1994 Chevrolet Suburban: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 872 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (63% of complaints); the 1992 and 1993 and 1995 and 1996 model years look more trouble-free.
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 872 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with two Lionhart Tires, Tire Line: LHS, Tire Size: 305/30/ZR26, DOT Number: TB2ACY50. The contact stated that he had installed two Lionhart tires on the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was a secondary vehicle that was not driven often. The contact stated that he observed a bulge on the tire, and the tire sidewall was separating from the tread next to the bulge. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 4,500 on a new installed engine. The tire failure mileage was 2,000.”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2023
“The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph and applying the brake pedal to stop the pedal suddenly extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified. The failure mileage was 274,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2021
“Vehicle was parked with the ignition off. After approximately 10 minutes, a fire started in the area of the battery preceded by thick white smoke. The fire spread to the plastic wheelwell guard and right front tire about two minutes after the smoke was noticed. The front of the vehicle, dashboard, windshield, and front floor pan area was destroyed by fire. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“The seat belts will not retract when you lean forward and the wipers will work sometimes but most of the time they will not turn on. This reduces visibility while raining and if it results in a crash the seat belts may not work properly to protect the passengers. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2013
“Cracks have developed around the inner and outer tread of all four tires after 14001 miles of wear on the yokohama tires gelolander 11/t-s. The cracks radiate around the circumference of the tire. Tread separation on all four tires. Size p245/75r-16 109s dot fb8y. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 chevrolet suburban 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-35 mph, the brakes were abruptly applied but the vehicle did not respond. As a result, the contact crashed into a preceding vehicle. There were no injuries. The police were not contacted. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 170,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 chevrolet suburban. While parked, the contact noticed that the windshield wipers would not activate. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 03v159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Sep 2010
“1994 chevrolet suburban, right rear tire blew out damaging the heater lines and right rear quarter panel. *bf ohio traffic crash report # 10-0678-91. *jb updated 04/14/10 *bf”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 chevy suburban 1500. The driver side seat belt is failing to retract. The dealers technician stated that the seat retractor was failing and unable to be repaired since the manufacturer no longer made the part. The dealer recommended that the contact use the junk yard to obtain the part. The manufacturer stated that since the part is no longer available that she would have to obtain the part on her own. The failure mileage was 174,000 and the current mileage was 175,255. Updated 01/14/09. *lj updated 01/21/09”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2008
“Driving the 70 mph speed limit on an interstate highway the passenger side rear tire suddenly went flat. The road was smooth, flat and clear of debris. Chunks of rubber flew in the air behind me hitting unfortunate motor cycles traveling behind me. I was able pull over from the passing lane to the shoulder. The outer side wall was completely gone with the tread and inner side wall in tact. I put my spare on and continued my trip. These tires were purchased 18 mos ago. I will not put my trust in cooper tires again. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 150 of these complaints and injuries in 55 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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).
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1992-1994 CHEVROLET AND GMC SUBURBANS EQUIPPED WITH VACUUM POWER-BRAKE ASSIST AND EBC4 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) MODULES. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT POOR BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BRAKE PEDAL PAD. IN ADDITION, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE-BOOSTER OUTPUT ROD AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS, CREW CABS, UTILITY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POLARITY OF THE WIRING FOR THE ZERO ADJUST BRAKE SWITCH REVERSED FROM WHAT WAS SPECIFIED ON THE SWITCH DRAWING. WITH THE REVERSED POLARITY, THE CONTACTS IN THE BRAKE SWITCH CAN WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. THE BRAKE SWITCH WILL PERFORM NORMALLY UNTIL THE BRAKE SWITCH CONTACTS WEAR OUT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH AND REVERSE THE WIRING.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, VANS AND MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONICALLY FUEL INJECTED 6.5L DIESEL ENGINE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION PART 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL IMPROVE THE OVERALL DRIVEABILITY OF THESE VEHICLES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SOME RECENTLY DEVELOPED ENHANCEMENTS WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE OVERALL DRIVEABILITY OF THESE VEHICLES.
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.
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.
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 1994 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
NHTSA has 872 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Chevrolet Suburban. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (63% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Chevrolet Suburban problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 124,125 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Chevrolet Suburban have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. 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.