1996 Chevrolet Suburban: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 370 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (31% 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 370 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Discovered while replacing the rear axle assembly, the u bolts that connect the rear axle housing to the leaf springs had almost rusted thru. This problem is not easily recognizable as the configuration of lower plate that the u bolts go thru conceals the rusted portions of the u bolt. Also, the configuration of the above-mentioned plate captures road salt, corroding the u bolts. If these bolts failed, the rear axle would dislodge from the vehicle with disastrous results.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that while reversing from a driveway, the fuel pump over heated, melted, and destroyed the connectors. The vehicle was repaired by the contact and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet suburban. The contact was driving 55 mph when the transmission failed. The contact stated that the transmission would slip intermittently prior to the failure. The dealer advised that the transmission had failed and would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 179,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2010
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“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet suburban 2500 with bf goodrich tires, all terrain tako, size lp245/75r/16e. While driving 70 mph the vehicle began to shake. He pulled over and inspected the tires. The front passenger side tire had a bulge. He changed the tire with his spare and purchased a new tire. Two other tires also failed and one blew out and the other had a bulge. Two days ago his spare tire blew out inside the vehicle. He stated that when the tire blew it damaged the lining of the roof, molding,seat belt holder and the tire cover. No one was in the vehicle at the time. The failure mileage was 132,000 and the current mileage 136,490. Updated 12/22/10 *bf updated 12/3/10*jb”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph while towing a trailer, the trailer brakes malfunctioned causing the wheels to lock and blowing the trailer front passenger side tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the steering column harness was underside causing one of the wires to burn out. As a result, the wiring had to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 250,000. Updated 08/11/2014*lj”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2009
“The windshield wipers and fluid work intermittently when on. Called chevy and was told no recalls on my vehicle. It has been a while since this has started. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet suburban. While driving 20 mph and attempting to stop the vehicle, the contact crashed into another vehicle. Both vehicles were damaged, but there were no injuries. A police report was filed. The mechanic stated that the ABS sensors were corroded and advised the contact to disable the ABS. There were no warning lights present. The contact does not plan to have the vehicle repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000 and current mileage was 191,700. Updated 4/2/08 *cn the consumer stated can provide a list of with other consumers with similar defects. Updated 04/02/08 *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2006
“From: david b parker comments: in a crash on 5/27/06 where another driver pulled out in front of me and I hit him at approximately 45 mph or slightly below the driver's side airbag in my 1996 chevy. Suburban 1500 lt. If this is a known problem, please add this to your database; if not you may want to investigate other such models. I do have photos of the aftermath of the crash but was not able to attach them here. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2006
“Consumer 1996 suburban conventional cab fuel injection pump failed at 12,000 - 22,000 miles. Vehicle engine also revved by applying brake pedal. *ts *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · May 2006
“Fuel system malfunction. Fuel pump fuse blown. Removed fuel pump/sending unit assembly, found wiring burnt/charred inside fuel tank. Replaced entire sending unit. 30k miles later, same malfunction. Wiring burnt at the fuel pump connector. *nm”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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).
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.
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.
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."
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.
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 1996 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
NHTSA has 370 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Suburban problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 115,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban have open recalls?
4 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.