RoadVitals

1993 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.
499
Latest Nov 25, 2008
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.
2
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.
3
1 currently open
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.
93
35 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 499 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Chevrolet Suburban, most frequently naming the brakes, visibility and tires & wheels categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 13 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

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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
01I006000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Jul 2, 2001
255,770 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: THIS COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO BRAKE PEDAL FEEL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BRAKE PEDAL PAD. IN ADDITION, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE-BOOSTER OUTPUT ROD AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP00001OpenDefect Petition

OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING

Opened Jan 31, 2000

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

EQUIPMENT
EA95026ClosedEngineering Analysis

POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE

Opened Sep 20, 1995
Closed Sep 20, 2001

POOR PERFORMANCE OF ABS BRAKES

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 01I006000
EA94029ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Jul 29, 1994
Closed Jul 31, 1996

AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 499
Seat belts
Filed Nov 25, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE AN OCCUPANT WAS ATTEMPTING TO STRAP HERSELF IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT, THE BUCKLE FELL OFF IN HER HAND. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER TEN YEARS OLD. THE DEALER COULD MAKE REPAIRS AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $400. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 154,000.

NHTSA ID
10249839
Incident
Nov 22, 2008
Mileage
154,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 5, 2007

REAR UPPER SHOCK BRACKET. CRACKED AND FELL OFF VEHICLE- WITH DOING INSPECTION OF WELDS, ALSO FOUND THAT THE REAR FRAME STRESS FRACTURE CRACKS. GOING FROM SHOCK BRACKETS BACK TO THE GAS TANK. SECOND COMPLAINT: DRIVERSEAT MOUNTING BRACKET, CRACKED CAUSING SEAT TO BE UNSTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10210855
Incident
Dec 5, 2007
Mileage
252,000 mi
BrakesEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Oct 17, 2007
Crash reported

DURING ALL KINDS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, TWICE CAUSING A REAR END ACCIDENT. DURING A HARD BRAKING SITUATION WHEN ON DRY PAVEMENT, OR ANY BRAKING CONDITION ON WET PAVEMENT THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED AND THEY GRAB AND THEN RELEASE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT COMPLETELY STOPPING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO MANY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS AND INDEPENDENT SHOPS FOR REPAIR AND BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED WITH COMPLETE BRAKE REBUILDS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO IMPROVEMENT IN STOPPING ABILITIES. THIS MODEL VEHICLE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE BEEN RECALLED SHORTLY AFTER MANUFACTURE. THERE IS SO MUCH DOCUMENTATION THAT THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM THAT THIS AGENCY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF NOT FORCING A RECALL FOR REPAIRS OR COMPLETE REDESIGN OF THE BRAKING SYSTEMS. THE MINOR RECALL AND"FIX" OF THE BRAKE-BOOSTER OUTPUT ROD WERE A JOKE AND NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED AS A FIX. THE EXCUSE CHEVROLET USES THAT IT IS A "BRAKE PEDAL FEEL" THAT IS THE PROBLEM IS INEXCUSABLE AND IRRESPONSIBLE. I HAVE BEEN A PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER (CLASS "A" CDL WITH ALL ENDORSEMENTS) AND MECHANIC AND HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL OTHER MAKES OF LARGE HEAVY PASSENGER TRUCKS AND SUV'S WITH ABS BRAKING AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY TYPE OF VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10205934
Incident
Aug 1, 2006
Mileage
82,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 26, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE'S FUEL LEVEL WAS AT A MAXIMUM LEVEL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED , AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE FUEL PUMP. HE OBSERVED MELTED COMPONENTS INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP. GM STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS, AND ASSURED THE CONTACT THAT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. GM ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT VIA EMAIL ON 3/26/07 WHICH RESULTED IN GM SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER 71-498273756. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THEY HAD REPLACED 10 FUEL PUMPS , AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 192,000. *AK

NHTSA ID
10186188
Incident
Mar 23, 2007
Mileage
192,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 22, 2004
Crash reported

WHILE TOWING MY 25 FOOT CAMPING TRAILER BEHIND MY CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, THE RECEIVER HITCH (MANUFACTURED BY DRAWTITE) BROKE AWAY CAUSING MY TRAILER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD, ACROSS A GRASSY AREA, COMING TO REST ONLY AFTER HITTING A VDOT FENCE , FENCE POLE AND A TREE. UPON EXAMINATION THE CENTER SECTION OF THE HITCH BAR HAD BROKE AWAY AND WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE TRAILER TONGUE, COMPLETE WITH SAFETY CHAINS, WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING BARS AND THE ELECTRIC BRAKE "BREAK-A-WAY" SWITCH ACTIVATOR CABLE WAS STILL ATTACHED. BOTH SIDES OF THE HITCH WERE STILL SECURED TO THE SUBURBAN. THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND CAME TO THE SCENE. THE TROOPER CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK, WHO HAD TO WINCH THE TRAILER BACK ONTO THE PAVEMENT, THEN TRANSPORT THE TRAILER TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRAILER. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE SUBURBAN, OTHER THAN THE BROKEN HITCH. THE TRAILER IS CURRENTLY AT THE REPAIR FACILITY AND THE SUBURBAN IS AT MY HOME AWAITING MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO SEND AN ADJUSTER OUT TO SURVEY THE DAMAGE AND MAKE AN ESTIMATE. AT THIS TIME, ALL THE PARTS ARE EITHER AT THE REPAIR FACILITY OF STILL ON MY SUBURBAN AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THROUGH THE DRAWTITE WEB SITE, THAT THEY HAVE A LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THEIR PRODUCTS.*JB

NHTSA ID
10082411
Incident
Jul 19, 2004
Mileage
120,840 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Jun 4, 2004

WHEN MAKING A TURN AT HIGH SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL/BRAKES LOCKED UP TEMPORARILY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10073579
Incident
Apr 23, 2004
Mileage
152,825 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 27, 2004

THE SPARE TIRE INSIDE THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE TIRE MFR. WAS GENERAL TIRE. AMERI 550AS LT245/75R16. DOT#AD11C9B153. *NM

NHTSA ID
10074382
Incident
May 25, 2004
Mileage
169,300 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

MY SUBURBAN HAS DEVELOPED A PECULIAR PROBLEM THAT HAS LEFT EVEN THE DEALERSHIPS COMPLETELY CLUELESS!!! THE ENGINE HEATS UP TO ABOUT 180 F (STILL LESS THAN THE MID POINT ON THE GUAGE) AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS OF DRIVING -- THIS IS QUITE NORMAL. IF WE STOP AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START! WE HAVE TO WAIT A COUPLE OF HOURS WHILE THE ENGINE COOLS OFF TO ABOUT 160 F, AND IT STARTS UP JUST FINE. WE ONLY NOTICED THIS SINCE WE WERE ON A LONG CROSS COUNTRY DRIVE. THE PROBLEM IS ENTIRELY PREDICTABLE, AND WE HAD TO PLAN ON TWO HOUR STOPS DURING OUR TRIP. WE EVEN DROVE STRAIGHT TO A DEALERSHIP IN RALEIGH AFTER STRAIGHT 6 HOUR DRIVES SO THAT THEY COULD SEE AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM -- BUT THEY WERE COMPLETELY STUMPED. I WOULD LIKE CHEVROLET TO HELP DIAGNOSE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE ABS MODULE FAILED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. ONE MOMENT THE BREAKS WERE FINE, THE NEXT WE WERE FLOORING THE BREAK PEDAL AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. THE MECHANICS HAD TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT REPLACING THE UNIT ($1200 FOR THE UNIT ITSELF). THIS PROBLEM SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE ISSUE INVESTIGATED IN 1992-1995 SUBURBANS. I AM SURPRISED THAT THE RECALL WAS LIMITED TO THE LIGHTER SUVS ONLY -- A DECISION BASED ON COST (MOST PROBABLY). IT STANDS TO REASON THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE MORE CRITICAL IN HEAVIER VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID
10070707
Incident
Aug 15, 2003
Mileage
120,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

020730024A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT

3005

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

93-00 FULL SIZE UTILITIES (GMT 400 OLD STYLE ONLY) AC BLOWS WARM AND THE HIGH SIDE PRESSURE IS TOO HIGH. *MJ

990730016A

POWER TRAIN

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

01125

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SPECIAL POLICY BULLETIN REGARDING PRODUCT ENHANCEMENT BRAKE SYSTEM SUBJECTIVE FEEL / POOR BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. *TT

01005

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

SOME 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

01005

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THIS SPECIAL POLICY PRODUCT ENHANCEMENT COVERS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VACUUM POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND EBC4 ABS BRAKE MODULES EXHIBITNG POOR BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE / BRAKE SYSTEM SUBJECTIVE FEEL. *TT

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
1993Viewing4992367.2
19921895269.6
1991524160.8
1990544162.0
1989624162.9
1988304049.0
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.