1994 GMC Suburban: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 411 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (64% 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 411 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tire wobble/ no separation yet can feel it pulling / did wait for this one to bubble up and separate wasn't going to wait another 3 weeks for an accident possibly fatal to happen had this last remaining one removed from my vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2008
“Tread / tire separation big bubble in tire severe shaking / severe pulling thought my truck needed an alignment very very very bad. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2008
“The windshield wipers worked after being manually "helped" since the time of purchase, but no longer. When I contacted gmc, they told me the current recall did not apply to my vehicle. I have purchased the circuit board myself and will now need to have someone install it. Recall needs to include additional VIN #'s. I was told by the gmc toll free number that it was not a "safety" issue, sorry. *nm”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“With the cruise control on I encountered sudden unintended acceleration on two occasions once while the unit was activated and once while it was not. *nm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2005
“Windshield wiper failure. Gm refused to repair under recall campaign 98v150001 stating recall voided after 70,000 miles. I guess the bard turns "good" after reaching the mileage? *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2005
“Dt : windshield wipers work intermittently or they don't work at all previous recalls in 1998 and 2003 had the same problem. Gmc hotline said they called the dealership, and the dealership refused to do the recall. *ak *sb *nm”Owner report · Visibility · May 2005
“Right lower ball joint failed causing front wheel to collapse car was in parking lot and moving slowly ball joints replaced by garage. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2005
“Had failure of both rear brake lines and fuel delivery lines/sending unit due to heavily rusted/ruptured metal lines. Fortunately, the failures were observed in my driveway, leaking brake fluid and gasoline. The vehicle required towing to the local mechanics garage.total cost of repair (all rusted lines and fuel sending unit) at local garage was $875.00.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Air · Oct 2003
“Consumer noticed windshield wipers would stop working intermittently. *ak consumer was returning home when it began to rain. He turned on the wipers but nothing happened. He tried a second time but to no avail. Consumer lost vision of the road and had to pull over. *ph”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2003
“Windshield wipers come on and off intermittently while traveling in inclement weather. Cause of failure is undetermined at this time.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 65 of these complaints and injuries in 20 - 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 GMC Suburban reliable?
NHTSA has 411 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 GMC Suburban. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (64% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 GMC Suburban problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 113,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 GMC 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.