1994 Chevrolet Suburban Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Chevrolet Suburban, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes58762.0%
- Visibility16817.7%
- Seat belts272.9%
- Engine252.6%
- Interior & seats222.3%
- Electrical202.1%
- Tires & wheels181.9%
- Fuel system151.6%
- Driver assistance121.3%
- Suspension111.2%
- Other / unspecified111.2%
- Transmission111.2%
- Heating & air conditioning60.6%
- Steering50.5%
- Body & structure40.4%
- Powertrain (other)40.4%
- Exterior lighting10.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph and applying the brake pedal to stop the pedal suddenly extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified. The failure mileage was 274,000.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK THAN STOP. I WIGGLE WIRE CONNECTOR TO MOTOR THAN THEY WILL WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD. IF I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THEY WILL STOP WORKING AND SOMETIMES START WORKING AGAIN. I FOUND OUT THAT 1994 SUBURBAN 4X4 ARE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE CARD THAT HAS A FAULTY SOLDER. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED MY DRIVERS SIDE CALIPER 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2003. I ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKE HOSE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CALIPERS SEEMED TO GET STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. *JB
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V150001 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SHOULDER STRAP FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER DOES NOT PULL TIGHT. *NM
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. GM DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR RETRACTOR BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY.*AK *MR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, A FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA OF THE BATTERY PRECEDED BY THICK WHITE SMOKE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC WHEELWELL GUARD AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE ABOUT TWO MINUTES AFTER THE SMOKE WAS NOTICED. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, DASHBOARD, WINDSHIELD, AND FRONT FLOOR PAN AREA WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. *TR
GENERAL MOTORS UNWILLING TO HONOR WARRANTY OBLIGATIONS UNDER A SPECIAL POLICY AMENDMENT. TSB 00064 INCREASES COVERAGE FOR ELEVEN YEARS OR 120,000 MILES FROM DATE OF SERVICE IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRONIC DIESEL FUEL INJECTION PUMP. THIS INCLUDES 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBANS. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE SEAT COLLAPSED FORWARD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO FIX THE SEAT. *AK...CONSUMER REPLACED THE FRAME. CONSUMER HAS ACTUAL SEAT FRAME AND PARTS ON HAND. ALSO, HAS AIR BAG PHOTOS. *AK
SEAT WELD BROKE ON DRIVERS SEAT. *AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, A FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA OF THE BATTERY PRECEDED BY THICK WHITE SMOKE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC WHEELWELL GUARD AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE ABOUT TWO MINUTES AFTER THE SMOKE WAS NOTICED. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, DASHBOARD, WINDSHIELD, AND FRONT FLOOR PAN AREA WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. *TR
DT: CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY THE NEIGHBOR'S DOGS WERE BARKING, SHE LOOKED OUT , AND THERE WERE SPARKS COMING OUT OF VEHICLE. SHE WOKE UP HER HUSBAND. HEARD A LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, IT BURNED THE WHOLE MOTOR, MOST OF THE INSIDE, DASHBOARD. NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE CHIEF SAID IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with two Lionhart Tires, Tire Line: LHS, Tire Size: 305/30/ZR26, DOT Number: TB2ACY50. The contact stated that he had installed two Lionhart tires on the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was a secondary vehicle that was not driven often. The contact stated that he observed a bulge on the tire, and the tire sidewall was separating from the tread next to the bulge. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 4,500 on a new installed engine. The tire failure mileage was 2,000.
1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT DAMAGING THE HEATER LINES AND RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. *BF OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0678-91. *JB UPDATED 04/14/10 *BF
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF GASOLINE LEAKAGE OTHER THAN THE ODOR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY VARIOUS REPAIR SHOPS AND DEALERS, BUT NO SOURCE OF LEAKAGE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED. *JB
UNEXPLAINED AND SUDDEN STALLING AT HIGHWAY SPEED.*AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS/MISFIRES ON ACCELERATION, AND LONGER TIME TO CRANK HOT OR COLD. AT TIMES SLIGHT TOUCH OF ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD.*AK THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF AT ANY SPEED, LOSING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AS PER RECALL 95I005, WHEN VEHICLE WAS RETURNED IT WAS WORSE. CONSUMER INSTALLED A VACUUM PUMP WHICH WAS NEEDED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK IT BACK AND WAS TOLD A LIFT PUMP WAS NEEDED AND THEY GUARANTEED THE PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED. IT WASN'T. NOW THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JG
WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ON, IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY CLICK ON AND APPLYING THE BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED. VERY SCARY, HAPPEND TWICE AND I TOOK TO DEALER WHERE THEY CHANGED A "STRIPPED NUT" ON BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
PE00.020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THEN, HE PULLED OVER, AND RIGHT REAR TIRE STARTED BLOWING UP.THERE WERE TWO SIDE POCKETS, AND SIDE TREAD EXPLODED RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS FACE. *AK
I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET THESE ISSUES REPAIRED AND HAVE SENT LETTERS, BUT THE CHEY DEALERS WILL NOT GET INVOLVED, NOR WILL THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AGREE TO RESEARCH IT ANY FARTHER. I HAVE SPENT OVER $500.00 IN FRONT END PARTS, EXHAUST PARTS AND IT IS STILL THERE. I HAVE OWNED 3 OTHER SUBURBANS AND THIS IS THE WORST DRIVING ONE I HAVE EVER HAD. ARE THERE ANY OTHER WAYS TO GET THIS CAR TO SAFELY GO DOWN THE ROAD? IT WANDERS ALL OVER AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON A WINDY DAY.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRAILER HITCH ON VEHICLE WAS CRACKED. *AK NLM.
AT 65 MPH, LEFT REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF, SHEARING 2 LUG NUTS. BRAKE JOB DONE 30 DAYS PRIOR.*AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS ON THE HIGHWAY SLOWING DOWN TO BRAKE FOR TRAFFIC & PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. ABS LIGHT OR NO OTHER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER SEEMED TO REPAIR VEHICLE, BUT IT HASNT BEEN DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED TO EXPERIENCE IT AGAIN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE STRAINING WHEN STARTING TO TAKE OFF. DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE OUT, BUT FOUND EVERYTHING TO BE OKAY. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER. GM SAYS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECAL OF OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR, MODEL AND PROBLEMS *AK *YC
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONER HAS FAILED 3 YEARS IN A ROW, REPLACED BY THE SUGGESTED MANUFACTURER PART. PART IS ONLY GUARNTEED FOR 1 YEAR AND SEEMS TO BREAK SHORTLY AFTER GUARNTEE EXPIRES.
AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND CONDENSOR REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING WHEEL DID NOT MOVE TIRES AT ALL. THE CAR DRIFTED TO RIGHT AND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO LEFT, NOTHING HAPPENED. STEERING WHEEL COULD BE SPUN WITHOUT AFFECTING TIRE MOVEMENT. DEALERSHIP THAT HAD REPLACED IDLER ARM STATED THEY COULD NOT TELL IF CAUSE OF WRECK WAS THEIR FAULT BUT WOULD FIX CAR AT THEIR COSTS. MY FEAR IS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING STRUCTURALLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO OTHERS.
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOORS AT THE BOTTOM HAVE ROTTED OUT, SEAM ON THE BOTTOM, ALL OF THE PAINT IS OFF AND RUSTING OUT FROM THE INSIDE. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ALSO ABS BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ABS LIGHT COMES ON PREMATURELY. DEALER CANNOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CARGO DOOR ON VEHICLE FELL OFF . CONSUMER STATED THAT A SEVEN YEAR OLD CHILD WAS OPERATING THE DOOR AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. MANUFACTURER TOLD THE OWNER THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR OF THE DOOR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CARRIER GEAR ON LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL CRACKED. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATES ABS DO NOT STOP VEHICLE AND CONSUMER HAS HAD TO RUN OFF THE ROAD MAY TIMES IN ORDER TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. *SLC
ABS SYSTEM FAILED-IT STARTS TO KICK IN, THEN RELEASES, SENT US INTO INTERSECTION AND NEAR MISSES WITH CARS-PAID TO HAVE BRAKES REPLACED, DIDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM (TOLD IT MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH ABS COMPUTER SYSTEM); WIPERS OCCASIONALLY BEGIN SLOWING AND WORK INTERMITTENTLY; DIFFERENTIAL WAS OUT WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE PARTS, APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING AGAIN 2 YEARS LATER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DUE TO A FAULTY LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .