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NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban.
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash-test ratings for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban. New vehicles are often added to the NCAP rating program after initial release; check nhtsa.gov/ratings for the latest status.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
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).
Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
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.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
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
NOVEMBER 2010, I WENT TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP USING THE PARKING BRAKE, BUT WAS VERY CLOSE TO REAR-ENDING A CARLOAD OF PEOPLE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS MOUNTED AT THE FACTORY TO THE FRONT AXLE ON THIS 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK CAUSING IT TO VIBRATE AND COLLECT DEBRIS ON IT LEADING TO A PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO RUST. IN DECEMBER 2012, AGAIN WHEN I WENT TO STOP FROM ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN WENT ALMOST COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR, BUT AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE BY USING THE PARKING BRAKE AND RUNNING UP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS TIME THE REAR BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT AT THE "T - INTERSECTION" WHERE THE BRAKE LINE RUNS FROM THE FRONT MASTER CYLINDER TO THE REAR AXLE AND SPLITS INTO 2 LINES AT THE T INTERSECTION. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE TRUCKS AS IT WAS A BAD DESIGN, BECAUSE THE T LAYS IN A RECESSED HOLDER ATTACHED TO THE REAR AXLE, ALLOWING DIRT, SALT AND WETNESS TO ACCUMULATE IN THIS AREA AND CAUSE PREMATURE RUST AND FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LINES. THIRD, LAST WEEK, WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICED A RAW GAS SMELL AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. AGAIN I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AS GAS WAS POURING OUT OF THE FUEL LINE BY THE GAS FILTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL. THIS WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC'S REPAIR SHOP WHO AGAIN SHOWED ME THAT THE METAL FUEL LINE HAD RUSTED OUT DUE TO ITS BEING MOUNTED TO THE FRAME RAIL, CAUSING SALT, DIRT AND DEBRIS TO ACCUMULATE THERE ALSO. HE WARNED ME THAT THESE TRUCKS FREQUENTLY CATCH FIRE WHEN THESE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL INJECTION LINES RUST OUT. HE SAID HE HAD SEEN 5 OF THESE TRUCKS BURNED IN JUST THE LAST 2 YEARS AT HIS SMALL SHOP.PLEASE HELP. THESE TRUCKS ARE INHERENTLY DANGEROUSLY DESIGNED TO FAIL. *TR
The 1996 Chevrolet Suburban has 4 NHTSA recalls and 409 consumer complaints on file. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
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Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
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.
Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
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.
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT 35 MPH, THE POSTED SPEED, WE LOST BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKE WAS APPLIED APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP SIGN. WE WERE UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AND PASSED ALL OF THE WAY THROUGH IT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FORTUNATELY FOR ALL THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES ( OR PEDESTRIANS) IN THIS INTERSECTION AS WE WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY HIT THEM. IT APPEARS THE BRAKE LINE(S) ON THE K2500 SUBURBAN HAVE RUSTED THROUGH IN AN AREA THAT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE WHERE THEY GO THROUGH THE FRAME AND BLEW OUT AT THIS CRITICAL MOMENT. THE DEALER IS UNWILLING TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THEY DID NOT TELL US THE BRAKES COULD ONLY BE RELIED UPON FOR THE TIME THE TRUCK IS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS, POSSIBLY DEADLY OUTCOME SINCE WE TOW A TRAILER WITH THE TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS ACTUALLY A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THESE CHEVROLET AND GMC TRUCKS. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL GIVEN THE POTENTIAL DEADLY POSSIBILITIES? TOYOTA WAS IN THE NEWS ABOUT THEIR UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION ISSUE BUT WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING ABOUT THIS UNEXPECTED LOSS OF BRAKING ISSUE? WHY IS THAT? IS NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP NOT A PROBLEM FOR THE NHTSA? *TR
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.
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
1996 SUBURBAN CAUGHT ON FIRE DURING TRANSPORT DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE. *TS *NM
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
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
ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WITH NO WARNING. THIS CAN OCCUR WHILE IDLING, ACCELERATING, CRUISE SPEED, ANY TIME OF YEAR, ANY WEATHER CONDITION. SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART BY SHIFTING TO N AND RE-CYCLING IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT HAVING TO STOP OR LEAVE ROAD. SOMETIMES, AS IS THE PRESENT CASE, IT WILL NOT RESTART. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM BEGINNING AT 80,000 MI. MANUFACTURER EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 120,000 MILES, HAS CONTINUED BEYOND WARRANTY PERIOD AND IS A SOURCE OF SAFETY CONCERN. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY (HIGH SPEED INTERSECTIONS). DEALER PERFORMED NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO FIX PROBLEM, BUT THEY CONTINUED. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT. I HAVE HAD ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER PROFESSIONAL SOURCES (AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD WAS OVER AND WAS CONVINCED THAT DEALER/MFG. COULD NOT OR WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED FUEL INJECTION PUMP 2 TIMES MINIMUM, HAVE REPLACED PMD/FSD AT LEAST 5 TIMES, REPLACED AUXILIARY/LIFT PUMP TWO TIMES, HAVE DRAINED AND CLEANED FUEL TANK 2 TIMES. MOST RECENT INJECTION PUMP REPLACEMENT WAS IN AUG/SEPTEMBER 05 (7000 MILES AGO). I HAVE SPENT AT LEAST $5000 TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ENGINE STOPPED LAST MONDAY AND WILL NOT RESTART. AM SURPRISED NO COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED BEFORE NOW.*JB
THE BATTERY CABLES LEAK ACID, . WHEN THE BATTERY BECOMES CORRODED, THERE IS NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THE BATTERY CABLES ARE BAD, WHICH WE HAVE REPLACED, AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. WE HAVE HAD THE BATTERIES (REPLACED MORE THAN ONE) CHECKED, AND THEY ARE FINE. WE HAVE HAD THE POSTS REPLACED, AND THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE. THE LATEST, (IM STRANDED RIGHT NOW) SEEMS TO BE THE WORST YET. AT FIRST WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING, IT WAS A COUPLE OF MONTHS APART, NOW ITS EVERY WEEK. ALSO WHEN IT STARTED THE CABLES WHERE REALLY CORRODED BEFORE THE ENGINE QUIT. NOW THEY CAN BE WIPED OFF WITH A DRY TOWEL. ALSO, THE A/C HAS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO CRACKS IN HOSES. (FROM THE ACID) BEING AS I LIVE IN TEXAS, EVEN IF THE TRUCK IS RUNNING I CANT DRIVE IT IN THE SUMMER, EVEN IF WE FIX THE HOSES IT HAPPENS AGAIN. WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER THE LAST TIME, THEY TOLD ME THE BATTERY WAS FINE, BUT I NEEDED TO SPEND 400.00 TO HAVE THE CABLES REPLACED AGAIN. HOW IS THIS PROBLEM REALLY CORRECTED. TALKING TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD SUBURBANS I HAVE FOUND THAT A NUMBER OF THEM HAVE HAD VEHICLE FIRES DUE TO THE ACID PROBLEM!!! HAVING CHILDREN IN THE CAR, IM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY TRUCK. (WHEN IT EVEN STARTS) I CANNOT SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE AND PUT THEM IN DANGER. THE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP A 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN THE TRUCK. WELL IT IS GOING OUT AGAIN AND I KEEP IT FULL! ALSO, SOMETHING TO DO W/ THE ABS BOOSTER BEING BAD. WELL MY BRAKES ARE FAILING AGAIN. (LESS THAN A YEAR LATER) THE PADS ARE FINE. THE ACID LEAKING HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO OUR DRIVEWAYS, NOT TO MENTION THE KIDS AND ANIMALS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD GETTING INTO THE ACID ON THE GROUND. PLEASE SEND ME ANY INFO THAT MIGHT HELP ME. IM AM GOING TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND TALK TO THEM AGAIN ABOUT THE INFORMATION THE I HAVE FOUND, RE: IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS IS HAPPENING TO. *NM
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
DT: 1996 GMC SUBURBAN , WHILE PULLING OUT FROM THE POST OFFICE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN. CONSUMER PUSHED DOWN VERY HARD, DID NOT PUMP THE BRAKES. FINALLY, THE BRAKES STARTED WORKING, THE BRAKE PEDAL JERKED/ WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE STOPPED. THE BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON . HEARD A REAL STRANGE NOISE, AND BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. THIS ONLY HAPPENED THIS TIME AND HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES.
1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, INTAKE MANIFOLD, ENGINE COOLING, TRANSMISSION, TIRES, FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL CONSUMPTION AND WIPERS.*MR CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT DO ANYTHING BUT TAKE THE BATTERY CABLE OFF TO RESET THE COMPUTER AND THE BRAKES WERE NEVER LOOKED AT. *TT
1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN TRANSMISSION FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. *MR THERE WAS NO THIRD GEAR AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS REPAIRED AND 2 JOINTS WERE REPLACED IN THE FRONT SHAFT. *SC
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