Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Engine 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.
18
Latest Oct 17, 2007
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.
4%
of 499 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.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4
What this page shows
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1993 Chevrolet Suburban submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 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 engine
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
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
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
Engine
Filed Oct 22, 2001
Fire reported
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SEVERELY DAMAGED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-89-257)*JB
NHTSA ID
563738
Incident
Aug 1, 2001
BrakesEngineTransmission+1 more
Filed Jul 27, 1999
Crash reported
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED THE FIRST TIME ON A BRIGHT SUNNY DRY DAY , I WAS UNABLE TO BRING MY SUBURBAN TO A STOP WITH PLENTY OF DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS CITED FOR UNASSURED CLEAR DISTANCE SINCE NO SKID MARKS OR OTHER EXPLANATION COULD BE GIVEN AT THE TIME. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS AND CLOSE CALLS SINCE THE FIRST ACCIDENT. WE HAVE NOT HAD THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM REPLACED AND WERE UNAWARE THAT THE UNIT MIGHT CAUSE PROBLEMS UNTIL WE RECENTLY SAW THE RECALL WHICH EXPLAINS PERFECTLY THE TYPE OF INCIDENTS WE HAVE HAD TO TRY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WE DEFINATELY WANT THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER TO PURSUE THE ANTI-LOCK RECALL ON THE 1993 SUBURBANS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED. I COMPLAINED BITTERLY TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ALL BUT $350 WAS COVERED IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE GEARSHIFT IN THE OVERDRIVE POSITION. THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT MAINTAIN A LOCK IN THE OVERDRIVE POSITION AND WOULD CONSTANTLY SHIFT BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 3RD AND OVERDRIVE GEAR.
NHTSA ID
709295
Incident
Nov 24, 1995
ElectricalEngineTransmission
Filed Jun 28, 1999
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ID
707982
Incident
May 22, 1997
EngineTransmission
Filed Sep 10, 1998
TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING NOISE AND SMOKE TO COME THROUGH THE ROOF.
NHTSA ID
539895
Engine
Filed Jun 23, 1998
RADIATOR WAS NOTICED LEAKING AROUND 36,000 MILES. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS WITH NO SUCCESS. EVERY REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE EXCEPT REPLACING OF RADIATOR.
NHTSA ID
537444
Incident
Jun 1, 1995
Engine
Filed Mar 1, 1998
RADIATOR FAILED.
NHTSA ID
531577
Incident
Oct 12, 1995
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Nov 4, 1997
ALTERNATOR FAILED/REPLACED.
NHTSA ID
524279
Incident
Mar 14, 1996
EngineSuspension
Filed Oct 7, 1997
REAR CROSS MEMBER FAILED CAUSING SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL TO BREAK LOOSE.
NHTSA ID
523582
Incident
Jul 21, 1997
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Feb 5, 1997
A BROKEN TAB ON THE FUSE BOX HOLDER, RESULTING IN OVERHEAD CONSOLE DOOR TO JAM.
NHTSA ID
514550
Incident
Mar 15, 1994
Engine
Filed Feb 1, 1997
THE ORIGINAL RADIATOR FAILED AT 27,000 MILES. THE REPLACEMENT RADIATOR FAILED 20,000 MILES LATER AT 47,000 MILES, REPAIRS WERE MADE AND AGAIN HAS FAILED AT 56,000 MILES.
NHTSA ID
546587
Incident
Jun 24, 1996
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed Nov 27, 1996
CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED.
NHTSA ID
511834
Incident
Aug 1, 1993
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 13, 1996
HORN FREQUENTLY FAILS.
NHTSA ID
511335
Incident
Oct 31, 1996
Engine
Filed Jun 14, 1996
847-437-6850,WK AT ENGINE TEMP. OF 95 DEGREES, THE CLUTCH FAN KICKED IN, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER. *AK
NHTSA ID
985634
Incident
May 27, 1996
EngineSteering
Filed Oct 18, 1995
Crash reported4 injuries reported
PUFF OF BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF ENGINE, THEN STEERING WENT OUT AND WHEELS WOBBLED. VEHICLE TURNED OVER. TT
NHTSA ID
973559
Incident
Sep 27, 1995
BrakesHeating & air conditioningEngine+2 more
Filed Oct 17, 1995
Crash reported
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT. TT VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER PRIOR TO ACCIDENT REGARDING BRAKE PROBLEMS, DEALER HAD RESURFACED REAR DRUMS, SANDED LINGINGS, AND REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS. ENGINE REVS TO 1500 RPMS AFTER SITTING 20 TO 25 MINUTES, ENGINE RUNS ROUGH. SEAT BELTS DO NOT ALWAYS RETRACT. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD. WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON MEDIUM OR HIGH, VEHICLE'S ENGINE REVS TO 2500 RPMS ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. *SLC
NHTSA ID
973439
Incident
Nov 15, 1994
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed Jan 5, 1995
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LONG STOPPING DISTANCE, DEALER SAID ABS OPERATION IS NORMAL. TT
NHTSA ID
958309
Incident
Dec 1, 1993
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