1990 Chevrolet Suburban: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 54 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seats (28% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Consumer took vehicle in to have tires balanced due to vibration and was advised tires were separating, consumer was informed that these tires were not part of any recall, so consumer purchased four new tires, 2 weeks later consumer reports indicated that the tires were on recall, so consumer filled out a form and sent it in, however has heard no response, firestone wilderness at, p235/75r15, dot w2hl1py407. *slc”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2001
“Consumer stated vehicle was vibrating, vehicle was taken into shop and consumer was informed that tires were separating, which were replaced at the consumer expense after being told that they were not apart of any recall, the tires that consumer purchased, however were on recall, consumer has been unable to get a repsonse from firestone. (firestone wilderness at tires p235/75r15)*yh”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2001
“Pe00 020; consumer was traveling 65mph on highway and heard a noise, tread was flapping up against inner fender well. He was able to pull over to the shoulder , and noticed that the driver's side rear tire tread separated. The tire firestone, steel tex, lt23585r16, dot vn0rtxk127. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2000
Show 7 more owner reports
“Pe 00 020/trie tread separation: while traveling at highway speed of 60 mph, right rear tire experienced a tread separation on a 1990 chevrolet suburban, aftermarket equipment; p235/75r15; dot# unavailable. Driver / two passengers involved, no injury reported. Please feel free to provide any further details. *ak firestone wilderness at p235/75/r15 *mw”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2000
“Truck accererated sounded like over 100 mph but was going slow speedcould not stopr truck turned off in street and jumped out car rear end broke and u-joint. Very dangerous. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 1999
“After braking 2 to 3 times the brakes stagger, shudder grabbing and sticking, seems like the antilock system is happening each and every time brakes are applied.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 1999
“While driving, the tread separated from six different firestone atx tires within 20,000 miles. This always occured on a highway in texas. The dates were 10/96, 10/96, 5/97, 12/98, 3/99, & 6/99.( dot number: tire size: 321150r15 )”Owner report · Tires · May 1999
“While making a sudden stop the vehicle continues to travel. Consumer depressed the brakes to the floorboard in order to stop. Please provide further information. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 1999
“The left rear firestone firehawk (235/75r15) tire sustained a tread sustained a tread separation causing the vehicle to rollover, five occupants sustained injuries (attorney for client). Nlm”Owner report · Tires · Sep 1998
“Had received recall notice over 2yrs ago (#93v187000). The recall remedy failed. The bolts on the driver's side seats failed to hold the seat.”Owner report · Seats · Aug 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.
Remedy: INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.
SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Suburban by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
NHTSA has 54 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Chevrolet Suburban. The most complained-about area is seats (28% of complaints).
Does the 1990 Chevrolet Suburban have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.