MYRModel Year Report

1988 Chevrolet Suburban

▲ Better than typical
1988 Chevrolet Suburban
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:46:31.822Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
30
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Tires

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 30 complaints 1988 30 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 431 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 142 complaints 2017 2018: 84 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 202 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 129 complaints 2023 2024: 45 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 30 complaints 1988 30 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1996 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2002 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2008 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2014 2015: 431 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 142 complaints 2017 2018: 84 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2020 2021: 202 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 129 complaints 2023 2024: 45 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1988: 30 complaints 1988 30 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1991 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1995 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1997 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2001 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2003 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2007 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2009 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2013 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 431 complaints 2015 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 142 complaints 2017 2018: 84 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2019 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 202 complaints 2021 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 129 complaints 2023 2024: 45 complaints

1988: 30 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19833
19846
19859
19867
198718
198830
198962
199054
199152
1992189
1993500
1994876
1995457
1996360
1997414
1998201
1999634
2000282
2001440
2002286
2003301
2004204
2005129
200623
2007292
2008213
2009106
2010117
2011148
2012101
2013118
201459
2015431
2016219
2017142
201884
201977
202044
2021202
2022121
2023129
202445

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Tires

30% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving approximately 55MPH, heard a thump, thump noise & then vehicle gave a jerk. Stopped vehicle & checked tires. Noticed left rear tire had blown & tread had separated from tire. They were bridgestone dueler at 31X10.50R15.

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-08-02

Bridgestone tire rupture: ply separation, on freeway, no warning, at 35000 miles with lots of treadlife remaining. I can provide photos of damaged tire on request. All plies of tire completely separated, they were never bonded together properly.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-05-06

Dt contact states he purchased a set of general tires, one of the tires developed a huge flat spot after 7,000 miles of driving. The manufacturer stated the flat spot was not covered in the warranty.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-05-12

Seats

13% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing recliner.

Show complaint excerpts

Dt*: the contact stated while sitting in the vehicle the driver's seat bolt fractured causing the seat to fall backward. An independent repair shop replaced the bolt.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-02-13

Single bolt that attaches seat back to seat base failed, causing seat back to fall back leaving me looking at the ceiling. I was stopped when this happened.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-12

Power train

10% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

Fuel system, gasoline

10% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly.

Service brakes

10% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1989-03-08Seat belts89V010000 Drivers seat and/or shoulder belt locking mechanism may not operate.

    Remedy: Install a new drivers seat belt assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1993-03-13Power train93V016000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1993-11-08Service brakes, hydraulic93V119000 Severe corrosion due to road salt at the joint of the stamped steel center section and the cast outer section can cause the sections to separate.

    Remedy: Replace the front brake rotors with new rotors with a corrosion protection coating. However, if replacement of brake linings are necessary, it will be done at owner's expense since brake linings are…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Tires: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Seats: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 3 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 89V010000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 93V016000 · Power train
  • Recall 93V119000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban?
The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.