MYRModel Year Report

1996 GMC Suburban

● Typical for this model
1996 GMC Suburban
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:49:32.760Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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
172
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

44% 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 1992 1993: 213 complaints 1994: 419 complaints 1995: 227 complaints 1996: 172 complaints 1996 172 1997: 200 complaints 1998: 100 complaints 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 1993 1994: 419 complaints 1995: 227 complaints 1996: 172 complaints 1996 172 1997: 200 complaints 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 1995: 227 complaints 1995 1996: 172 complaints 1996 172 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

1996: 172 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

44% · 75 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Visibility

15% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

Electrical system

12% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and alternator/generator/regulator.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While the vehicle was parked and the igniton was off the switch on the drivers door for the side view mirrors suddenly ignited . The keys were not in the car and in fact the car had not been in use for over five hours.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-30

Tires

10% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving about 72 MPH on the highway and without warning right rear tire tread separated from tire, causing a collision firestone, steel tex at, LT245/75R16.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-02

Power train

8% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASH

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1995-09-20Engineering analysisClosed 2001-09-20 Poor brake performance
  2. R
    1996-04-11Vehicle speed control96V057000 These vehicles were assembled with the throttle cable contacting the dash mat which could bind the throttle. This does not meet with the maximum return times required by federal motor vehicle safety…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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. I
    1999-12-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-05-02 Battery leaks acid
  5. I
    2000-01-31Defect petitionOpen OEM hitch receiver platform cracking
  6. I
    2000-04-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-09-26 Headlight
  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 →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 GMC Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 75 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V057000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 98V150001 · Visibility
  • Recall 03V159000 · Visibility
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 GMC Suburban reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 GMC Suburban is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC Suburban?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Suburban have?
4 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.