1996 GMC Suburban: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 172 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (33% 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 172 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Traveling up from va, the right rear firestone tire which is a lt245/75r16 mounted on a 1996 2500 suburban load range e tire rated at max 80 psi, was inflated to 65 psi. I felt a bobbling then the tread came off the casing, damaging the side of my suburban, ripping off the mud flap and damage the paint as it flopped around and just ripped itself off. Fortunately the tire did not go flat but lost the entire tread portion. This set of four was purchase and was exact replacement from oem tire when new. There is about 80% tread on tires. Firestone is telling me to run 45 psi in the front end 80 psi in the rear. I don't believe this is accurate. *nm”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds on the highway, the engine stalled without warning. After stalling, the vehicle was not easily restarted. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the fuel injector pump needed to be replaced. After the initial replacement, the problem persisted. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the fuel pump needed to be replaced again. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 12/18/2006 - the injector pump which was replaced under recall failed again. *nm the consumer also wanted to recall fixed, however the dealer refused to honor the recall. Recall numbers 96v057000 and 03v159000. Updated 03/21/07. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2006
“I had a firestone tire on the front passenger side of my suburban. I was on the freeway when without warning the tire separated from the steel belt and caused major damage to my suburban. My suburban is currently being repaired by my insurance company but the rental coverage has already been exceeded. I am legally disabled and I cannot afford to pay for the additional rental cost. *nm”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2005
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“While driving at 70 mph, the rear driver's side tire tread separated and blew up. As result, it damaged the vehicle. Firestone, model steeltex.*ak *jb”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2004
“When driving vehicle accelerated on its own. It did the same thing when the vehicle was in park. When touching the gas pedal light it accelerated.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2004
“I have two gmc vehicles with the same engine, a gas 5.7l v8, that required intake manifold gasket replacement within one month of each other. The first vehicle is a 1996 1500 suburban with 90,000 miles. The other is a 1998 k1500 pickup with 80,000 miles. Both leaks occurred at the rear of the bottom intake manifold. The mechanic performing the repair states this is a very common problem with his shop performing approximately 5-6 a month in a town of only 30,000. The dealer denies any generic problem. Inspection of the gasket implies a temperature related problem of the gasket body that undermines the seal ridge. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2004
“While driving about 72 mph on the highway and without warning right rear tire tread separated from tire, causing a collision firestone, steel tex at, lt245/75r16. Driver was transported by ambulance to the hospital for injuries he sustained from the accident. However, there were no fatalities. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2003
“Vehicle shuts off while driveing gm knows of problem and has replaced injection pump and pump mounted driver 3 times so far gm special policy c00064 for 11yrs or 120000 miles. The same problems still exsist I have a 9 passenger in order to take my kids and friends to sporting events on one such occastion. The truck shut off without warning a tractor trailer was behind us thank god he was paying attention and no one was hurt. This is a serious safety problem that is nation wide for 6.5 turbo diesel owner. Dt”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2002
“While the vehicle was parked and the igniton was off the switch on the drivers door for the side view mirrors suddenly ignited . The keys were not in the car and in fact the car had not been in use for over five hours. Luckily our son went out into the garage and reported back that the car was full of smoke. When I went out the flames were already coming up through the melted holes in the door trim panel.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2002
“Vehicle was put into neutral from park without vehicle running and without brakes pushed on causing vehicle to roll backwards with drivers side door open into a pole causing door to be damaged. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - 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 GMC Suburban reliable?
NHTSA has 172 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 GMC Suburban. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 GMC Suburban problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 83,332 miles or less.
Does the 1996 GMC 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.