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U.S. public vehicle records

1988 Chevrolet SUBURBAN problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

21 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

112,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 21 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting29.5%
Braking behavior29.5%
Fuel system concerns29.5%
Engine operation14.8%
Steering behavior14.8%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Tires
6
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
1
Seats
1
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Tires6
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly2
Tires:Tread/Belt2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline1
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner1
Power Train:Automatic Transmission1
Seats1
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner1

Tires: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seats: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
5
1996
2
2000
3
2001
3
2002
1
2003
1
2005
1
2006
1
2007
1
2008
1
2014
1
2017
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19955
19962
20003
20013
20021
20031
20051
20061
20071
20081
20141
20171

1995: 5; 1996: 2; 2000: 3; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2014: 1; 2017: 1

Pattern summary

Tires leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10576312 · 2014-04-01 (April 1, 2014)

IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE P/S GEARBOX WAS SEPARATING FROM ITS MOUNT ON THE VEHICLE FRAME AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVED. THE STEERING BECAME LOOSER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE U-CHANNEL FRAME WAS CRACKED OUT IN THE AREAS OF 3 OF THE 4 POWER STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTS. THESE CRACKS HAD TO BE WELDED. A YEAR AN A HALF LATER A CHECK OF THE WELDS WAS MADE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND A NEW CRACK WAS FOUND. THERE WAS NO COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE DOUBLER/STIFFENER REPAIR PLATE AVAILABLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. THE FRAME SHOULD NOT CRACK UNDER NORMAL US…

Owner-reported narrative. 223,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576312 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 969053 · 1995-07-19 (July 19, 1995)

THE FUEL TANK LEAK , THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION PURCHASE TRUCK USED. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969053 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 894836 · 2001-08-21 (August 21, 2001)

WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL A HISSING NOISE IS HEARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 894836 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 961419 · 1995-03-07 (March 7, 1995)

WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED, CRUISE CONTROL ALSO ACTIVATED AT 65 MPH, CAUSING ENGINE TO GO INTO HARD ACCCELERATION UNTIL DEACTIVATED BY BRAKE PEDAL. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961419 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 968409 · 1995-07-07 (July 7, 1995)

FUEL TANK, BETWEEN THE SKID PLATE AND FORM, ABSORB WATER AND ROT OUT FUEL THE FUEL TANK. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968409 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 8009687 · 2002-05-13 (May 13, 2002)

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLS OUT, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, AND HAD ENGINE REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS WATER IN AIR THE FLITER HOUSING AND VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND DIED, ALSO NOTICES A RATTLING COMING FROM RIGHT HAND SIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE WIH USED ENGINE. *TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8009687 at NHTSA ↗