1991 GMC Suburban: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seats (37% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 1996
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The problem: the speedometer works intermittently, the brake light would come on, and the brakes would lose power. I took it to the dealer to get fixed. The brake light doesn't come on anymore. The dealer has changed all the components on the front and rear brakes. Now the brakes are really mushy and the truck pulls to the right. The dealer changed the speed sensor, but the speedometer doesn't work. My truck has been at the dealer for more than 2 weeks.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2000
“When driving vehicle at various speeds, would hear noises; then lost steering control due to frame attached to gear box was cracked. Took to dealer & refused to repair cracks; said it shouldn't be driven because it would come loose & someone could be injured. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Jul 1997
“Recall #96v226000, made an appointment to have vehicle repaired. Drove 30 miles to dealer, waited I hour and dealer came out and said he didi not have the parts. *ak”Owner report · Seats · Mar 1997
Show 7 more owner reports
“The ABS rear brakes did not perform from time of purchase. When you apply the brakes only the front brakes worked. Consumer states that the rear brake never worked.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 1997
“The lap and shoulder belts on the driver's and passenger's side and middle seats get stuck in the retractor and will not release properly unless the door is opened. Problem still exists. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 1996
“(la superior court,case no.pc018776) a police officer became a paraplegic after the goodyear wrangler ht (lt235/85r16) experienced tread separation while driving at a high speed, resulting in vehicle rollover accident in which the officer was ejected from the vehicle. Attorney is writing in with several other incidents of tread separations and injuries, police reports are provided with detailed information. This particular incident (brian mathews) was represented in court by the law firm (greene,broillet,taylor, wheeler & panish llp). Attorney is writing in with several other incidents of tread separations and injuries, police reports are provided with detailed information.”Owner report · Tires · Jan 1996
“Driver's bucket seat back collapsed completely backwards, while driving; two bolts that holds seat upright sheared off. Tt”Owner report · Seats · Sep 1995
“Driver's seat back anchor bolt sheared off prior to recall (93v-187), causing seat to fall backwards. (other vehicle on 479576) *skd”Owner report · Seats · Dec 1994
“ABS brake system malfunctioned during emergency stopping, pedal faded and wqent all the way to the floor, replaced ABS brake system. Tt”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 1991
“Anti-lock brakes failed with pedal going to the floor. *ak consumer states when brake pedal was pushed, nothing would happen and then all of a sudden the brakes would kick in, dealer has turned rotors twice, replaced rotors once, replaced ABS brake module, and replaced ABS pump valve. *slc”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL VETWEEN 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.
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.
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 1991 GMC Suburban reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 GMC Suburban. The most complained-about area is seats (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 GMC Suburban problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 206,095 miles or less.
Does the 1991 GMC Suburban have open recalls?
2 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.