PlainCars

GMC · vehicle model

GMC SUBURBAN

2,323 NHTSA complaints and 3 safety recalls across model years 1974–2004.

Complaints
2,323
Recalls
3
Model years
23

The GMCSUBURBAN appears in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database with 2,323 consumer safety complaints and 3 recall campaigns across 23 model years (1974–2004). That averages roughly 101 complaints per model year. Report counts can differ between model years for many reasons; this dataset does not establish the cause of a difference.

Complaint volume on a nameplate alone is not a reliability verdict: a long-running bestseller can accumulate more filings than a low-volume niche model because more vehicles are on the road. The table below shows report counts and published NHTSA crash-test ratings side by side for each model year. The filing-year histogram shows the timing of submitted reports, not a causal trend.

NHTSA has 2 investigation files tied to this model. Investigation records, complaint reports, and recall campaigns each provide different context. Use the official NHTSA VIN lookup and the underlying notices to research a specific vehicle; PlainCars does not infer a vehicle-risk or pricing conclusion from these records.

Complaints by Year

YearComplaints
20041
20038
20029
20015
200020
1999393
1998137
1997268
1996220
1995294
1994490
1993254
1992105
199133
199028
198924
19888
19878
19864
19856
19845
19832
19741

Complaint Filing Trend

NHTSA complaint volume by year filed (not model year).

232
’95
192
’96
243
’97
193
’98
387
’99
344
’00
200
’01
139
’02
108
’03
83
’04
94
’05
40
’06
20
’07
9
’08
12
’09
4
’10
3
’11
4
’12
1
’13
5
’14
2
’15
2
’16
1
’20
2
’21
3
’22

Year filed (bar labels show the complaint count).

View all trending models →

Compare GMCSUBURBAN to Similar Vehicles

GMCSUBURBAN vs FORDFLEX → GMCSUBURBAN vs DODGECHALLENGER → GMCSUBURBAN vs FORDF-350 SD → GMCSUBURBAN vs TESLAMODEL X →

NHTSA Investigations

PE07014Preliminary EvaluationClosed2007-03-13

FUEL TANK LEAK

PE88002Preliminary EvaluationClosed1987-10-09

FRCTR OF P/S PUMP BRCKT

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the GMC SUBURBAN?▼
The GMC SUBURBAN has received 2,323 NHTSA complaints spanning model years 1974 to 2004, with 3 recalls. That averages about 101 complaints per model year.
What years of GMC SUBURBAN are available?▼
PlainCars has complaint and recall data for the GMC SUBURBAN from 1974 to 2004 (23 model years). Select any year to see component-level complaint breakdowns and safety ratings.
Does the GMC SUBURBAN have safety ratings?▼
NHTSA safety ratings (NCAP 5-star program) are available for many GMC SUBURBAN model years from 2011 onward. Select a specific year to see front crash, side crash, and rollover ratings where available.
What are the most common GMC SUBURBAN complaints?▼
NHTSA complaints for the GMC SUBURBAN are categorized by component, common areas include engine, transmission, electrical system, airbags, and brakes. Select a model year for a detailed component-by-component breakdown.
How do I check if my GMC SUBURBAN has been recalled?▼
Visit the year-specific page on PlainCars to see all recalls for your model year, or enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov for official recall status and available remedies.
Data sources

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. GMC SUBURBAN totals are aggregated from the linked NHTSA model-year rows; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.