1994 Chevrolet SUBURBAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
414 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
122,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 32 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 205 of 414 complaints (49.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 249 | 60.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 2.2% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 1.7% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 1.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 0.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 0.7% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 205 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 48 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 34 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 33 |
| Tires | 10 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 9 |
| Trailer Hitches | 7 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 205; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 48; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 34; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 33; Tires: 10; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 9; Trailer Hitches: 7; Tires:Tread/Belt: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 17 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 17; 150,000 and above: 8
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 382 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 163 |
| 1996 | 49 |
| 2000 | 83 |
| 2001 | 48 |
| 2002 | 16 |
| 2003 | 25 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
1995: 163; 1996: 49; 2000: 83; 2001: 48; 2002: 16; 2003: 25; 2004: 10; 2005: 9; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 249 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 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 10005643 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
ABS FAILURE, WET WEATHER, TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN, TRAFFIC FLOW BEGAN THEN STOPPED FOR AMBULANCE ON CROSS STREET, BRAKES LOCKED, MY VEH. SLID FORWARD, CUT WHEELS AND RELEASED BRAKES TO MOVE INTO TURN ONLY LANE, CLIPPED CORNER BUMPER OF VEHICLE AHEAD, I AND MY TWO CHILDREN (5 & 8 YRS) IN BACK SEAT WEARING SEATBELTS, FORTUNATELY NO ONE INJURED, BRAKE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, THIS WAS THE FIRST COLLISION, MFR. DEFECT, DEALER SHOULD REPAIR.
Owner-reported narrative. 180,140 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018450 · 2003-05-09 (May 9, 2003)
MY 1994 SUBURBAN WAS SERVICED AT R & S CHEVROLET, JOPLIN MO UNDER G M CAMPAIGN # 99V025 FOR DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH---THE SWITCH WAS WORKING PERFECTLY AT THE TIME OF SERVICE BUT IS NOW DISFUNCTIONAL AS DESCRIBED IN THE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018450 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001875 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)
NHTSA#8990-98-V-15-001:WINSHIELD WIPER WIRING. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH. CONSUMER STATES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10142213 · 2005-11-08 (November 8, 2005)
DT: CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY THE NEIGHBOR'S DOGS WERE BARKING, SHE LOOKED OUT , AND THERE WERE SPARKS COMING OUT OF VEHICLE. SHE WOKE UP HER HUSBAND. HEARD A LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, IT BURNED THE WHOLE MOTOR, MOST OF THE INSIDE, DASHBOARD. NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE CHIEF SAID IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 198,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10142213 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067856 · 2004-04-26 (April 26, 2004)
UNEXPLAINED AND SUDDEN STALLING AT HIGHWAY SPEED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 183,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067856 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722706 · 2000-05-15 (May 15, 2000)
PREVIOUS RECALL FOR DEISEL STALLING, HAS HAD 4 INJECTION PUMPS AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ENGINE STALLS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS. CHEVROLET HAS REPLACED PUMP 3 TIMES SINCE INTIAL RECALL, AND STILL THEY DON'T WORK AND VEHICLE STILL STALLS WITHOUT WARNING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722706 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718319 · 2000-02-04 (February 4, 2000)
THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING QUITS/DIES/SHUTS OFF THEREBY CAUSING THE LOSE OF STEERING AND BRAKING. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF AUTHORIZED CHEVY DEALR JIM STUTZMAN CHEVROLET IN WINCHESTER VIRGINIA SINCE OCTOBER OF 1999. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE HAD THEIR MECHANIC TEST DRIVE IT AND HE HAS EXPERIANCED THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY HOOK IT UP TO THE COMPUTER "IT" SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THEM THAT I NEVER SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A CHEVY DIESEL AND "WHAT DO I WANT TO DO HOW MUCH MONEY DO I WANT TO SPEND AND THEY WILL JUST START CHANGE OUT PART…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 728573 · 2000-08-21 (August 21, 2000)
BAD STEERING WOBBLE; DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING CONTROL. BELT SEPARATED ON ALL 4 TIRES. FIRESTONE REPLACED WITH WILDERNESS HT TIRES AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.( DOT NUMBER: UNAVAILABL TIRE SIZE: 23575R15XL )
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 728573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 737706 · 2000-12-12 (December 12, 2000)
THESE 3 CASES OF AN ABS FAILURE OCCURRED ON DAMP ROADS. TWO CASES INVOLVED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRES BEING OVER LEAVES ON THE ROAD WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ALL THE CASES INVOLVED TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN. NORMAL PRESSURE(NOT A PANIC STOP) WAS APPLIED TOBRAKES, AND ALL 3 CASES WERE AT A SPEED OF 5MPH OR LESS. WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM KICKED IN, THE CAR BASICALLY WOULD NOT STOP WITHIN ANY REASONABLE DISTANCE. WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS ABS SYSTEM(KELSEY-HAYES) EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 1994. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT WO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 737706 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 865587 · 2000-07-18 (July 18, 2000)
CONSUMER WAS ON THE HIGHWAY SLOWING DOWN TO BRAKE FOR TRAFFIC & PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. ABS LIGHT OR NO OTHER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER SEEMED TO REPAIR VEHICLE, BUT IT HASNT BEEN DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED TO EXPERIENCE IT AGAIN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE STRAINING WHEN STARTING TO TAKE OFF. DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE OUT, BUT FOUND EVERYTHING TO BE OKAY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 865587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856463 · 2000-02-08 (February 8, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. NO WARNINGS, IT JUST QUITS. DEALER PUT ON A NEW FUEL PUMP, CONSUMER THINKS ITS THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL PUMP, AND FEELS IT IS UNSAFE FOR VEHICLE TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY FREEWAY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966617 · 1995-06-12 (June 12, 1995)
FUEL PUMP FAILURE, CAUSING STALLING PROBLEM, PE94-091 ACTIVE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966617 at NHTSA ↗