MYRModel Year Report

1989 GMC Suburban

○ Not enough data
1989 GMC Suburban
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:49:55.016Z

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
17

Too few to rank

Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 4 complaints 1986 1987: 8 complaints 1988: 8 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1989 17 1990: 22 complaints 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 80 complaints 1992 1993: 213 complaints 1994: 419 complaints 1995: 227 complaints 1995 1996: 172 complaints 1997: 200 complaints 1998: 100 complaints 1998 1999: 285 complaints 2000: 15 complaints 2001: 5 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2003: 5 complaints 2004: 1 complaint 2004
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1986: 4 complaints 1987: 8 complaints 1987 1988: 8 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1989 17 1990: 22 complaints 1991: 31 complaints 1991 1992: 80 complaints 1993: 213 complaints 1993 1994: 419 complaints 1995: 227 complaints 1995 1996: 172 complaints 1997: 200 complaints 1997 1998: 100 complaints 1999: 285 complaints 1999 2000: 15 complaints 2001: 5 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2003: 5 complaints 2003 2004: 1 complaint
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1986: 4 complaints 1986 1987: 8 complaints 1987 1988: 8 complaints 1988 1989: 17 complaints 1989 17 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 31 complaints 1991 1992: 80 complaints 1992 1993: 213 complaints 1993 1994: 419 complaints 1994 1995: 227 complaints 1995 1996: 172 complaints 1996 1997: 200 complaints 1997 1998: 100 complaints 1998 1999: 285 complaints 1999 2000: 15 complaints 2000 2001: 5 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2002 2003: 5 complaints 2003 2004: 1 complaint 2004

1989: 17 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19810
19820
19832
19845
19853
19864
19878
19888
198917
199022
199131
199280
1993213
1994419
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.

Seat belts

5 of 17 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing rear/other and retractor.

Show complaint excerpts

We purchased a 1989 GMC Suburban in February 2003. At that time the person we had purchased the vehicle from told us there was a possibility the paint had been recalled, but he had never checked into it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-22

Seats

4 of 17 total reports mention: seats, most commonly citing recliner.

CRASHINJURY
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-06-02

Drivers chair slipped back while driving, causing loss of control/accident/injury prior to recall.(93V187000)

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-01-25

Tires

2 of 17 total reports mention: tires.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2003-05-30

Steering

2 of 17 total reports mention: steering, most commonly citing pump and steering wheel/handle bar.

Service brakes

2 of 17 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1989-10-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-02-02 Trailer hitch seperation
  2. I
    1992-03-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-06-24 Seat back failures
  3. I
    1992-06-24Engineering analysisClosed 1993-11-19 Seat back bolt breakage
  4. R
    1993-03-13Power train93V016000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1994-01-20Seats93V187000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1994-07-29Engineering analysisClosed 1996-07-31 Engine compartment fires

Buy-smart checklist

1989 GMC Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Seats: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 93V016000 · Power train
  • Recall 93V187000 · Seats
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

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 seat belts, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 GMC Suburban have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.