CHEVROLET SUBURBAN · model year

1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

1038 NHTSA complaints, 158 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1994CHEVROLETSUBURBAN carries 1038 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 158 crashes, 12 fires, 56 injuries, and 3 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 1994 SUBURBAN is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 506 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (91) and visibility:windshield wiper/washer (70). 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 1994 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.

1038
Complaints
158
Crashes
12
Fires
56
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

1038 filings

Crashes Reported

158 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 SLIP506
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR91
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER70
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS51
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE12
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR11
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK11
TIRES10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS10
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC9
SEATS9

Recent Complaints

20230426TIRES

The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with two Lionhart Tires, Tire Line: LHS, Tire Size: 305/30/ZR26, DOT Number: TB2ACY50. The contact stated that he had installed two Lionhart tires on the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was a secondary vehicle that was not driven often. The contact stated that he observed a bulge on the tire, and the tire sidewall was separating from the tread next to the bulge. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 4,500 on a new installed engine. The tire failure mileage was 2,000.

Mileage: 4,500

20211116CrashSERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph and applying the brake pedal to stop the pedal suddenly extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified. The failure mileage was 274,000.

Mileage: 274,000

20130825FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, A FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA OF THE BATTERY PRECEDED BY THICK WHITE SMOKE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC WHEELWELL GUARD AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE ABOUT TWO MINUTES AFTER THE SMOKE WAS NOTICED. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, DASHBOARD, WINDSHIELD, AND FRONT FLOOR PAN AREA WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 243,640

20130825FireENGINE

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, A FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA OF THE BATTERY PRECEDED BY THICK WHITE SMOKE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC WHEELWELL GUARD AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE ABOUT TWO MINUTES AFTER THE SMOKE WAS NOTICED. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, DASHBOARD, WINDSHIELD, AND FRONT FLOOR PAN AREA WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 243,640

20120913VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Mileage: 108,000

20100324TIRES

1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT DAMAGING THE HEATER LINES AND RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. *BF OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0678-91. *JB UPDATED 04/14/10 *BF

20081215VISIBILITY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V150001 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

Mileage: 112,000

20080826VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO USE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEY WILL WORK VERY INCONSISTENTLY. ALSO, IF HE MANUALLY MOVES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEY WILL BEGIN TO FUNCTION FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 09/29/08*LJ UPDATED 09/29/08 *JB

Mileage: 50,000

20070507VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. RECALL # 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) IS FOR THE SAME FAILURE, HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

20070425VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL # 03V159000 CONCERNING VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY OR FAILED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OCCASIONALLY HAS TO BANG ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO GET THE WIPERS TO OPERATE PROPERLY. ALSO ATTACHED A STICK AND TAPED IT TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 242,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.*AK

Mileage: 165,000

20060921VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #98V150001, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 95,000

20060117FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF GASOLINE LEAKAGE OTHER THAN THE ODOR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY VARIOUS REPAIR SHOPS AND DEALERS, BUT NO SOURCE OF LEAKAGE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED. *JB

Mileage: 109,000

20051109VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

CONSUMER1994 SUBURBAN WINDSHEILD WIPERS STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHEILD OR AT TIMES WILL NOT WORK AT ALL. *TS THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER PULSE CONTROL MODULE. *NM

Mileage: 141,114

20051108FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY THE NEIGHBOR'S DOGS WERE BARKING, SHE LOOKED OUT , AND THERE WERE SPARKS COMING OUT OF VEHICLE. SHE WOKE UP HER HUSBAND. HEARD A LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, IT BURNED THE WHOLE MOTOR, MOST OF THE INSIDE, DASHBOARD. NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE CHIEF SAID IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK

Mileage: 198,000

20051012VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS AFTER EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TS THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONSUMER DECIDED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIR MADE ALTHOUGH THE DEALER WOULDN'T REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE HIM ALTHOUGH THE PART NUMBER WAS IDENTICAL. *NM

Mileage: 141,114

20051007VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DT: CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A RECALL # 03V159000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER FAILURE, AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS LISTED ON THE RECALL. CONSUMER NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2002, WHEN IT WAS RAINING CONSUMER HAD TO GET OUT, LIFT THE HOOD, AND BANG ON THE MOTOR OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO WORK, AND IT WILL ONLY WORK FOR A MINUTE. *AK

20050801VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

I OWN A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE WIPERS STARTED OUT SHUTTING OFF IN THE WRONG POSITION OR NOT SHUTTING OFF AT ALL. THE WIPERS DON'T WORK AT ALL NOW. I HEARD ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I WENT TO YOUR WEBSITE AND SEEN THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM FOR THE 94 SUBURBANS.(NHTSA ID NUMBERS 03V159000 AND 98V150001). I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY VIN IS [XXX]. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF MY VEHICLE WAS OVERLOOKED IN THE RECALL OR MY PROBLEM IS JUST WITH MY VEHICLE.*JB UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 140,000

20050714VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DT: CONTACT STATES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK FOR A FEW MINUTES AT A TIME OR THEY WILL NOT WORK AT ALL. ALSO, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO WORK AFTER THE SWITCH HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THERE WERE RECALLS 03V159000 AND 98V150001 FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE RECALLS, BUT THE CONTACTS SPECIFIC VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN DUE TO VIN AND THE 10 YEAR AND 70,000 MILES LIMITATION. *AK

20050615VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN WIPER MOTORS FAIL AND WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND STOP WHILE DRIVING CREATING VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. IS LISTED AS RECALL ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V15900 AND 98V150001 ON YOUR WEB SITE. WE CALLED CHEVROLET ON 800-222-1020 AND WERE TOLD THIS IS NOT A RECALL ITEM AFTER SEVEN YEARS. THE RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED UNTIL 07/01/98 AND 04/28/03 - THAT MAKES THE RECALL NOTICE PAST THE SEVEN YEAR CHEVROLET POLICY.

Mileage: 124,125

20050425VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD MOTOR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS WAS REPORTED TO URKA CHEVROLET IN LUDINGTON MI AND THEY STATED OUR 1994 SUBURBAN WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AND TOLD US TO CALL CHEVROLET. SAME STORY WITH THEM. I WAS TRAVELLING FROM FORT LEAVENWORTH, KS TO CUSTER MI DURING EASTER 2005 THE WIPERS QUIT WORKING WHILE TRAVELLING ALONG AT APPROX. 65MPH. NO ACCIDENT, BUT SCARY TO PULL OVER ON HIGHWAY AT NITE CAUSE OF LACK OF VISION. *AK

Mileage: 115,233

Compare 1994CHEVROLETSUBURBAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN have?
The 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 1038 NHTSA complaints, 158 crashes, 12 fires, 56 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?
The most-complained component for the 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 506 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR and VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER.
Is the 1994 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.