MYRModel Year Report

1996 Chevrolet Suburban

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1996 Chevrolet Suburban
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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
360
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

47% 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 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1996 360 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 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: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 196 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1996 360 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: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2020 2021: 196 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 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 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1989 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1991 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1996 360 1997: 414 complaints 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: 429 complaints 2015 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2019 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 196 complaints 2021 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints

1996: 360 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
2015429
2016219
2017141
201881
201977
202044
2021196
2022121
2023123
202443

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

47% · 168 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-09-20

Electrical system

17% · 60 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIREDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

1996 Chevrolet Suburban, side mirror remote control in drivers door panel caught on fire. I tore out the panel and cut the wires to remove it before the truck caught completely on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-03-20

Power train

13% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASHFIREDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicles transmission failed and the vehicle caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-04

Car was in park and engine off, child who was exiting vehicle moved the shift lever out of park, vehicle rolled, striking another vehicle broadside.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-09-16

Visibility

12% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

FIRE

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1995-09-20Engineering analysisClosed 2001-09-20 Poor brake performance
  2. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 360 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    1996-04-11Vehicle speed control96V057000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1996-12-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-04-17 Steering shaft separations
  5. I
    1997-04-17Engineering analysisClosed 1998-03-12 Steering shaft separations
  6. R
    1998-12-15Visibility98V150001 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2000-01-31Defect petitionOpen OEM hitch receiver platform cracking
  8. I
    2000-05-02Engineering analysisClosed 2002-06-28 Battery leaks acid
  9. I
    2000-09-26Engineering analysisClosed 2001-12-21 Headlight
  10. I
    2002-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 2003-07-23 Windshield wiper failure
  11. R
    2003-06-19Visibility03V159000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. 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

1996 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 168 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 60 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 45 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V057000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 98V150001 · Visibility
  • Recall 03V159000 · Visibility
  • 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 1996 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.