Complaints
24
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
5
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 GMC Suburban Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#13 complaints
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Crash-related:1
#22 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
#32 complaints
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 GMC Suburban.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 1 | — | — | — |
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brake Master Cylinder
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 GMC Suburban. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Suburban Years
1989 GMC Suburban — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 GMC Suburban reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1989 GMC Suburban has 24 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner with 3 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 GMC Suburban?
Top reported problems: Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner (3 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control (2 complaints); Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1989 GMC Suburban?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 GMC Suburban include 2 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 GMC Suburban have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 GMC Suburban as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 GMC Suburban?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Suburban reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 GMC Suburban
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