MYRModel Year Report

1989 GMC Suburban

○ Not enough data
1989 GMC Suburban
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:26:25.046Z

Only 17 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 17 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, 1989 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 1989: 17 complaints 1989 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
1989: 17 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 17 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

SEATS

3 of 17 total reports mention: seats.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

AS A RESULT OF RECLINER BUCKET SEAT RECALL, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOUNTING BOLT BROKE AND THE ENTIRE BACK OF SEAT RELEASED, INJURING CONSUMER'S WIFE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970602

DRIVERS CHAIR SLIPPED BACK WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURY PRIOR TO RECALL.(93V187000) *DSH

NHTSA ODI report, 19960125

TIRES

2 of 17 total reports mention: tires.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. STEELTEX RADIAL LT TIRES. *AK THE TIRE PRESSURE HAD RUN LOW, BUT NEVER MORE THAN 2 PSI HIGH. (NEVER ANY IMPACT) THE BLOWOUT HAPPENED ON A SMOOTH ROAD AT A LOW SPEED. THERE WERE NEVER ANY REPAIRS DONE TO THE TIRES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030530

STEERING

1 of 17 total reports mentions: steering.

STEERING

1 of 17 total reports mentions: steering.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 of 17 total reports mentions: service brakes, hydraulic.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19891010 — PE (closed 19900202)

TRAILER HITCH SEPERATION

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

R 19940120 — seats

THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS

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 93V187000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940729 — EA (closed 19960731)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1989 GMC Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seats issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 93V016000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 93V187000 (seats) 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 1989 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 1989 GMC Suburban?

The most-reported component is seats:front assembly:recliner, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1989 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.