RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
360
Latest Jun 27, 2014
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.
32
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Dec 15, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 360 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 360 · page 1 of 15

Steering
Filed Jun 27, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, THE TRAILER BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK AND BLOWING THE TRAILER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HARNESS WAS UNDERSIDE CAUSING ONE OF THE WIRES TO BURN OUT. AS A RESULT, THE WIRING HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 250,000. UPDATED 08/11/2014*LJ

NHTSA ID
10606400
Incident
Jun 9, 2009
Mileage
140,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 20, 2013

NOVEMBER 2010, I WENT TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP USING THE PARKING BRAKE, BUT WAS VERY CLOSE TO REAR-ENDING A CARLOAD OF PEOPLE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS MOUNTED AT THE FACTORY TO THE FRONT AXLE ON THIS 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK CAUSING IT TO VIBRATE AND COLLECT DEBRIS ON IT LEADING TO A PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO RUST. IN DECEMBER 2012, AGAIN WHEN I WENT TO STOP FROM ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN WENT ALMOST COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR, BUT AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE BY USING THE PARKING BRAKE AND RUNNING UP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS TIME THE REAR BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT AT THE "T - INTERSECTION" WHERE THE BRAKE LINE RUNS FROM THE FRONT MASTER CYLINDER TO THE REAR AXLE AND SPLITS INTO 2 LINES AT THE T INTERSECTION. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE TRUCKS AS IT WAS A BAD DESIGN, BECAUSE THE T LAYS IN A RECESSED HOLDER ATTACHED TO THE REAR AXLE, ALLOWING DIRT, SALT AND WETNESS TO ACCUMULATE IN THIS AREA AND CAUSE PREMATURE RUST AND FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LINES. THIRD, LAST WEEK, WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICED A RAW GAS SMELL AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. AGAIN I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AS GAS WAS POURING OUT OF THE FUEL LINE BY THE GAS FILTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL. THIS WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC'S REPAIR SHOP WHO AGAIN SHOWED ME THAT THE METAL FUEL LINE HAD RUSTED OUT DUE TO ITS BEING MOUNTED TO THE FRAME RAIL, CAUSING SALT, DIRT AND DEBRIS TO ACCUMULATE THERE ALSO. HE WARNED ME THAT THESE TRUCKS FREQUENTLY CATCH FIRE WHEN THESE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL INJECTION LINES RUST OUT. HE SAID HE HAD SEEN 5 OF THESE TRUCKS BURNED IN JUST THE LAST 2 YEARS AT HIS SMALL SHOP.PLEASE HELP. THESE TRUCKS ARE INHERENTLY DANGEROUSLY DESIGNED TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10544573
Incident
Nov 1, 2010
Mileage
185,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 3, 2013
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE FUEL PUMP OVER HEATED, MELTED, AND DESTROYED THE CONNECTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

NHTSA ID
10538636
Incident
Aug 31, 2013
Mileage
240,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 2011

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT 35 MPH, THE POSTED SPEED, WE LOST BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKE WAS APPLIED APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP SIGN. WE WERE UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AND PASSED ALL OF THE WAY THROUGH IT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FORTUNATELY FOR ALL THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES ( OR PEDESTRIANS) IN THIS INTERSECTION AS WE WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY HIT THEM. IT APPEARS THE BRAKE LINE(S) ON THE K2500 SUBURBAN HAVE RUSTED THROUGH IN AN AREA THAT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE WHERE THEY GO THROUGH THE FRAME AND BLEW OUT AT THIS CRITICAL MOMENT. THE DEALER IS UNWILLING TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THEY DID NOT TELL US THE BRAKES COULD ONLY BE RELIED UPON FOR THE TIME THE TRUCK IS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS, POSSIBLY DEADLY OUTCOME SINCE WE TOW A TRAILER WITH THE TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS ACTUALLY A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THESE CHEVROLET AND GMC TRUCKS. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL GIVEN THE POTENTIAL DEADLY POSSIBILITIES? TOYOTA WAS IN THE NEWS ABOUT THEIR UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION ISSUE BUT WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING ABOUT THIS UNEXPECTED LOSS OF BRAKING ISSUE? WHY IS THAT? IS NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP NOT A PROBLEM FOR THE NHTSA? *TR

NHTSA ID
10424654
Incident
Sep 10, 2011
Mileage
174,231 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 25, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

NHTSA ID
10351780
Incident
Aug 20, 2010
Mileage
179,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 12, 2008
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS SENSORS WERE CORRODED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO DISABLE THE ABS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT. THE CONTACT DOES NOT PLAN TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 191,700. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED CAN PROVIDE A LIST OF WITH OTHER CONSUMERS WITH SIMILAR DEFECTS. UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10218347
Incident
Dec 19, 2006
Mileage
190,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 1, 2006
Fire reported

1996 SUBURBAN CAUGHT ON FIRE DURING TRANSPORT DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE. *TS *NM

NHTSA ID
10175389
Incident
Sep 17, 2006
Airbags
Filed Jun 20, 2006
Crash reported

FROM: DAVID B PARKER COMMENTS: IN A CRASH ON 5/27/06 WHERE ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT HIM AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OR SLIGHTLY BELOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG IN MY 1996 CHEVY. SUBURBAN 1500 LT. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, PLEASE ADD THIS TO YOUR DATABASE; IF NOT YOU MAY WANT TO INVESTIGATE OTHER SUCH MODELS. I DO HAVE PHOTOS OF THE AFTERMATH OF THE CRASH BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTACH THEM HERE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10160219
Incident
May 27, 2006
Fuel system
Filed May 8, 2006

CONSUMER 1996 SUBURBAN CONVENTIONAL CAB FUEL INJECTION PUMP FAILED AT 12,000 - 22,000 MILES. VEHICLE ENGINE ALSO REVVED BY APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10157351
Incident
May 1, 2006
Mileage
12,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 16, 2006

ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WITH NO WARNING. THIS CAN OCCUR WHILE IDLING, ACCELERATING, CRUISE SPEED, ANY TIME OF YEAR, ANY WEATHER CONDITION. SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART BY SHIFTING TO N AND RE-CYCLING IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT HAVING TO STOP OR LEAVE ROAD. SOMETIMES, AS IS THE PRESENT CASE, IT WILL NOT RESTART. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM BEGINNING AT 80,000 MI. MANUFACTURER EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 120,000 MILES, HAS CONTINUED BEYOND WARRANTY PERIOD AND IS A SOURCE OF SAFETY CONCERN. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY (HIGH SPEED INTERSECTIONS). DEALER PERFORMED NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO FIX PROBLEM, BUT THEY CONTINUED. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT. I HAVE HAD ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER PROFESSIONAL SOURCES (AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD WAS OVER AND WAS CONVINCED THAT DEALER/MFG. COULD NOT OR WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED FUEL INJECTION PUMP 2 TIMES MINIMUM, HAVE REPLACED PMD/FSD AT LEAST 5 TIMES, REPLACED AUXILIARY/LIFT PUMP TWO TIMES, HAVE DRAINED AND CLEANED FUEL TANK 2 TIMES. MOST RECENT INJECTION PUMP REPLACEMENT WAS IN AUG/SEPTEMBER 05 (7000 MILES AGO). I HAVE SPENT AT LEAST $5000 TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ENGINE STOPPED LAST MONDAY AND WILL NOT RESTART. AM SURPRISED NO COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED BEFORE NOW.*JB

NHTSA ID
10152834
Incident
Mar 11, 2006
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 19, 2006

THE BATTERY CABLES LEAK ACID, . WHEN THE BATTERY BECOMES CORRODED, THERE IS NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THE BATTERY CABLES ARE BAD, WHICH WE HAVE REPLACED, AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. WE HAVE HAD THE BATTERIES (REPLACED MORE THAN ONE) CHECKED, AND THEY ARE FINE. WE HAVE HAD THE POSTS REPLACED, AND THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE. THE LATEST, (IM STRANDED RIGHT NOW) SEEMS TO BE THE WORST YET. AT FIRST WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING, IT WAS A COUPLE OF MONTHS APART, NOW ITS EVERY WEEK. ALSO WHEN IT STARTED THE CABLES WHERE REALLY CORRODED BEFORE THE ENGINE QUIT. NOW THEY CAN BE WIPED OFF WITH A DRY TOWEL. ALSO, THE A/C HAS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO CRACKS IN HOSES. (FROM THE ACID) BEING AS I LIVE IN TEXAS, EVEN IF THE TRUCK IS RUNNING I CANT DRIVE IT IN THE SUMMER, EVEN IF WE FIX THE HOSES IT HAPPENS AGAIN. WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER THE LAST TIME, THEY TOLD ME THE BATTERY WAS FINE, BUT I NEEDED TO SPEND 400.00 TO HAVE THE CABLES REPLACED AGAIN. HOW IS THIS PROBLEM REALLY CORRECTED. TALKING TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD SUBURBANS I HAVE FOUND THAT A NUMBER OF THEM HAVE HAD VEHICLE FIRES DUE TO THE ACID PROBLEM!!! HAVING CHILDREN IN THE CAR, IM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY TRUCK. (WHEN IT EVEN STARTS) I CANNOT SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE AND PUT THEM IN DANGER. THE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP A 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN THE TRUCK. WELL IT IS GOING OUT AGAIN AND I KEEP IT FULL! ALSO, SOMETHING TO DO W/ THE ABS BOOSTER BEING BAD. WELL MY BRAKES ARE FAILING AGAIN. (LESS THAN A YEAR LATER) THE PADS ARE FINE. THE ACID LEAKING HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO OUR DRIVEWAYS, NOT TO MENTION THE KIDS AND ANIMALS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD GETTING INTO THE ACID ON THE GROUND. PLEASE SEND ME ANY INFO THAT MIGHT HELP ME. IM AM GOING TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND TALK TO THEM AGAIN ABOUT THE INFORMATION THE I HAVE FOUND, RE: IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS IS HAPPENING TO. *NM

NHTSA ID
10148079
Incident
Jan 19, 2006
Fuel system
Filed Nov 29, 2005

FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. FUEL PUMP FUSE BLOWN. REMOVED FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT ASSEMBLY, FOUND WIRING BURNT/CHARRED INSIDE FUEL TANK. REPLACED ENTIRE SENDING UNIT. 30K MILES LATER, SAME MALFUNCTION. WIRING BURNT AT THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10143861
Incident
Nov 28, 2005
Mileage
171,038 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 27, 2005

DT: 1996 GMC SUBURBAN , WHILE PULLING OUT FROM THE POST OFFICE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN. CONSUMER PUSHED DOWN VERY HARD, DID NOT PUMP THE BRAKES. FINALLY, THE BRAKES STARTED WORKING, THE BRAKE PEDAL JERKED/ WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE STOPPED. THE BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON . HEARD A REAL STRANGE NOISE, AND BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. THIS ONLY HAPPENED THIS TIME AND HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES.

NHTSA ID
10130346
Incident
Jul 21, 2005
Mileage
64,635 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system+3 more
Filed Jul 15, 2005

1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, INTAKE MANIFOLD, ENGINE COOLING, TRANSMISSION, TIRES, FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL CONSUMPTION AND WIPERS.*MR CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT DO ANYTHING BUT TAKE THE BATTERY CABLE OFF TO RESET THE COMPUTER AND THE BRAKES WERE NEVER LOOKED AT. *TT

NHTSA ID
10130223
Incident
Dec 18, 2004
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 29, 2005

1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN TRANSMISSION FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. *MR THERE WAS NO THIRD GEAR AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS REPAIRED AND 2 JOINTS WERE REPLACED IN THE FRONT SHAFT. *SC

NHTSA ID
10126876
Incident
Jun 1, 1999
Mileage
29,452 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 22, 2005

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING. NABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE, HAD TO COAST TO OFF-RAMP. TRANSMISSION HAD TO TOTALLY REPLACE. PRE-ATURE WEAR, METAL FILLING WERE FOUND AND MISSING PART IN TRANSMISSION ACCORDING TO TECHNICIAN.*AK

NHTSA ID
10114481
Incident
Aug 10, 2003
Mileage
57,280 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 11, 2005

ABS FAILURE. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES COMING TO A STOP, THE ABS STARTS ENGAGING MAKING THE VEHICLE PULL TO ONE SIDE AND MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET VEHICLE STOPPED IN TIME BECAUSE OF THE ABS ENGAGING. THIS IS HAPPENING SPORADICALLY. AND HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WITH MY WIFE DRIVING. VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF OTHER SUBURBANS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10110330
Incident
Feb 3, 2005
AirbagsBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Jan 20, 2005
Fire reported

DRIVING FROM WORK-SNOWY/ICY CONDITIONS. SMELLED A STRANGE ODOR IN VEHICLE GOING FROM I-270S TO I-370W ~ 1/4 MILE FROM RAMP. TRAFFIC MODERATE. TRAVELING 45 MPH I TAPPED BRAKES, THEY WENT ALL WAY TO FLOOR. TURNED OFF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. USED ENGINE BRAKING SELECTING 3-2-1 TO SLOW VEHICLE. VEHICLE SLOWED, APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE - DROVE TO BRAKE DOWN LANE. VEHICLE STOPPED-WHITE SMOKE COMING AROUND EDGES OF HOOD. LOWER PORTION OF WINDSHIELD HAD COUPLE OF HEAT DISCOLORATION MARKS ABOUT 1/4 SIZE OF A PENNY IN THE MIDDLE LOWER PORTION. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DASH DID NOT FEEL HOT, NOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL - NO SMOKE INSIDE VEHICLE. HOOD WOULD NOT OPEN BY HOOD RELEASE. POWER WINDOWS WORKED. EGRESSED VEHICLE AND DRIVER SDIE AIR BAG INFLATED. CALLED 911 AWAITED FIRE/POLCIE DEPT. OPENED DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER DOORS. FLAMES COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN WHERE IT ENTERS FIRE WALL. FLAMES UNDERNEATH VEHICLE FROM ENGINE NEAR SKID PLATE/TRANSFER CASE. USED SMALL FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON FLAMES IN CABIN AND UNDER VEHICLE TO NO AVAIL. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FROM CENTER CONSOLE TO DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR MELTED AWAY AT ABOUT 45 DEG ANGLE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM OF CONSOLE. INSIDE ENGINE THE THYDRAULIC DRIVE UNIT AND BARKE MASTER CYCLINDER HAD MELTED. SIGNIFICANT BURN DAMAGE FROM FIRE IN ENGINE. VEHICLE-TOTAL LOSS. VERY FORTUNATE TO RECOGNIZE BAD SMELL, ID BRAKE MALFUNCTION, USE ENGINE BRAKING TO CONTROL VEHICLE; USE EMERGENCY BRAKING TO STOP - MODERATE TRAFFIC. MINIMIZED POTENTIAL HAZARD TO SINGLE VEHICLE-NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10107606
Incident
Jan 13, 2005
Mileage
174,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 21, 2004

RECALL 03V159 000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR: WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL BACK IN 1999. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND THE WIPERS ONLY WORK SOMETIMES. *TC *JB

NHTSA ID
10089083
Incident
Apr 1, 2004
Mileage
120,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 31, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT THE STEERING WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY STIFF. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FOUND INOPERATIVE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10084038
Incident
Jun 24, 2001
Mileage
49,049 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 4, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK DECLINED BACKWARDS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE, AND VEHICLE SERVED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE OUT OF THE DITCH, AND DRIVE THE HOME. CONSUMER BACK, LOWER NECK AREA, AND CHEST WERE SORE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE PARKED IN CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10087151
Incident
Aug 3, 2004
Mileage
102,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 3, 2004

I HAVE REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET TWICE NOW FOR MY 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. BOTH TIMES IT HAS COST ME OVER $650.00. BOTH MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THEY SEE THESE AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK ON THE 5.7 ENGINES. THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG. THEY ACTUALLY LAUGHED WHEN I ASKED THEM IF IT WAS SET UP AS A RECALL ITEM FOR THIS ENGINE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10074735
Incident
Dec 15, 2003
Mileage
97,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 24, 2004

FAN SWITCH LOCATED ON THE DASHBOARD THAT CONTROLLED THE AIR VENTILATION MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SWITCH AND THE WIRING HARNESS TWICE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A HIGH DEMAND PART. *AK

NHTSA ID
10074113
Incident
Jun 12, 2002
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 17, 2004

I HAVE OWNED 2 1996-1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN AND HAVE HAD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK ON BOTH AT ABOUT 85000 MILES. I DID A LITTLE LOCAL RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE VORTEC 5.7 ENGINE. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE ENGINE AREA, THE SERVICE WRITER SAID THIS WAS MOST LIKELY THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAUSE THEY GET THAT ALL THE TIME. TOAY, I NOTICED A COOLANT PUDDLE IN MY DRIVE WAY AND UPON LOOKING INTO IT, MY LATEST 1996 SUBURBAN WITH A VORTEC 5.7 IS LEAKING AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS IS A COSTLY PROBLEM TO THE CONSUMER. IT COSTS APPROXIMATELY $500.00 TO HAVE THIS DONE. I NOW MUST MAKE THE DECISSION TO HAVE IT FIXED AT THE DEALER FOR $500 OR TO DO IT MYSELF FOR ABOUT $150.00 AND A DAY OF HEADACHES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10072711
Incident
May 15, 2004
Mileage
115,000 mi
BrakesTires & wheels
Filed May 8, 2004

ANTI LOCKS SYSTEM KICKS IN AT ALMOST EVERY STOP. STARTS TO VIBRATE AT 4 TO 5 MPH. AT DIAGNOSTIC BEFORE WE COULDN'T GET A READING PERIOD, IT WAS ON LIFT STANDING STILL. *AK ABS WAS READIND MOVING AT 3MPH.

NHTSA ID
10068494
Incident
Apr 20, 2004

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