1989 GMC Suburban
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › GMC › Suburban › 1989
These records cover every 1989 GMC Suburban. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1989 GMC Suburban. Newest first.
The recliner mechanism and the seat frame may have foam and/or vinyl between them, creating a "soft" joint. This "soft" joint results in lower than specified bolt torque which leads to joint looseness, causing bolt fatigue and eventual bolt failure.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If bolt failure occurs to the driver's seat, it wouldallow the seat back to suddenly recline, and could result in loss of vehiclecontrol and a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the foam and/or vinyl from between the recliner mechanism and the seat frame "soft" joint and replace the recliner bolts.
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.
Owner complaints
17 complaints2 involved a crash1 involved a fire5 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
While at a stop vehicle jerked forward intermittently. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Ak
- Seat belts · Unknown or other
We purchased a 1989 GMC suburban in february 2003. At that time the person we had purchased the vehicle from told us there was a possibility the paint had been recalled, but he had never checked into it. upon us taking delivery I began to search on the web and came upon your information and took…
We purchased a 1989 GMC suburban in february 2003. At that time the person we had purchased the vehicle from told us there was a possibility the paint had been recalled, but he had never checked into it. upon us taking delivery I began to search on the web and came upon your information and took the advice of contacting our local service manager at our chevy dealership. they told me it was too old and the recall had expired. today 6-31-03 I called the gm service center and was given a service # of 1-1-146-15140, and told to call a different # given the year of the vehicle. I then called with this reference# and was told because of the year and mileage they would not look at the paint, and there were "NO open paint claims recorded" I asked what this meant and the woman said there were no recalls open on this year for paint. I did not argue with her, as I had already told her I had looked up this recall on the web. The two side seatbelts in the middle row of seats. Don't workvery well, they get stuck half way out a lot.
- Tires
The right rear tire blew out. steeltex radial LT tires. *Ak the tire pressure had run low, but never more than 2 psi high. (never any impact) the blowout happened on a smooth road at a low speed. there were never any repairs done to the tires. the blowout had a "t" shaped 4-5" edge of tread…
The right rear tire blew out. steeltex radial LT tires. *Ak the tire pressure had run low, but never more than 2 psi high. (never any impact) the blowout happened on a smooth road at a low speed. there were never any repairs done to the tires. the blowout had a "t" shaped 4-5" edge of tread, with a leg of "t" that extended from the tread near the bead. firestone considered this impact damage and would not replace. *scc *jb
- Tires
The tire blew up, causing the vehicle to turn immediately to the left. this caused a wreck and physical damage to the driver.*ak (tiresize: lt26575r16)
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While traveling noticed smoke comig from the engine. Consumer pulled over. Looked under hood, and discovered that engine was on fire. Please provide further information. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brake system IS not adequate for size of vehicle.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
Exhaust mainfold to cylinder head bolts have broken due to heat stress exhaust leakage IS apparent.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Brakes have failed on three separate occasions. Dealer replaced master cylinder. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Passenger seat back collapsed due to failure of bolt breakage, caused injury.
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
As a result of recliner bucket seat recall, the passenger's side mounting bolt broke and the entire back of seat released, injuring consumer's wife. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmisssion overheated, causing fire.
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump · Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump
Power steering pump bracket cracked, causing loss of power steering at 55 mph and serpentine belt to come off and destroy air conditioner compressor.
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
The steering wheel bolts come looe and cause the steering wheel to have too much play and causes the driver to lose control from time to time. *ak
- Seats
The dealership said they would order the part and when the vehicle was brought to the dealership there was no part. Please describe. tt
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Drivers chair slipped back while driving, causing loss of control/accident/injury prior to recall.(93v187000) *dsh
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly · Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Seatbelt retractor on back seat failed, replaced twice and the buckle locks up. tt
- Seat belts › Front · Seat belts › Rear/other
The driver and the rear driver side seat lap belt broke . tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Engine compartment fires
An alleged malfunction in the atlernator resulting in engine compartmet fires.
- Seat back bolt breakage
There is no summary currently available
- Seat back failures
There is no summary currently available
- Trailer hitch seperation
There is no summary currently available
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 GMC Suburban model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.