MYRModel Year Report

1988 Chevrolet Suburban

▲ Better than typical
1988 Chevrolet Suburban
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:42:08.462Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Suburban Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1988 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 499 complaints 1993 1994: 858 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: 291 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 427 complaints 2016: 216 complaints 2017: 139 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 70 complaints 2020: 40 complaints 2021: 177 complaints 2022: 104 complaints 2023: 107 complaints 2023 2024: 36 complaints 2024
1988: 30 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19833
19846
19859
19867
198718
198830
198962
199054
199152
1992189
1993499
1994858
1995457
1996360
1997414
1998201
1999634
2000282
2001440
2002286
2003301
2004204
2005129
200623
2007291
2008213
2009106
2010117
2011148
2012101
2013118
201459
2015427
2016216
2017139
201881
201970
202040
2021177
2022104
2023107
202436

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

TIRES 20%

20% of complaints: tires — 6 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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, 20170506

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 3 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 10%

10% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 3 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 7%

7% of complaints: tires — 2 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20000802

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, 20050512

SEATS 7%

7% of complaints: seats — 2 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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, 20030512

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19890308 — seat belts

DRIVERS SEAT AND/OR SHOULDER BELT LOCKING MECHANISM MAY NOT OPERATE.

Remedy: INSTALL A NEW DRIVERS SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 89V010000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19930313 — power train

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.

Campaign 93V016000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19931108 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 N

Campaign 93V119000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — 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 MANUFACTURE

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).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 89V010000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 93V016000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 93V119000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2020 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 1994 ■ 1999 ■ 1993

See all years ranked →

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 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.