1993 GMC 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 1993 GMC 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
- Brakes16270.7%
- Visibility198.3%
- Interior & seats83.5%
- Seat belts83.5%
- Powertrain (other)62.6%
- Engine62.6%
- Transmission52.2%
- Driver assistance41.7%
- Electrical31.3%
- Other / unspecified20.9%
- Fuel system20.9%
- Tires & wheels10.4%
- Suspension10.4%
- Body & structure10.4%
- Heating & air conditioning10.4%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE AND VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP.*AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
PRESSURE MUST BE APPLIED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO OPERATE. THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. *AK
WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHILE PARKED DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE, AND CONSUMER FELL BACKWARDS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER STRAP DOES NOT TIGHTEN UP. *NM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WITH NO METHOD OF CORRECTION BY GMC. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY SUBURBAN HAS HAD 4 RADIATOR FAILURES SINCE NEW. ALL HAVE BEEN DUE TO ELECTRALISIS. GMC PAID FOR THE 1ST FAILURE (PART ONLY I PAID LABOR) EVEN THOUGH THE TRUCK WAS OVER 10000 MILES OUT OF WARENTY. THE 4 RADIATOR HAS NOW FAILED AND A 5TH IS REQUIRED. GMC IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT INSISTS THIERS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM. AS A SIDE NOTE THE HEATER CORE HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, AL GREENFIELD. *AK
CONSUMER HAS HAD RADIATOR WORK DONE ON SEVERAL TIMES SINCE 1996. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ISSUE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
EA95026, POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE; INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SLIDE. THIS CONDITION HAS LED TO TWO REAR END CRASHES. DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL RATTLED, THE DEALER FOUND THE BEZEL TO BE CRACKED AND BROKEN. CONSUMER FEELS VEHICLE GETS BAD GAS MILEAGE. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSES AND LINE SEALING WERE LEAKING. *SLC
THIS SUBURBAN HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS RUNNING FOR A WHILE THEN SIMPLY STOPING FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN RUNNING AGAIN. I AM TOLD BY GMC THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT IS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY. THE WIPER PULSE MODULE I AM TOLD IS THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT IN THESE CASES. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND OCCATIONALLY LEAVES A PUDDLE UNDER IT IF IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. THE GUAGES ARE RANDOM IN THIER READINGS FOR OIL PRESSURE, TEMP, AND AMPERES.... THE FUEL SEEMS TO BE ACCURATE. OTHER PROBLEMS ARE NOT AS OBVIOUS BUT ANNOYING NONE THE LESS
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
TROTTLE TO CRUISE CONTROL CONNECTING ROD WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE PLATE AND FELL DOWN INTO THROTTLE CABLE BRACKET. THE HOOK ON THE ROD GOT STUCK IN THE BRACKET, HOLDING THE THROTTLE OPEN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *YH
WHILE PULLING UP TO A STOP LIGHT, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, CAR SHOT INTO CRUISE CONTROL/GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAR WAS OUT CONTROL. CONSUMER HAD BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN CAR JUMPED INTO A DITCH, AND LANDED IN A GRAVELED PARKING LOT. CONSUMER HAD TO SLAM INTO PARK WHILE FEET WERE STILL ON THE BRAKES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID SYNCHRONIZER WAS BAD. CONSUMER FELT THIS COULD HAVE KILLED HIS FAMILY OR INNOCENT BYSTANDERS. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ONLY WARNING OF THIS IMPENDING FAILURE WAS THE BATTERY INDICATOR CAME ON. I PULLED OVER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN MOVED FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE ALTERNATOR FLAMED UP FOUR TIMES AND WE WERE ABLE TO EXTINQUISH WITH THE HELP OF PASSERBYS. NO OTHER WARNING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS SHOWN! I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER INFORMED ME THAT THIS FIRE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED.
WHILE DRIVING THE BOLTS ON THE DRIVER SEAT SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE SEAT TO RELEASE FROM THE UPRIGHT POSITION. ALSO THE RADIO AMPLIFIER CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
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
THREE WELDS ON THE TRAILER HITCH CRACKED WHICH COULD CAUSED IT TO DROP THE TRAILER IT WAS TOWING.TT *JB
FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER HITCH HAS I/4 INCH LONG CRACKS ON BOTH LEFT/RIGHT SIDES OF MOUTING BRACKETS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
EA95026, POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE; INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SLIDE. THIS CONDITION HAS LED TO TWO REAR END CRASHES. DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL RATTLED, THE DEALER FOUND THE BEZEL TO BE CRACKED AND BROKEN. CONSUMER FEELS VEHICLE GETS BAD GAS MILEAGE. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSES AND LINE SEALING WERE LEAKING. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 75 MPH LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT. THEN, CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. BRIDGESTONE, P-265/75R16. *AK CONSUMER STATES TIRES HAD 65 PERCENT TREAD WEAR LEFT, THEY WERE PROPERLY INFLATED TO MANUFACTURER SPEC OF 50 PSI NO EXCESSIVE EDGE WEAR DUE TO POOR ALIGNMENT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THEY WOULD PRORATE THE BLOW OUT, CONSUMER DECLINED AND REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING 40 MILES AND UP TRUCK SHAKES, WHEN OPENNING THE WINDOW IT STOPS. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *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
EA95026, POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE; INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SLIDE. THIS CONDITION HAS LED TO TWO REAR END CRASHES. DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL RATTLED, THE DEALER FOUND THE BEZEL TO BE CRACKED AND BROKEN. CONSUMER FEELS VEHICLE GETS BAD GAS MILEAGE. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSES AND LINE SEALING WERE LEAKING. *SLC
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
FAN MOTOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER, HEATER AND DEFROSTER COMES ON SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
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 .