1988 Chevrolet Suburban
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Suburban › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Chevrolet Suburban. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban. Newest first.
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 manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
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).
Severe corrosion due to road salt at the joint of the stamped steel center section and the cast outer section can cause the sections to separate.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Separation of the rotor sections can cause loss ofbraking ability in the affected wheel. This could result in increased stoppingdistance and/or loss of vehicle control and an accident.
Remedy
Replace the front brake rotors with new rotors with a corrosion protection coating. However, if replacement of brake linings are necessary, it will be done at owner's expense since brake linings are normal maintenance items.
Unanticipated heat in the transmission can force the transmission fluid out of the vent tube.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The vented transmission fluid can catch fire if exposedto a source of ignition.
Remedy
Install a longer transmission vent hose routed to the left side of the engine compartment of the vehicle.
Drivers seat and/or shoulder belt locking mechanism may not operate.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In a crash, affected belts would not lock, therebyincreasing the possibility of injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy
Install a new drivers seat belt assembly.
Owner complaints
30 complaints2 involved a crash4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires
Bridgestone tire rupture: ply separation, on freeway, no warning, at 35000 miles with lots of treadlife remaining. I can provide photos of damaged tire on request. all plies of tire completely separated, they were never bonded together properly. tire IS bridgestone M773 swp II, size 235-85-16.
- Steering
It was noticed that the p/s gearbox was separating from its mount on the vehicle frame as the steering wheel was moved. The steering became looser. It was discovered that the u-channel frame was cracked out in the areas of 3 of the 4 power steering gearbox mounts. These cracks had to be welded. A…
It was noticed that the p/s gearbox was separating from its mount on the vehicle frame as the steering wheel was moved. The steering became looser. It was discovered that the u-channel frame was cracked out in the areas of 3 of the 4 power steering gearbox mounts. These cracks had to be welded. A year an a half later a check of the welds was made from underneath the vehicle and a new crack was found. There was no commercially available doubler/stiffener repair plate available for this particular model. The frame should not crack under normal use. *tr
- Tires
I purchased four premium bridgestone tires ($168 each). Two of these have now failed prematurely due to catastrophic tread separation. The first was at 29,000 miles, the second at 32,000 miles. Both still had plenty of tread depth remaining. I believe that my safety IS at risk with the two…
I purchased four premium bridgestone tires ($168 each). Two of these have now failed prematurely due to catastrophic tread separation. The first was at 29,000 miles, the second at 32,000 miles. Both still had plenty of tread depth remaining. I believe that my safety IS at risk with the two remaining tires. These tires were never driven off-road, and were well cared for prior to sudden failure. the tire model was bridgestone r273swp. *tr
- Tires
Purchased four bridgestone R273 swp premium tires in 2001 ($168 each) from bridgestone dealer. Vehicle IS 1988 chevrolet suburban, used for on-road use only. Vehicle IS garaged daily, only driven ~5000 miles per year. Tire size IS 235-85r16e. Total mileage on tires IS 29,000 miles. Estimated…
Purchased four bridgestone R273 swp premium tires in 2001 ($168 each) from bridgestone dealer. Vehicle IS 1988 chevrolet suburban, used for on-road use only. Vehicle IS garaged daily, only driven ~5000 miles per year. Tire size IS 235-85r16e. Total mileage on tires IS 29,000 miles. Estimated remaining tread life 50% (9/32"). Left rear tire suddenly had tread separation while driving on freeway. Tire did not lose air, but tread separated from casing and steel belts were visible for approx 6-8" in area of separation. There was no puncture or any other visible evidence for cause of failure. Dealer replaced tire for free, only charging for balance/etc. However, I'm concerned about the other three tires. Has there been any history of failures/recalls on this tire? Should I insist that bridgestone replace the remaining three tires for free? *tr
- Seats
Dt*: the contact stated while sitting in the vehicle the driver's seat bolt fractured causing the seat to fall backward. an independent repair shop replaced the bolt.
- Tires › Tread/belt
Dt contact states he purchased a set of general tires, one of the tires developed a huge flat spot after 7,000 miles of driving. the manufacturer stated the flat spot was not covered in the warranty. the contact states every time the wheel IS turned there IS vibration. the tires are regularly maintained. contact feels that there IS a defect in construction of the tires. *nm
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Single bolt that attaches seat back to seat base failed, causing seat back to fall back leaving me looking at the ceiling. I was stopped when this happened. Had I been driving their would certainly been a loss of control and serious injury or deaths could have resulted. The design of this seat IS…
Single bolt that attaches seat back to seat base failed, causing seat back to fall back leaving me looking at the ceiling. I was stopped when this happened. Had I been driving their would certainly been a loss of control and serious injury or deaths could have resulted. The design of this seat IS awful. On the adjustment side there are two bolts attaching the seat back to the seat bottom. If either bolt fails the seat back collapses without warning. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving, vehicle stalls out, took vehicle to dealership 4 times, and had engine replaced. However, problem still occurring. *Ak consumer stated there was water in air the fliter housing and vehicle overheated and died, also notices a rattling coming from right hand side of vehicle when engine IS running. dealer replaced engine wih used engine. *tt
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist
When depressing brake pedal a hissing noise IS heard and the brake pedal travels to floorboard, causing extended stopping distance. service technician stated brake booster needed to be replaced. Please provide further information. *Ak
- Tires › Sidewall
Firestone, fr480, p235/75r15 dot vnh, replacement tires with 20000 miles on a 1988, chevrolet, suburban. While driving 30-35 mph right rear tire developed a split near tread line of tire. On july 3 2001 while driving 30-35 mph , right front tire developed a split near tread of tire. No accident.*ak *slc
- Tires
While driving, front driver firestone wilderness at tire blewout the sidewall, tire split from bead to tread, dot 8xhl1py179. *slc
- Tires
Left rear tire blew out while driving (firestone firehawk rmt lt2677516). nlm
- Tires
PE00 020; was traveling about 60mph on highway and a passer by was pointing to his tire. there was a lump inside of his left rear tire. Also, was pulling a boat. tires are firestone duker p26575. there were no injuries.*ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
While driving approximately 55mph, heard a thump, thump noise & then vehicle gave a jerk. Stopped vehicle & checked tires. Noticed left rear tire had blown & tread had separated from tire. They were bridgestone dueler at 31x10.50r15. they were replacement tires, and not the original tires which…
While driving approximately 55mph, heard a thump, thump noise & then vehicle gave a jerk. Stopped vehicle & checked tires. Noticed left rear tire had blown & tread had separated from tire. They were bridgestone dueler at 31x10.50r15. they were replacement tires, and not the original tires which blew out at 6,000 miles. Changed tire & drove to tire shop. had it replaced with a different type of tire. Do not have tire. *Ak two days later right rear tire blew out and the vehicle turned over causing the trailer and the vehicle to wreck. the driver and the passengers were injured. *yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Because of broken crankshaft the vehicle needed new motor and transmission. yh
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Single bolt holding seatback upright suddenly failed,leaving driver flat on his back, looking up at the ceiling. this occurred just after I had travelled 120 miles on the interstate, at the listed speed limit of 75 mph. had the vehicle not been stopped when the bolt failed, I most likely would have lost control and crashed. *ak
- Seats
The bolts that hold the driver's bucket seat in the upright position sheared off, causing the seat to release from the upright position. please give any further details. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The transmission failed.
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Rear seat belt on both sides are hard to pull to fasten and do not "catch" when vehicle suddenly goes forward.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Trying to pass other vehicles, will not downshift, would free spin/rev motor, had transmission replaced once, dealer replaced certain parts in vehicle, but problem in transmission still exists. Have receipts. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Had to get a new gas tank because the baffle came loose in the gas tank and whenever going around a corner the car would die. please describe details. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Master cylinder failed; brake pedal has always felt soft and in cold weather, the brake pedal goes to the floor. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Seat belt ratchet jams/locks.
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Lug bolts sheared off, causing wheel to fall off/accident. (Ohio state police report) *dh
- Structure › Body › Tailgate
Consumer was in the driver side seat broke and recline backward purchase truck used . *ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10007838Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan.
- 39070New cast iron exhaust manifold and stainless steel gasket to correct engine noise condition.
Every Chevrolet Suburban model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.