Gmc Suburban Reliability
2,322 NHTSA complaints (1983–2004). Complaint rate: 10800.0 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 1992–1999 Gmc Suburban (232 crash-related complaints). The 2001–2003 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Gmc Suburban Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 745 | 19.7% |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 101 | 0.0% |
| SEATS | 77 | 2.6% |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 71 | 2.8% |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 68 | 2.9% |
| TIRES | 65 | 15.4% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 65 | 16.9% |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 59 | 8.5% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 56 | 3.6% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 46 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983GOOD | — | 2 | 0 | 1 | View 1983View→ |
| 1984GOOD | — | 5 | 2 | — | View 1984View→ |
| 1985GOOD | — | 6 | 0 | 1 | View 1985View→ |
| 1986GOOD | — | 4 | 0 | — | View 1986View→ |
| 1987GOOD | — | 8 | 1 | 2 | View 1987View→ |
| 1988GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | — | View 1988View→ |
| 1989 | — | 24 | 2 | 1 | View 1989View→ |
| 1990 | — | 28 | 3 | — | View 1990View→ |
| 1991 | — | 33 | 2 | — | View 1991View→ |
| 1992AVOID | — | 105 | 25 | 2 | View 1992View→ |
| 1993AVOID | — | 254 | 38 | 10 | View 1993View→ |
| 1994AVOID | — | 490 | 70 | 5 | View 1994View→ |
| 1995AVOID | — | 294 | 24 | 2 | View 1995View→ |
| 1996AVOID | — | 220 | 13 | 2 | View 1996View→ |
| 1997AVOID | — | 268 | 22 | 4 | View 1997View→ |
| 1998AVOID | — | 137 | 10 | 3 | View 1998View→ |
| 1999AVOID | — | 393 | 30 | 6 | View 1999View→ |
| 2000 | — | 20 | 1 | — | View 2000View→ |
| 2001GOOD | — | 5 | 1 | — | View 2001View→ |
| 2002GOOD | — | 9 | 1 | — | View 2002View→ |
| 2003GOOD | — | 8 | 1 | — | View 2003View→ |
See also: Gmc Suburbanaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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