RoadVitals

1993 GMC Suburban

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
212
Latest Sep 10, 2007
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
1 currently open
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.
35
10 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 212 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 GMC Suburban, most frequently naming the brakes, visibility and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 13 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
01I006000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Jul 2, 2001
255,770 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1992-1994 CHEVROLET AND GMC SUBURBANS EQUIPPED WITH VACUUM POWER-BRAKE ASSIST AND EBC4 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) MODULES. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT POOR BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE.
The risk: THIS COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO BRAKE PEDAL FEEL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BRAKE PEDAL PAD. IN ADDITION, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE-BOOSTER OUTPUT ROD AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP00001OpenDefect Petition

OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING

Opened Jan 31, 2000

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

EQUIPMENT
EA95026ClosedEngineering Analysis

POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE

Opened Sep 20, 1995
Closed Sep 20, 2001

POOR PERFORMANCE OF ABS BRAKES

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 01I006000
EA94029ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Jul 29, 1994
Closed Jul 31, 1996

AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 212
Fuel system
Filed Sep 10, 2007

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

NHTSA ID
10202340
Incident
Aug 15, 2007
Mileage
148,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Mar 24, 2004

THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER STRAP DOES NOT TIGHTEN UP. *NM

NHTSA ID
10063774
Incident
Aug 16, 2002
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 12, 2004

REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER ON MY 1993 SUBURBAN K1500 BROKE AND LOCKED THE REAR WHEELS, FORM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE ON THESE TRUCKS AND GM SHOULD BE AWARE OF HOW OFTEN THESE THINSG BREAK AND THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL OF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED.

NHTSA ID
10057104
Incident
Jun 21, 2003
Mileage
165,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 12, 2004
Crash reported2 injuries reported

REAR ENDED SOMEONE DUE TO THE INABILITY TO STOP IN TIME DUE TO THE POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE 1993 GMC SUBURBAN BRAKING SYSTEM. BRAKES ARE A VERY BIG PROBLEM ON THIS TRUCK

NHTSA ID
10057086
Incident
Feb 14, 2001
Mileage
70,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 24, 2003

PRESSURE MUST BE APPLIED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO OPERATE. THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10040491
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 13, 2003

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKE ON THE FRONT LEFT CORNER. SEAT NOW ROCKS BACK 8-10 INCHES. UPON INVESTIGATION, CAUSE WAS DUE TO VERY THIN MATERIAL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10038821
Incident
Jun 11, 2001
Visibility
Filed Aug 25, 2003

WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10034466
Visibility
Filed Jun 26, 2003

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT COMING ON WHEN TURNED ON. RECALL WAS FOR LATER YEAR MODELS, BUT THIS YEAR MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT WHEN SOMEONE WHO BOUGHT THEIR VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS LATER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM DOES NOT? *AK

NHTSA ID
10023850
Incident
Jun 16, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

020730024A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT

3005

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

93-00 FULL SIZE UTILITIES (GMT 400 OLD STYLE ONLY) AC BLOWS WARM AND THE HIGH SIDE PRESSURE IS TOO HIGH. *MJ

990730016A

POWER TRAIN

DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT, SLIP, BUSY/CYCLING TCC OR NOISY COOLING FAN. *TT

01125

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SPECIAL POLICY BULLETIN REGARDING PRODUCT ENHANCEMENT BRAKE SYSTEM SUBJECTIVE FEEL / POOR BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. *TT

01005

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VACUUM POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND EBC4 ABS BRAKE MODULES MAY COMMENT THAT THEIR VEHICLES EXHIBIT POOR BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, THIS MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO BRAKE PEDAL FEEL. *SLC

01005

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THIS SPECIAL POLICY PRODUCT ENHANCEMENT COVERS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VACUUM POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND EBC4 ABS BRAKE MODULES EXHIBITNG POOR BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE / BRAKE SYSTEM SUBJECTIVE FEEL. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Suburban by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004100—
2003512—
2002711—
2001522—
2000152148.1
19992852051.8
19981003052.7
19972003559.9
19961724560.6
19952277763.8
19944116368.1
1993Viewing2122365.5
1992804270.3
1991302459.6
1990222462.6
1989172464.5
1988825—
1987803—
1986402—
1985301—
1984501—
1983200—
1982010—
1981010—
1974100—
1966010—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.