MYRModel Year Report

1994 GMC Suburban

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1994 GMC 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
419
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1994

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

72% of complaints

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 1990: 22 complaints 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 80 complaints 1993: 213 complaints 1994: 419 complaints 1994 419 1995: 227 complaints 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 1990: 22 complaints 1991: 31 complaints 1991 1992: 80 complaints 1993: 213 complaints 1994: 419 complaints 1994 419 1995: 227 complaints 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 1990: 22 complaints 1990 1991: 31 complaints 1991 1992: 80 complaints 1992 1993: 213 complaints 1993 1994: 419 complaints 1994 419 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

1994: 419 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

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

Service brakes

72% · 300 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Visibility

18% · 74 reports

Most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

CRASHFIRE

Tires

4% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tire separation causing bubble in tire /causing shaking / pulling severely to right side.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-05-02

Seats

3% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing power adjust.

Power train

3% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Dt a recall was issued on automatic transmission cooling unit and lines, but this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN although it had the same failure as mentioned in the recall.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-07-28

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1994Complaint volume 419 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1995-09-20Engineering analysisClosed 2001-09-20 Poor brake performance
  3. 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 →

  4. R
    1999-04-12Exterior lighting99V025000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake switch and reverse the wiring.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2000-01-31Defect petitionOpen OEM hitch receiver platform cracking
  6. R
    2001-07-13Service brakes, hydraulic01I006000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new brake pedal pad. In addition, dealers will inspect the brake-booster output rod and replace it if necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2002-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 2003-07-23 Windshield wiper failure
  8. 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 →

  9. 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 →

  10. R
    Date not on fileEngine and engine cooling95I005000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1994 GMC Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 300 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 74 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 17 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 95I005000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 98V150001 · Visibility
  • Recall 99V025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 01I006000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 03V159000 · Visibility
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years1 year

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, accounting for 72% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 GMC Suburban have?
6 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.