1991 Chevrolet Suburban
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 3 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 9 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1988 | 30 |
| 1989 | 62 |
| 1990 | 54 |
| 1991 | 52 |
| 1992 | 189 |
| 1993 | 500 |
| 1994 | 876 |
| 1995 | 457 |
| 1996 | 360 |
| 1997 | 414 |
| 1998 | 201 |
| 1999 | 634 |
| 2000 | 282 |
| 2001 | 440 |
| 2002 | 286 |
| 2003 | 301 |
| 2004 | 204 |
| 2005 | 129 |
| 2006 | 23 |
| 2007 | 292 |
| 2008 | 213 |
| 2009 | 106 |
| 2010 | 117 |
| 2011 | 148 |
| 2012 | 101 |
| 2013 | 118 |
| 2014 | 59 |
| 2015 | 428 |
| 2016 | 218 |
| 2017 | 141 |
| 2018 | 81 |
| 2019 | 76 |
| 2020 | 44 |
| 2021 | 192 |
| 2022 | 117 |
| 2023 | 121 |
| 2024 | 41 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
29% of complaints: service brakes — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURY25% of complaints: seats — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing recliner.
INJURY19% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RESULTED IN FIRE. *SD
NHTSA ODI report, 19960222
13% of complaints: tires — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing valve and tread/belt.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
BRIDGESTONE LT 23585R16 DOTEP9JHND205 WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS THE LEFT REAR TIRE SEPERATED AND DEFLATED, WHICH RESULTED IN A VEHICLE CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
NHTSA ODI report, 20021008
I HAVE A SET OF HANKOOK OPTIMO 727 TIRES ON MY FAMILY SUBURBAN, AND ONE OF THEM BLEW OUT SUDDENLY, AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THE TIRE THAT BLEW OUT ONLY HAD 14,596 MILES ON IT. THE SIZE IS P235-75-15.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200819
10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gas recirculation valve (egr valve) and belts and associated pulleys.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE EA94-029. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19960123
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL VETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENES
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.
Campaign 96V226000 — check if this car was fixed
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
1991 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (15 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for seats issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 93V016000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 93V119000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V226000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1991 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Chevrolet Suburban is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Chevrolet Suburban?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Chevrolet Suburban have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.