1994 GMC Suburban

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1994 GMC Suburban
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Suburban Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1994 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 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 30 complaints 1992: 80 complaints 1993: 212 complaints 1993 1994: 411 complaints 1994 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
1994: 411 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

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 55%

55% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 226 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ABS: WHEN BRAKING AT HARD STOP, VEHICLE KEEPS ON ROLLING; VEHICLE TOO HEAVY FOR BRAKE DESIGN. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950412

VISIBILITY 10%

10% of complaints: visibility — 41 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
VISIBILITY 6%

6% of complaints: visibility — 26 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

BRAKES FAILED 3 TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19950209

THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED ALL AROUND ON THE VEHICLE THAT IS 5 MONTHS OLD AND THERE ARE 20,OOO MILES.PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950201

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 3%

3% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

1994 — complaint volume: 411
I 19950920 — EA (closed 20010920)

POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE

R 19981215 — visibility

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 INTERMI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Campaign 98V150001 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990412 — exterior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS, CREW CABS, UTILITY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POLARITY OF THE WIRING FOR THE ZERO ADJUST BRAKE SWITCH REVERSED FROM WHA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH AND REVERSE THE WIRING.

Campaign 99V025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000131 — DP (open)

OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING

R 20010713 — service brakes, hydraulic

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1992-1994 CHEVROLET AND GMC SUBURBANS EQUIPPE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BRAKE PEDAL PAD. IN ADDITION, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE-BOOSTER OUTPUT ROD AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.

Campaign 01I006000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020531 — EA (closed 20030723)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

R 20030619 — visibility

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 D

Campaign 03V159000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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

R Date not on file — engine and engine cooling

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, VANS AND MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONICALLY FUEL INJECTED 6.5L DIESEL ENGINE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION PART 573.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SOME RECENTLY DEVELOPED ENHANCEMENTS WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE OVERALL DRIVEABILITY OF THESE VEHICLES.

Campaign 95I005000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1994 GMC Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (226 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (41 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 95I005000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V150001 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01I006000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V159000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1991 ▲ 1992 ▲ 1998

WORST YEARS

◆ 1999 ● 1995 ● 1993

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1994 GMC Suburban reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 GMC Suburban is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1994 GMC Suburban?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 55% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1994 GMC Suburban have?

6 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.