1991 GMC Suburban
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › GMC › Suburban › 1991
These records cover every 1991 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 1991 GMC Suburban. Newest first.
The recliner mechanism and the seat frame may have foam and/or vinyl vetween 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 would allow the seat back to suddenly recline, and could result in loss of vehicle control 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
30 complaints2 involved a crash3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Consumer's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle that was traveling at 30 mph. passenger's side seat belt came unbolted from the floorboard. As a result, passenger sustained a back injury. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
(La superior court,case no.pc018776) a police officer became a paraplegic after the goodyear wrangler ht (lt235/85r16) experienced tread separation while driving at a high speed, resulting in vehicle rollover accident in which the officer was ejected from the vehicle. Attorney IS writing in with…
(La superior court,case no.pc018776) a police officer became a paraplegic after the goodyear wrangler ht (lt235/85r16) experienced tread separation while driving at a high speed, resulting in vehicle rollover accident in which the officer was ejected from the vehicle. Attorney IS writing in with several other incidents of tread separations and injuries, police reports are provided with detailed information. This particular incident (brian mathews) was represented in court by the law firm (greene,broillet,taylor, wheeler & panish llp). attorney IS writing in with several other incidents of tread separations and injuries, police reports are provided with detailed information.
- Seats
Recall for collapse of driver seat,recall done, seat collapsed after recall repair???*ak
- Tires
I was driving on the 405 in los angeles at 65 mph last thursday night at 10 pm. my left rear tire suddenly began to come apart as if the skin was coming off of it. I did not crash but was able to pull over safely onto an exit. the tire appears to be shredding like the ones I have seen on…
I was driving on the 405 in los angeles at 65 mph last thursday night at 10 pm. my left rear tire suddenly began to come apart as if the skin was coming off of it. I did not crash but was able to pull over safely onto an exit. the tire appears to be shredding like the ones I have seen on television and in the newspaper, event though it IS a different firestone tire. I kept the tire and called firestone, and they said to bring it in. I drive 2 hours a day to work and I can't necessarily afford to replace all four, which I need to now do. I am also very angry because I am so careful to keep my car in working order on the los angeles freeway, which you absolutely can not pull over on safely, and it was a dangerous situation for alot of people when it happened. and I had to change my tire after a 13 hour workday. could you please let me know if I have any recourse in this situation. (Tiresize: l23585r16)( dot number: tire size: l23585r16 )
- Tires
I was driving on the 405 in los angeles at 65 mph last thursday night at 10 pm. my left rear tire suddenly began to come apart as if the skin was coming off of it. I did not crash but was able to pull over safely onto an exit. the tire appears to be shredding like the ones I have seen on…
I was driving on the 405 in los angeles at 65 mph last thursday night at 10 pm. my left rear tire suddenly began to come apart as if the skin was coming off of it. I did not crash but was able to pull over safely onto an exit. the tire appears to be shredding like the ones I have seen on television and in the newspaper, event though it IS a different firestone tire. I kept the tire and called firestone, and they said to bring it in. I drive 2 hours a day to work and I can't necessarily afford to replace all four, which I need to now do. I am also very angry because I am so careful to keep my car in working order on the los angeles freeway, which you absolutely can not pull over on safely, and it was a dangerous situation for alot of people when it happened. and I had to change my tire after a 13 hour workday. could you please let me know if I have any recourse in this situation. (Tiresize: l23585r16)( dot number: tire size: l23585r16 )
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Unknown or other
The problem: the speedometer works intermittently, the brake light would come on, and the brakes would lose power. I took it to the dealer to get fixed. the brake light doesn't come on anymore. the dealer has changed all the components on the front and rear brakes. now the brakes are really…
The problem: the speedometer works intermittently, the brake light would come on, and the brakes would lose power. I took it to the dealer to get fixed. the brake light doesn't come on anymore. the dealer has changed all the components on the front and rear brakes. now the brakes are really mushy and the truck pulls to the right. the dealer changed the speed sensor, but the speedometer doesn't work. my truck has been at the dealer for more than 2 weeks.
- Seats
Had received recall notice 96v226000. Contacted dealer. Took vehicle on date given. Picked vehicle up. Recall work not done. Vehicle in same location. Bolts were never replaced. Original bolts still on seat & still rusty. seatback had broke. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Rear passengers restraints do not retract or pull out. dealer has been notified. *ak
- Seats
Front seat bolts failed.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine failed.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When traveling on wet or dry pavement, upon making a gradual stop the rear brakes lock up, vehicle jumps forward. ABS light IS illuminated on the dash. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced parts. *ak
- Seats
The bolt holding seat recliner broke prior to/after service recall. *ak *slc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When braking at high speeds the brakes fade, causing extended stopping distance. the dealer has not been notified. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Anti-lock brakes failed with pedal going to the floor. *ak consumer states when brake pedal was pushed, nothing would happen and then all of a sudden the brakes would kick in, dealer has turned rotors twice, replaced rotors once, replaced ABS brake module, and replaced ABS pump valve. *slc
- Power train › Axle assembly
The surfac ehardening technique utilized during the manufacturing of the ring gears bearings and associated components were not adequate enough. During 1991 there was a significant impact on the availability of the axle components due to labor negotiations which were held, and there were a significanr number of potentially defective parts placed into service. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The ABS rear brakes did not perform from time of purchase. When you apply the brakes only the front brakes worked. Consumer states that the rear brake never worked.
- Seats
The driver's side seat failed , causing loss of control.
- Structure › Frame and members
When driving vehicle at various speeds, would hear noises; then lost steering control due to frame attached to gear box was cracked. took to dealer & refused to repair cracks; said it shouldn't be driven because it would come loose & someone could be injured. *ak
- Seats
Recall #96v226000, made an appointment to have vehicle repaired. Drove 30 miles to dealer, waited I hour and dealer came out and said he didi not have the parts. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
The driver's side seatback bolt broke which caused the seat to recline backwards, received recall# 96v226000. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS brake failure, resulting in extended stopping distance while driving. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The lap and shoulder belts on the driver's and passenger's side and middle seats get stuck in the retractor and will not release properly unless the door IS opened. problem still exists. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
The trucks front brakes do not operate, they wear out quickly and cause greater stopping distnace.*ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Driver's seatback recliner bolt sheared off, causing seat to fall backwards into the rear. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
Accelerator stuck while traveling on highway. 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
- Brake line abrasion
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.
- 634999Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks.
- 39304Cold engine knock.
- 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.