RoadVitals

1992 Chevrolet Suburban Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints 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.
17
Latest Feb 17, 2005
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 189 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1992 Chevrolet Suburban submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming visibility

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Visibility
Filed Feb 17, 2005

WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10111745
Incident
Feb 17, 2005
Visibility
Filed Aug 1, 2001

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK OR STOP WORKING IN RAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
749566
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)+2 more
Filed Aug 1, 2001
Crash reported

WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED (85000 MLS)IT HAD A BAD FRONT END IDLER LINK AND A BAD A/C CLUTCH BEARING. NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE LIKE THEY SHOULD AND I WAS SCARED TO LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE SPONGY BRAKES. I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL TIMES TO DIFFERENT SHOPS AND ALSO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE BRAKES AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES ON THIS MODEL WERE JUST THAT WAY. I PUT NEW ROTORS AND PADS ON THE FRONT AND NEW REAR DRUMS AND SHOES AND REPEATEDLY BLED THE SYSTEM WITH SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. IT ACTS AS THOUGH THERE IS A RESTRICTION IN THE BRAKE LINE TO BOTH FRONT AND REAR. IT ACTS AS THOUGH THEY DESIGNED THE THING NOT TO STOP QUICKLY. I UNPLUGGED THE MOTOR TO THE ABS SO THAT AT LEAST IT WOULD SQUEAL A TIRE. THE LACK OF SURE LOW SPEED STOPS HAS CAUSED 2 NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS AND 1 T BONE WHICH HAS RAISED OUR INSURANCE RATES. I HAVE LEARNED TO DRIVE THE THING ANTICIPATING STOPS AND PREBRAKING. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND JUST LIKE WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD THAT SHORTED OUT WHEN IT GETS WET THEY TOLD ME THAT FOR MY SPECIFIC MODEL THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY LAST WEEK THEY SENT US A MAILER SAYING THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE MY BRAKE PEDAL WITH A DIFFERENT ONE TO GIVE ME A "BETTER FEEL". THAT WON'T DO ME MUCH GOOD IF I'M STUCK UNDER A BUS!!!!! I HAVE A VEHICLE WHICH HAS SUBSTANDARD BRAKES, WHICH WERE DESIGNED THAT WAY AND THEY WON'T DO A [XXX] THING ABOUT THEM. I LIKE A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT THE TRUCK BUT THE BRAKES SUCK BIG TIME.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
749530
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
Visibility
Filed May 8, 2001

WHEN TURNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS OFF BLADES WILL NOT GO BACK TO A RESTING POSITION. IF TURNED BACK ON THEY WILL CONTINUE TO GO BACK AND FORTH ABOUT 15 TIMES INSTEAD OF ONCE BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER DIDN'T PULL UP A RECALL, AND WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER IT.*AK

NHTSA ID
887752
Incident
Feb 1, 2001
Visibility
Filed Aug 1, 2000

DESIGN OF HVAC AND SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO HOLD A BUTTON AND WATCH A POINTER ON A DISPLAY TO ADJUST HVAC AND SOUND SYSTEM TO DESIRED SETTINGS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS AN UNSAFE DESIGN FEATURE!

NHTSA ID
726363
Incident
Dec 1, 1996
Visibility
Filed Jan 27, 2000

WHILE DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. HAVEN'T CONTACTED THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID
855588
Incident
Jan 25, 2000
Visibility
Filed Oct 5, 1999

WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ACTIVATED THEY DO NOT TURN OFF UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES THEY WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
849996
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Oct 1, 1999

THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MUSHY. I UNDERSTSAND THAT ABS WILL RESPOND DIFFERENTLY TO EMERGENCY BRAKEING THAN "NORMAL" BRAKES BUT THIS THING IS A REAL ADVENTURE TO DRIVE WHEN YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE PANIC STOPS.IT SEEMS TO RESIST YOUR FOOT THE HARDER YOU PUSH THE LESS BRAKING YOU FEEL.THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING MODULE WENT OUT WHICH CAUSED THE DISK BRAKE TO GRAB AND BOTH FRONT TIRES TO WEAR VERY BADLY. THE ELECTRIC WIPER CONTROL WENT OUT BECAUSET THE CONTROL BOX IS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND GOT WET. DAH! THE DRAG LINK BUSHING RUSTED OUT BECAUSE THE GREASE FITTING WAS APPARENTLY INACCESSABLE TO SERVICE AND NEVER GOT ANY GREASE. THE RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING AT 90000 MLS. AT WHICH TIME I RAN A STOP LEAK PRODUCT IN IT WHICH STOPPED IT SO FAR. THE WATERPUMP WENT OUT AT 110,000 MLS AND THE ALTERNATOR AT 95000 MLS. BRAKES ARE BIGGEST CONCERN!!!!!

NHTSA ID
712669
Incident
Dec 1, 1996
Visibility
Filed Sep 15, 1999

WINDSHIELD ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
847772
Incident
Mar 1, 1997
Visibility
Filed Aug 10, 1999

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO FAILURE IN THE RAIN. *YC

NHTSA ID
842025
Visibility
Filed Jul 31, 1999

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST CHEVROLET VEHICLE THAT I HAVE HAD THAT HAS HAD WIPER PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD 2 OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL FRIENDS THAT HAVE ALSO. THE WIPERS DECIDE BY THEMSELVES WHEN THEIR GOING TO WORK IN THE RAIN. SOMETIMES THEY DO AND SOMETIMES THEY DONT. THEY HAVE JUST QUIT ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAIN STORM IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA ID
709431
Visibility
Filed Jun 15, 1999

THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1994 SUBURBANS CONCERNING ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECAL DUE TO DATE OF MAKE/MODEL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
839844
Visibility
Filed Apr 27, 1999

DUE TO DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD, WHILE IN USE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VISUAL DIFFICULTY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
837151
Incident
Mar 1, 1999
Visibility
Filed Apr 15, 1999

THIS VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WHICH CAUSES THE WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
836768
Visibility
Filed Nov 4, 1998

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK ONE WEEK AND THE NEXT WEEK THEY DON'T WORK DUE TO AN OVERHEATED CIRCUITBOARD. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
830118
Visibility
Filed Dec 4, 1997

INTERMITTENT WINSHIELD WIPERS FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
526417
BrakesVisibility
Filed Nov 3, 1995

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKING INTERMITTENTLY, REPLACED BRAKE LINER. TT WHEN ROAD IS WET, BRAKES MIGHT LOCK ON ALL FOUR WHEELS, VEHICLE ENTERS UNCONTROLLED SKID, ANTI-LOCK DASH LIGHT DOES NOT LIGHT TO INDICATE SYSTEM FAILURE, CONDITION DOES NOTHAPPEN EVERY TIME, DEALER HAS CHECKED SYSTEM REPEATEDLY AND HAS STATED SYSTEM IS OPERATING AS NORMAL, FRONT BRAKES HAVE EEN REPLACED TWICE IN ONE YEAR, LEFT SIDE VIEW MIRROR HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID
974547
Incident
Oct 3, 1995

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .