1993 Chevrolet Suburban Problems

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

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

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER QUITS WORKING WHEN IN USE. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR 03V159000, BUT THE MODEL YEAR WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. *PH *CB *JB

CONSUMER STATES WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, SOMETIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK, AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT WORK. WHEN THE INDICATOR IS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK. THEN, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN CONSUMER CANNOT TURN THEM OFF. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND RECEIVED A RECALL ON CHEVROLET, SUBURBAN,1994, BUT CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON HER CHEVROLET, SUBURBAN,1993. HUSBAND HAS NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE, BUT SHE HAS.*AK

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

CONSUMER NOTICED THREE TIRES EXPERIENCED FAILURES. THE TWO REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, AND THE PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE DEVELOPED CRACKS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURUE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK

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.

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT INTO THE RETRACTOR. *AK CONSUMER NOTED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY LEAVING IT USELESS IN A CRASH. *PH *NLM

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

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.

THE ALL 4 DOOR LATCHES MALFUNCTIONED.*JB

SEAT IS SIX WAY POWER AND SEAT BASE ANCHOR TO POWER MECHANISM BROKE BROKE NOW SEAT CONNECT ON ONLY THREE SIDES AND LEANS BACK. *AK

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

THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND A KNOCKING/ BANGING NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB

CONSUMER'S SON WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH. WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT APPLIED BRAKES, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT PROBLEM COULDN'T BE DUPLICATED. ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WASN'T OPERABLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING WITH 8 PASSENGERS, PUT CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 65 MPH AND IT STAYED ON AND NOTHING WOULD SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. MANAGED TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN BY STANDING ON BRAKES, PUTTING GEAR IN NEUTRAL, AND TURNING ENGINE OFF. DEALER CONTACTED AND REPAIRWORK DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

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.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

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

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

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

EA95-02O; CONSUMER STATES WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OCCASSIONALLY, UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP. THE ABS BRAKES KICK IN, CAUSING NO RESPONSE TO THE WHEEL, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT A ACCIDENT ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER.*AK ALSO BRAKES PADS WERE WORN OUT AND MAKING NOISES, CASSETTE PLAYER WAS INOPERABLE.*JB

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

ANTILOCK BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED.

HORN FREQUENTLY FAILS.

REAR SEALS FAILED, ALLOWING FLUID TO COLLECT ON REAR BRAKES; ALSO CABS/AXLE SEALS LEAKED ON REAR BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS. *AK

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS; WHEN SWITCHING THE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH FROM HIGH TO LOW, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY. THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK

A BROKEN TAB ON THE FUSE BOX HOLDER, RESULTING IN OVERHEAD CONSOLE DOOR TO JAM.

REAR CROSS MEMBER FAILED CAUSING SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL TO BREAK LOOSE.

SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BROKE LOOSE.

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

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