CHEVROLET SUBURBAN · model year

1992 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

226 NHTSA complaints, 45 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992CHEVROLETSUBURBAN carries 226 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 45 crashes, 7 fires, 18 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1992 SUBURBAN is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 124 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer (8) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1992 SUBURBAN, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

226
Complaints
45
Crashes
7
Fires
18
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

226 filings

Crashes Reported

45 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP124
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS7
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR4
TIRES:TREAD/BELT4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
TRAILER HITCHES2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2

Recent Complaints

20050217VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

20030428UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1992 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. *AK *PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**765494

20030312CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES.*JB

Mileage: 30,000

20030109SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON WET SURFACE THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM

20020812TIRES:TREAD/BELT

2 TIRE FAILURES OF TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: INCIDENT DATES 6/15/02 AND 8/10/02. *AK

20020215ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

20010906FireEQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CLIMATE CONTROL WIRE BEHIND GLOVE BOX CAUGHT FIRE ALSO CC MODULE OVERHEATS/SHORTS W/O TRIPPING CIRCUIT FUSE. *AK

20010802CrashSTEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT

WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED (85000 MLS)IT HAD A BAD FRONT END IDLER LINK AND A BAD A/C CLUTCH BEARING. NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE LIKE THEY SHOULD AND I WAS SCARED TO LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE SPONGY BRAKES. I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL TIMES TO DIFFERENT SHOPS AND ALSO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE BRAKES AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES ON THIS MODEL WERE JUST THAT WAY. I PUT NEW ROTORS AND PADS ON THE FRONT AND NEW REAR DRUMS AND SHOES AND REPEATEDLY BLED THE SYSTEM WITH SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. IT ACTS AS THOUGH THERE IS A RESTRICTION IN THE BRAKE LINE TO BOTH FRONT AND REAR. IT ACTS AS THOUGH THEY DESIGNED THE THING NOT TO STOP QUICKLY. I UNPLUGGED THE MOTOR TO THE ABS SO THAT AT LEAST IT WOULD SQUEAL A TIRE. THE LACK OF SURE LOW SPEED STOPS HAS CAUSED 2 NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS AND 1 T BONE WHICH HAS RAISED OUR INSURANCE RATES. I HAVE LEARNED TO DRIVE THE THING ANTICIPATING STOPS AND PREBRAK

20010802CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED (85000 MLS)IT HAD A BAD FRONT END IDLER LINK AND A BAD A/C CLUTCH BEARING. NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE LIKE THEY SHOULD AND I WAS SCARED TO LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE SPONGY BRAKES. I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL TIMES TO DIFFERENT SHOPS AND ALSO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE BRAKES AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES ON THIS MODEL WERE JUST THAT WAY. I PUT NEW ROTORS AND PADS ON THE FRONT AND NEW REAR DRUMS AND SHOES AND REPEATEDLY BLED THE SYSTEM WITH SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. IT ACTS AS THOUGH THERE IS A RESTRICTION IN THE BRAKE LINE TO BOTH FRONT AND REAR. IT ACTS AS THOUGH THEY DESIGNED THE THING NOT TO STOP QUICKLY. I UNPLUGGED THE MOTOR TO THE ABS SO THAT AT LEAST IT WOULD SQUEAL A TIRE. THE LACK OF SURE LOW SPEED STOPS HAS CAUSED 2 NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS AND 1 T BONE WHICH HAS RAISED OUR INSURANCE RATES. I HAVE LEARNED TO DRIVE THE THING ANTICIPATING STOPS AND PREBRAK

20010802CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED (85000 MLS)IT HAD A BAD FRONT END IDLER LINK AND A BAD A/C CLUTCH BEARING. NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE LIKE THEY SHOULD AND I WAS SCARED TO LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE SPONGY BRAKES. I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL TIMES TO DIFFERENT SHOPS AND ALSO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE BRAKES AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES ON THIS MODEL WERE JUST THAT WAY. I PUT NEW ROTORS AND PADS ON THE FRONT AND NEW REAR DRUMS AND SHOES AND REPEATEDLY BLED THE SYSTEM WITH SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. IT ACTS AS THOUGH THERE IS A RESTRICTION IN THE BRAKE LINE TO BOTH FRONT AND REAR. IT ACTS AS THOUGH THEY DESIGNED THE THING NOT TO STOP QUICKLY. I UNPLUGGED THE MOTOR TO THE ABS SO THAT AT LEAST IT WOULD SQUEAL A TIRE. THE LACK OF SURE LOW SPEED STOPS HAS CAUSED 2 NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS AND 1 T BONE WHICH HAS RAISED OUR INSURANCE RATES. I HAVE LEARNED TO DRIVE THE THING ANTICIPATING STOPS AND PREBRAK

20010802CrashPOWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED (85000 MLS)IT HAD A BAD FRONT END IDLER LINK AND A BAD A/C CLUTCH BEARING. NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE LIKE THEY SHOULD AND I WAS SCARED TO LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE SPONGY BRAKES. I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL TIMES TO DIFFERENT SHOPS AND ALSO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE BRAKES AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES ON THIS MODEL WERE JUST THAT WAY. I PUT NEW ROTORS AND PADS ON THE FRONT AND NEW REAR DRUMS AND SHOES AND REPEATEDLY BLED THE SYSTEM WITH SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. IT ACTS AS THOUGH THERE IS A RESTRICTION IN THE BRAKE LINE TO BOTH FRONT AND REAR. IT ACTS AS THOUGH THEY DESIGNED THE THING NOT TO STOP QUICKLY. I UNPLUGGED THE MOTOR TO THE ABS SO THAT AT LEAST IT WOULD SQUEAL A TIRE. THE LACK OF SURE LOW SPEED STOPS HAS CAUSED 2 NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS AND 1 T BONE WHICH HAS RAISED OUR INSURANCE RATES. I HAVE LEARNED TO DRIVE THE THING ANTICIPATING STOPS AND PREBRAK

20010802CrashVISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED (85000 MLS)IT HAD A BAD FRONT END IDLER LINK AND A BAD A/C CLUTCH BEARING. NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE LIKE THEY SHOULD AND I WAS SCARED TO LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE SPONGY BRAKES. I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL TIMES TO DIFFERENT SHOPS AND ALSO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE BRAKES AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES ON THIS MODEL WERE JUST THAT WAY. I PUT NEW ROTORS AND PADS ON THE FRONT AND NEW REAR DRUMS AND SHOES AND REPEATEDLY BLED THE SYSTEM WITH SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. IT ACTS AS THOUGH THERE IS A RESTRICTION IN THE BRAKE LINE TO BOTH FRONT AND REAR. IT ACTS AS THOUGH THEY DESIGNED THE THING NOT TO STOP QUICKLY. I UNPLUGGED THE MOTOR TO THE ABS SO THAT AT LEAST IT WOULD SQUEAL A TIRE. THE LACK OF SURE LOW SPEED STOPS HAS CAUSED 2 NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS AND 1 T BONE WHICH HAS RAISED OUR INSURANCE RATES. I HAVE LEARNED TO DRIVE THE THING ANTICIPATING STOPS AND PREBRAK

20010802VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK OR STOP WORKING IN RAIN. *AK

20010508VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHEN TURNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS OFF BLADES WILL NOT GO BACK TO A RESTING POSITION. IF TURNED BACK ON THEY WILL CONTINUE TO GO BACK AND FORTH ABOUT 15 TIMES INSTEAD OF ONCE BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER DIDN'T PULL UP A RECALL, AND WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER IT.*AK

20010131TIRES:TREAD/BELT

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDERS, NOTICED TREAD SEPARATION AND WIRES HANGING OUT FROM TIRES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. COOPER TIRES. *AK

20001018TIRES:TREAD/BELT

ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2000 AT ABOUT 9:00 P.M. I WAS ON I-10 WESTBOUND ABOUT 15 MILES EAST OF SAN ANTONIO CITY LIMITS. MY DRIVER REAR SIDE FIREHAWK BLEW-OUT AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 M/P/H. MY TRUCK SWIRVED SLIGHTLY BUT I MANAGED TO PULL IT ON THE SHOULDER. I CAME OUT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE'S WHOLE TREAD HAD COMPLETELY CAME OFF, THIS BLOW-OUT ALSO MANAGED TO BREAK MY DRIVER'S SIDE RUNNING BOARD. I CHANGED TIRES AND PROCEEDED TO LAREDO, TX, MY DESTINATION. WHEN HOME, I CONTACTED FIRESTONE AND THEY ASKED FOR ME TO SEND THEM THE DAMAGED TIRE, RECIEPTS OF ANY CHARGED INCURRED DUE TO THE BLOW-OUT, TWO ESTIMATES TO REPAIR MY TRUCK, AND THE RECIEPT OF THE SHIPPING FEE. I HAVE TRIED TO GET MY REMAINDING FOUR TIRES EXCHANGED AT A FIRESTONE TIRE LOCATION BUT DUE TO THEM NOT BEING THE ON RECALL, THEY CAN DO NOTHING FOR ME. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY AND ALL INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE PROBLEMS OF THE FIREHAWK SS10 TYPE OF TIRES.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VDR7JBAO98 TIRESIZE: P275/60R15)

20000926TIRES

TWO OF THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P255/70R16 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WENT FLAT, WHEN TIRES WERE BROKEN DOWN TO PATCH, THE TIRES WERE SEPARATED ON THE INSIDE. *MJS

20000914SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. HOWEVER, BRAKING SYSTEM WORKS. SO WHEN TRAVELING IN SNOW OR ICE AND MAKING A SUDDEN STOP ABS SYTEM TAKES LONGER. *AK

20000908SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ON TWO OCCASIONS THE CONSUMER HAS SLAMMED ON BRAKES ABRUPTLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED, DEALER CHECKED BUT SAID THEY LOOKED FINE. NLM

20000823VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

DESIGN OF HVAC AND SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO HOLD A BUTTON AND WATCH A POINTER ON A DISPLAY TO ADJUST HVAC AND SOUND SYSTEM TO DESIRED SETTINGS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS AN UNSAFE DESIGN FEATURE!

Compare 1992CHEVROLETSUBURBAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN have?
The 1992 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 226 NHTSA complaints, 45 crashes, 7 fires, 18 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?
The most-complained component for the 1992 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 124 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS.
Is the 1992 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.