1996 GMC Suburban problems
The 1996 GMC Suburban has 220 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (35%) concerns brakes. After that come wipers, windshield & visibility (12%) and electrical system (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 220 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 35% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 13 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 20 and 4
- Typical mileage
- 88,000 miles 19 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Among the 19 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 88,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 13 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 20 injuries reported; 4 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 10 model years of the GMC Suburban with enough data (147 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Accident is in litigation; two experts have examined the tire and determined that separation caused by a manufacturing defect. Bridgestone/firestone has I.d. The tire as manufactured 7th week of 1996 in decateur factory; the is no issue of under or over inflation.
Upon appying the ABS brakes in low speeds, the brakes failed 3three times to stop the vehicle. Once resulting in a crash/injuries. Also, replaced oxygen sensor.
We have replaced our automatic transmission twice since owning our 96 GMC suburban. We have owned the truck since 1998.
Vehicle was exhibiting no problems. Upon approaching a red traffic light the brake pedal was depressed, and the pedal went to the floor, as if the ABS system was kicking in, but the vehicle did not slow down. I replaced the master cylinder and bled all brake lines, and the condition still exists. I performed diagnostics on the vehicle according to seveal service manuals and determined that the ABS modulator valve has failed in such a manner as to allow brake fluid to bleed into the ABS accumulator, without getting…