1997 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 1997 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
- Steering10521.8%
- Brakes9619.9%
- Fuel system469.5%
- Electrical428.7%
- Transmission387.9%
- Visibility377.7%
- Tires & wheels275.6%
- Engine214.4%
- Suspension193.9%
- Powertrain (other)102.1%
- Interior & seats91.9%
- Airbags81.7%
- Seat belts71.5%
- Heating & air conditioning51.0%
- Body & structure40.8%
- Other / unspecified30.6%
- Driver assistance30.6%
- Exterior lighting20.4%
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ERRATIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN ERRATIC CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. STARTED IN 2006 AND ENDED IN 2009. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES TO NO AVAIL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FULLY LOADED, THE CONTACT NOTICES THAT THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC 15 TIMES AND THEY HAVE MADE NUMEROUS REPAIRS, INCLUDING VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THE STEERING UNIT, STEERING SENSORS, ACTUATOR, AND ALSO ADDITIONS TO THE SPRINGS OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. ALL OF THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT ADEQUATELY REPAIRED THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,464 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 10/08/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/10/08. *JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THE BRAKES WORE QUICKLY BUT WE DIDN'T REALIZE HOW QUICKLY UNTIL WE HAD ISSUES AND GOT THE REPAIR INFORMATION. NEW BRAKES ABOUT EVERY 4 MONTHS ARE NEEDED. ONCE THEY START WEARING THE PADS AND ROTORS ARE GONE WITHIN A DAY. THIS TIME I NEARLY RAN INTO SOMEONE THEY DETERIORATED SO FAST. I'VE READ THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MANY MORE OF THE SAME VEHICLES
DECEMBER 2009, REPLACED RUPTURED BRAKE LINES ABOVE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SEVERELY RUSTED. JULY 15, 2012, RUPTURED BRAKE LINE BY THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD AND FIRE WALL. SEVERELY RUSTED. FUEL LINES UNDER THE VEHICLE IS ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. LEAK CAN CAUSE FIRE. BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING DRIVING ON ROAD. *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
DECEMBER 2009, REPLACED RUPTURED BRAKE LINES ABOVE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SEVERELY RUSTED. JULY 15, 2012, RUPTURED BRAKE LINE BY THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD AND FIRE WALL. SEVERELY RUSTED. FUEL LINES UNDER THE VEHICLE IS ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. LEAK CAN CAUSE FIRE. BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING DRIVING ON ROAD. *TR
1997 CHEVY SUBURBAN IN-TANK FUEL SENDING UNIT FIRE: BOUGHT VEHICLE USED WITH 88000 MILES. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE / BURN UP OF THE UNIT INCLUDED INTERMITTENT FUEL PUMP AND FUEL GAUGE FAILURE, HAD PUMP REPLACED BY PATRICK GMC, PROBLEM PERSISTED, HAD DEALER WOLF CHEVROLET CHECK FUEL PRESSURE THROUGHOUT SYSTEM (OK). ALSO NOTICED AN INTERMITTENT BURNING SMELL. I THEN PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER A REPLACEMENT SENDING UNIT AND ANOTHER FUEL PUMP, AS SOON AS I TOOK THE SENDER OUT OF THE TANK IT WAS OBVIOUSLY CHARRED AND THE MODULAR CONNECTOR BURNT TO A CRISP, WIRES COMPLETELY EXPOSED WITH THE INSULATION GONE PARTIALLY DISINTEGRATED THE ABS PLUG. THIS THING GOT REALLY HOT REPEATEDLY. THE LOWER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT WAS LUCKILY NEVER REACHED WITHIN THE TANK OR THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SPONTANEOUS EXPLOSION, ESPECIALLY IF THE TANK LOST ITS SEAL AND ALLOWED OUTSIDE AIR INSIDE, (SUCH AS WHEN THE TANK IS EMPTY AND IS PULLING VACUUM), FOR INSTANCE UNSCREWING THE GAS CAP IN IDEAL CONDITIONS NEXT TO A GAS PUMP WITH A 44 GALLON TANK VOID SUCKING IN AS MUCH OXYGEN IN AS THE FILLER TUBE WILL ALLOW, AND HITTING THAT GLOWING RED HOT SENDING UNIT. OLD PART IS IN MY POSSESSION AND IS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY SENDER. INCIDENT DATE IS APPROX. WHEN I PERFORMED THE REPAIR AND DISCOVERED THE BURNED UP SENDER. *NM
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I STOPPED TO GET GAS ANC CUT MY TRUCK OFF. I GOT BACK IN IT AND CUT IT ON AN DROVE ABOUT 30 YARDS I NOTICED A SMELL LIKE BURNING WIRES. SO I CUT IT OFF GOT OUT CHECKED THE OUTSIDE THE SMELL IS ONLY ON THE INSIDE. THEN I POPPED THE HOOD AN SMELLED THE SAME SMELL. I PUSHED IT AND PARKED IT. MY CLICKER IS NOT WORKING TO UNLOCK OR LOCK IT, THE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF AND IT MAKES THE RINGING SOUND AS IF THE DRIVER DOOR IS OPEN EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT. I TOOK THE BATTERY OUT TO SEE IF IT WAS THAT BUT ITS FULLY CHARGED.
DT: THIS MORNING HIT THE BRAKES COMING DOWN THE HILL AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN, COULD NOT CONTROL STEERING AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK EITHER. THE ELECTRIC AND POWER FAILURE, COULDN'T DO ANYTHING WITH THE VEHICLE. IT HASN'T BE CHECKED BY DEALER YET.*AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANMISSION FAILED AFTER BUYING USED AT 75000 MILES. I CALLED GM AND CHECK FOR RECALL INFO. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER BROUGHT IT BACK AFTER BUYING NEW AND HAD THE TRANS REDONE. EVERY 15000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BROKE AGAIN. THEN IT BROKE A THIRD TIME. FORTUNATLEY I HAD THE EXTENDED WARRENTY AND DIDNT HAVE TO PAY THE 2ND AND THIRD TIMES. THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION PLACE BUT AFTER READIND OTHER COMPLAINTS I SEE ITS THE VEHICLE. WHEN IS GM GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WHEN SOMEONE DIES> WHEN YOU LOSE THE GEAR THERE IS A DRAMATIC DECLINE IN SPEED AND ITS HARD TO STEER. FEELS LIKE THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM KICKS IN. I SHOULD KNOW IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TO ME. NOW IM STUCK WITH THIS JUNK.*AK
I BOUGHT A USED 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. IT WAS IN EXCELLENT-LOOKING SHAPE AND LOW MILES. I HAVE HAD IT NOW FOR 3 YEARS. I HAVE REPEATEDLY HAD TO HAVE IT WORKED ON. I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, BATTERY CABLES, AND STARTER; AND HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT TWICE. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE HEATER CORE REPLACED AND THE RADIATOR WORKED ON. I DO NOT DRIVE THAT MUCH, AND I HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICED REGULARLY. IT'S ALWAYS NEEDING WORK. I'VE HAD IT FOR SALE FOR A WHILE, BUT CAN'T SELL IT FOR EVEN A SMALL SUM. *AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT AND CONFIRMED THAT REMEDY REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:03V159000(VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VHEICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,200.
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE ON RAINY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. *TR
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A WALL. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR B.F. GOODRICH TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT STILL HAS THE TIRE AND THE TREAD. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE VEHICLE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,000.
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE CAME APART ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CONSUMER HAS WRITTEN TO BRIDGESTONE. THEY WOULD NEED THE TIRE TO BE SENT TO THEM TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE TIRE SEPARATION. CONSUMER REFUSED TO SEND THE TIRE TO THE MANUFACTURER. *AK THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN C-2500 IS LEAKING OIL FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE AND MAKING ENGINE VERY "HOT". THIS HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.I TOUCH THE ENGINE HOOD AND FEEL THAT IT'S VERY, VERY HOT. I JUST WENT HOME TO PREVENT ANY FIRE OR ACCIDENT. MY MECHANIC SAID IT'S NOT ORDINARY FOR THIS HEAVY DUTY TRUCK TO LEAK OIL WITH ONLY 77,000 MILES. I NEED YOU TO INVESTIGATE MY PROBLEM AND CONTACT GM. YOU CAN EMAIL ME AT [XXX] FOR AN UPDATES REGARDING THIS PROBLEMS. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. THANKS. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IT BURST INTO FLAMES. OUR DOGS WOKE US UP. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED 7 MINUTES LATER THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE ENGINE AND UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WERE UNDAMAGED BY THE FIRE. A TREE NEAR THE CAR ALSO CAUGHT FIRE. CHEVROLET SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON OUR CAR. THEY DO NOT SEEM INTERESTED IN EXAMINING THE CAR SINCE WE SETTLED WITH OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. NEITHER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NOR THE POLICE SUSPECT ARSON. IT WOULD APPEAR TO BE ELECTRICAL. IF THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN OUR GARAGE WE WOULD HAVE LOST OUR HOUSE. *TR
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FULLY LOADED, THE CONTACT NOTICES THAT THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC 15 TIMES AND THEY HAVE MADE NUMEROUS REPAIRS, INCLUDING VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THE STEERING UNIT, STEERING SENSORS, ACTUATOR, AND ALSO ADDITIONS TO THE SPRINGS OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. ALL OF THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT ADEQUATELY REPAIRED THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,464 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 10/08/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/10/08. *JB
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
"CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMES ON AFTER SHORT HIGHWAY DRIVE (ABOUT 30 MINUTES). THEN TRANSMISSIONS SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR, ASSOCIATED WITH A HARD CLUNK WHEN FINALLY IT SHIFTS. DEALER HAS REPLACED A "SPRING" WITH A HEAVIER DUTY ONE, BUT FIX IS TEMPORARY. CODE 1870 SHOWS UP AS DIAGNOSIS AT DEALER. L60E TRANSMISSIONS ARE THE CULPRIT.
DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING BOLT SHEERED OFF INTO REAR AXLE GEARS. DT
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A1997 CHEVY SUBURBAN LT. WE ASKED A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER TO FIX THE DOORS TO CLOSE PROPERLY, WHICH THEY CLAIMED TO DO. I NOTICED THAT THE DOOR DID NOT LINE UP AND THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED THE STRIKE PLATE. EVIDENTLY THAT MEANS THEY USED A SLEDGE HAMMER. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ONE OF THE LOCKED DOORS OPENED UP AS SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. LUCKILY MY 4 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN HIS CARSEAT. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE. SHE COULD NOT RECLOSE THE DOOR AND SO SHE TIED IT SHUT. I FOUND THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS STILL SHUT. I HELD THE HANDLE UP AND MANUALLY LIFTED THE LATCH AFTER WHICH THE DOOR WOULD CLOSE. ANOTHER SAFTEY ISSUE; WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS SUDDENLY TO THE RIGHT. I LIVE IN A MOUNTAINOUS AND OCCASIONAL SNOW AREA. I WORRY THAT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL JERKING, AND SOMETIMES IT HAS SENT ME TOWARDS THE LANE NEXT TO ME, THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED ONCE AFTER THE SHAFT COMPLETLY SEPERATED FROM THE PUMP WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STEEP MOUNTAIN WITH 7 BOYSCOUTS FROM A CAMPING TRIP IN THE SNOW. LET ME TELL YOU IF THAT HAD BEEN MY WIFE IN THE CAR SHE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CLIFF. IN 2 1/2 YRS. I HAVE REPLACED THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ACTUATOR, DOOR HANDLES, TRANSMISSION, REAR END SEALS AND AXLE, FRONT END, A/C EVERYTHING,WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH OF SOME SORT,BRAKES EVERY 20,000 OR SO, THEY TELL ME THE HEAD GASKET IS BAD,THERE IS A WHINING SOUND I THINK IS THE FAN CLUTCH,AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE ITS EITHER THE U JOINTS OR THE LIMITED SLIP CLUTCHES, HUB OR BOTH. I DO NOT FEEL THAT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE SAFE IN THIS CAR. ALL LAMB CHEVROLET OF PRESCOTT VALLEY AZ HAS SAID IS THEY WARRANTY THEIR VEHICLES TO 36,000 MILES. THEY OFFERED TO SELL ME ONE OF THEIR NICE NEW TAHOES. WHICH HE CLAIMS THEY HAVE IMPROVED. OH YEA THE SALES PRICE IS 42,000. ON A 36,000 VEHICLE BECAUSE I AM UPSIDE DOWN ON THE CAR THEY SOLD ME 2 YEARS AGO.*AK
LEFT SIDE OF DRIVER'S SEAT TILTS BACK AND FORTH WHICH MAY CAUSE DRIVER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER SAYS A RUNNER ON THE BOTTOM OF SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOYED AM VEER DISAPPOINTED MY SON WAS INJURED. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT 25-30 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO LOCAL HOSPITAL. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
GRACO CHILD SAFETY SEAT FAILED ( MODEL/8446LVIN). *MR *SCC *NLM
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY CLOSED THE BUCKLE WILL LOOSEN. ALSO CENTER AND REAR SEAT BELTS LOOSEN WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. *TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS FAILURE, ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND FRONT AND REAR BRAKE FAILURE. THIS CORRESPONDENCE IS NOT AVAILABLE VIA .I BELIEVE THE LETTER MAY HAVE BEEN MISPLACED WHILE IN TRANSITION FROM DIMMS TO ARTEMIS VIA TRAN TECH EMPLOYEES. THE POWER WINDOWS AND AIR CONDITION FAILED. THERE WAS A VIOLENT GEAR CHANGE BETWEEN 2 WHEEL DRIVE AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE BATTERY LEAKED AND ALSO THE CABLES WERE CORRODED, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. *JB
TRUCK STALLS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY DEFECT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. ACCIDENTS AVOIDED THUS FAR, BUT NEXT TIME, I MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. PLEASE POST THESE COMMENTS, TO WARN OTHER CONSUMERS. GMC IS DENYING RESPONSIBILITY, HAS FLATLY REFUSED TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE, AND CONTINUES TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS THING...ME AND MY PASSENGERS(VERY OFTEN A TROOP OF GIRL SCOUTS) ARE IN DANGER, AND SO IS ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HOPE THAT NO ONE DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. PLEASE HELP ME.*AK
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
HOOD LATCH ON 1997 CHEVY SUBURBAN KEEP FAILING, HOOD FLIES UP WHILE DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN TWO YEARS. *TR
LEFT REAR CARGO DOOR OF CHEVROLET SUBURBAN NEVER OPENED QUITE RIGHT. YOU HAD TO PUSH IN ON THE DOOR, PULL THE LATCH, AND THEN OPEN IT. OVER TIME IT HAS BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. TIP TOP CHEVROLET IN FAIRBANKS, AK, WON'T FIX IT. I BELIEVE IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE LOST STEERING AND BRAKING ON 1996 6.5 TURBO DIESEL SUBURBAN THREE TIMES NOW I DRIVE NORMALLY. I AM 42 AND HAVE A FAMILY OF SEVEN. WHEN BRAKING THE POWER BOOSTER HAS ZERO PRESSURE AND IT IS VERY HARD TO STOP AND AT THE VERY SAME TIME ALL POWER STEERING IS LOST. I THOUGHT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, SO I REPLACED IT, NO CHANGE. STILL NO POWER BRAKES OR STEERING. I REPLACED HYDROBOOST UNIT BRAKING AND STEERING RETURNED. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HYDROBOOST THREE TIMES IN 8 MONTHS. I COMPLETELY REMOVED THE SOLENOID MAGNET FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO TEST IF THE POWER STEERING PUMP CAUSES THE HYDRO BOOST UNIT TO FAIL, I DID THIS BETWEEN HYDRO UNIT 1 AN 2, I REINSTALLED MAGNET BETWEEN UNIT 2 AND 3 THE FIRST TIME I LOST BRAKING AND STEERING THERE WAS NO WARNING, I WENT TO STOP AND HAD HARD, NON POWER BRAKES AND NO POWER STEERING. THE SECOND, THIRD TIME I KNEW TO REPLACE THE HYDROBOOST UNIT, WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING THE STEERING GETS HARD OR THE BRAKES GET HARD, THEN I REPLACE THE HYDROBOOST UNIT, BRAKE AND STEERING RETURN TO NORMAL I COMPLETELY FLUSHED THE POWER STEERING FLUID EACH TIME INTO A CLEAN BUCKET, NO BIG PARTICLES OR HOSE MATERIAL. THIS BRAKING SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS, IMAGINE DRIVING DOWN A WINDING TWO LANE STEEP DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN ROAD, WITH A HEAVY SUBURBAN AND YOU LOOSE STEERING AND BRAKES I TURNED IN THE ORIGINAL PARTS AS CORES TO GET MY MONEY BACK. *NM
WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY WITH OUR 32 FOOT TRAVEL TRAILER ATTACHED THE VEHICLE HITCH BROKE. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 45000 MILES OF TOWING THE TRAILER ON THIS HITCH. IT APPEARS THAT THE WELDS WERE NOT DEEP ENOUGH ON THE LEFT SIDE. I HAVE REPLACED THE HITCH WITH THE SAME PART NUMBER AT A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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 VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION IT ACCELERATED AND REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK *MR
WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT, EVEN ROAD AT ABOUT 45 MPH, THE STEERING RESISTANCE JUST DISAPPEARED FOR A FEW SECONDS. THIS WAS FRIGHTENING BECAUSE THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING FOR THOSE FEW SECONDS AND I DRIFTED A LITTLE INTO THE OTHER LANE. MY HUSBAND AND I EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE NEXT DAY AND ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. WE WERE TEST DRIVING THE CAR AND BROUGHT THE PROBLEM UP TO THE CHEVY DEALER ON RETURN. THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT BUT AGREED TO LOWER THE PURCHASE PRICE BY THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST. WE HAD IT FIXED THE NEXT DAY AT THE SAME CHEVY PLACE (I FELT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THAT CONDITION). THEY REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR AND CHARGED US $260. THE REPAIR APPEARS TO HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM.
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
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ALMOST CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS. *MR THE OTHER VEHICLE'S, ESPECIALLY THE TRUCKS, THOUGHT THAT THE CONSUMER WAS FLASHING THE LIGHTS FOR THEM TO ALLOW HIM TO PASS AND WAS RUN OFF OF THE ROAD EACH TIME. *SC *JB
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE INTERIOR MOUNTED STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT BURNED THE WHOLE INTERIOR INSIDE OF VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FIRE MOUNTED STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY BULB HAD BURNED OUT, DEALER REPLACED BULB. FIRE SMOTHERED ITSELF OUT. AK
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 .