MYRModel Year Report

1988 GMC Suburban

○ Not enough data
1988 GMC Suburban
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:26:51.957Z

Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

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.

Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Suburban Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1981: 0 complaints 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 4 complaints 1987: 8 complaints 1987 1988: 8 complaints 1988 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 30 complaints 1992: 80 complaints 1993: 212 complaints 1993 1994: 411 complaints 1995: 227 complaints 1996: 172 complaints 1996 1997: 200 complaints 1998: 100 complaints 1999: 285 complaints 1999 2000: 15 complaints 2001: 5 complaints 2002: 7 complaints 2002 2003: 5 complaints 2004: 1 complaints 2004
1988: 8 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19810
19820
19832
19845
19853
19864
19878
19888
198917
199022
199130
199280
1993212
1994411
1995227
1996172
1997200
1998100
1999285
200015
20015
20027
20035
20041

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 8 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

TIRES

1 of 8 total reports mentions: tires.

Show complaint excerpts

I JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN JUNE AND DIDN'T REALIZE THAT IT HAD TWO ATX TIRES ON IT UNTIL ONE WENT FLAT AND I WENT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE TIRE DEALER SAID THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED AND THE TIRE WAS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021211

SUSPENSION

1 of 8 total reports mentions: suspension.

Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN GETTING GM TO REIMBURSE HER FOR THE DEFECTIVE PARTS INSTALLED IN HER 1988 SUBURBAN.*MR WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATED SEVERELY. *NM

NHTSA ODI report, 20050728

STRUCTURE

1 of 8 total reports mentions: structure.

DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

DURING COLLISION CONSUMERS WERE EJECTED FROM VEHICLE. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMERS)

NHTSA ODI report, 19981020

SEATS

1 of 8 total reports mentions: seats.

Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER'S SEAT BACK ANCHOR BOLT SHEARED OFF PRIOR TO RECALL (93V-187), CAUSING SEAT TO FALL BACKWARDS. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 480470). *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19950511

SEAT BELTS

1 of 8 total reports mentions: seat belts.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19890306 — PE (closed 19890605)

CRUISE CONTROL

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

I 19891212 — PE (closed 19900409)

IMPROPER SPEED CONTROL

I 19900824 — DP (closed 19901221)

INADEQUATE EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD

I 19920306 — PE (closed 19920624)

SEAT BACK FAILURES

I 19920624 — EA (closed 19931119)

SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 GMC Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 89V010000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 93V016000 (power train) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1991 ▲ 1992 ▲ 1998

WORST YEARS

■ 1994 ◆ 1999 ● 1995

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 GMC Suburban reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 GMC Suburban?

The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 GMC Suburban have?

2 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.