1996 Chevrolet Suburban Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1996 Chevrolet Suburban recalls

Most common 1996 Chevrolet Suburban problems

Problem areas named in the 360 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	163
Electrical System	60
Power Train	45
Engine And Engine Cooling	44
Visibility	44
Tires	40
Fuel System, Gasoline	19
Air Bags	17
Steering	15
Suspension	10

What owners report

2014-06-27, Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, THE TRAILER BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK AND BLOWING THE TRAILER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HARNESS WAS UNDERSIDE CAUSING ONE OF THE WIRES TO BURN OUT. AS A RESULT, THE WIRING HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 250,000. UPDATED 08/11/2014*LJ

2013-09-20, Service Brakes
NOVEMBER 2010, I WENT TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP USING THE PARKING BRAKE, BUT WAS VERY CLOSE TO REAR-ENDING A CARLOAD OF PEOPLE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS MOUNTED AT THE FACTORY TO THE FRONT AXLE ON THIS 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK CAUSING IT TO VIBRATE AND COLLECT DEBRIS ON IT LEADING TO A PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO RUST. IN DECEMBER 2012, AGAIN WHEN I WENT TO STOP FROM ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN WENT ALMOST COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR, BUT AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE BY USING THE PARKING BRAKE AND RUNNING UP ON THE SHOULDER OF

2013-09-03, Fuel/Propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE FUEL PUMP OVER HEATED, MELTED, AND DESTROYED THE CONNECTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

2011-09-11, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT 35 MPH, THE POSTED SPEED, WE LOST BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKE WAS APPLIED APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP SIGN. WE WERE UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AND PASSED ALL OF THE WAY THROUGH IT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FORTUNATELY FOR ALL THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES ( OR PEDESTRIANS) IN THIS INTERSECTION AS WE WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY HIT THEM. IT APPEARS THE BRAKE LINE(S) ON THE K2500 SUBURBAN HAVE RUSTED THROUGH IN AN AREA THAT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE WHERE THEY GO THROUGH THE FRAME AND BLEW OUT AT THIS CRITICAL MOMENT. THE DEALER IS UNWILLING TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILIT

2010-08-25, Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

1996 Chevrolet Suburban questions

Does the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban: Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer; Vehicle Speed Control. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban?

Based on 360 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Service Brakes, Hydraulic (163), Electrical System (60), Power Train (45).

How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Chevrolet Suburban has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.