1996 Gmc SUBURBAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
91 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
83,332 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 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 12 of 91 complaints (13.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 23.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 17.6% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 7.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 6.6% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 5.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.2% |
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 | 12 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 9 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 9 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 8 |
| Tires | 7 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 12; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 9; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 9; Tires:Tread/Belt: 8; Tires: 7; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 4
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 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 76 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 42 |
| 2001 | 17 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2000: 42; 2001: 17; 2002: 9; 2003: 7; 2004: 8; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10009595 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)
THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND AS TIME WENT ON THE HANDLE BROKE OFF. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017757 · 2003-05-07 (May 7, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD, 3 OUT OF 4 SCHWAB TIRES BLEW OUT IN THE SIDEWALL. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026369 · 2003-07-01 (July 1, 2003)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS SPEED CONTROL AS STATED IN RECALL 00 V 210 001; BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RCALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033574 · 2003-08-11 (August 11, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS. DEALER STATES FUEL INJECTOR IS CLOGGED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042232 · 2003-10-02 (October 2, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 72 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE, CAUSING A COLLISION FIRESTONE, STEEL TEX AT, LT245/75R16. DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL FOR INJURIES HE SUSTAINED FROM THE ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO FATALITIES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044176 · 2003-10-15 (October 15, 2003)
VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED.*MR THE MECHANIC REPLACED WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLY. *PH *JB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047661 · 2003-11-26 (November 26, 2003)
IT IS A WELL KNOWN FACT THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP ON THE GM 6.5L DIESEL ENGINES. I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF THESE PUMPS REPLACED BY GM AT THEIR COST. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS NOT GETTING RESOLVED. THESE VEHICLES DIE INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THEY DIE (STALL), YOU LOOSE YOUR ABILITY TO CONTROL YOUR VEHICLE WITH THE LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING (FOR THE MOST PART). THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN I HAVE ALMOST BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN THESE VEHICLES DIE BECAUSE OF…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052481 · 2004-01-06 (January 6, 2004)
SERIES OF EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE WITH GM REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT IN MY 1996 GMC SUBURBAN WHICH FAILED AFTER ONLY 75,000 MILES - 25,000 MILES BEFORE THE GM RECOMMENDED SERVICE. GM HAS CHOSEN NOT TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH GM TRANSMISSIONS. 12/31/2003 08:37 AM MICHELLE, I HAD THE LOCAL DEALER INSTALL A NEW TRANSMISSION LAST WEEK. I ASKED THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHY THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. HE NOTED THAT IT HAD OVERHEATED AND TRASH AND DEBRIS WERE FOUND IN THE FLUID. HE ALSO N…
Owner-reported narrative. 74,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052481 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V159000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V057000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1996-04-04 (April 4, 1996)
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V150001 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 1998-07-01 (July 1, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗