
19963604762.6
19954577865.9
19948586469.4
19934992367.2
19921895269.6
1991524160.8
1990544162.0
1989624162.9
1988Viewing304049.0
1987181050.7
1986701—
1985901—
1984601—
1983300—
1982110—
1981110—
1979100—
1978300—
1977200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.