GMC SUBURBAN · model year

1990 GMC SUBURBAN

28 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1990GMCSUBURBAN carries 28 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 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 1990 SUBURBAN is parking brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage and cable with 4 filings, followed by seats (4) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4). 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 2 investigation files overlapping the 1990 SUBURBAN. 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.

28
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

28 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE4
SEATS4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1

Recent Complaints

20020514PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

CONSUMER STATES THE METAL PARKING BRAKE CABLE WEARS INTO THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE, WHICH COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE HOSE AND THE REAR BRAKES, THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WAS ALMOST WORN TO THE POINT OF FAILURE, THE METAL PARKING BRAKE CABLE DOES HAVE A METAL SLEEVE ON IT TO PROTECT THE RUBBER HOSE, BUT THE NATURAL POSITION OF THE HOSE AND CABLE CAUSES THE SLEEVE TO NOT LINE UP IN THE DESIRED POSITION. *TT

20020426PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

CONSUMER STATES THE METAL PARKING BRAKE CABLE WEARS INTO THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE, WHICH COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE HOSE AND THE REAR BRAKES, THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WAS ALMOST WORN TO THE POINT OF FAILURE, THE METAL PARKING BRAKE CABLE DOES HAVE A METAL SLEEVE ON IT TO PROTECT THE RUBBER HOSE, BUT THE NATURAL POSITION OF THE HOSE AND CABLE CAUSES THE SLEEVE TO NOT LINE UP IN THE DESIRED POSITION. *TT

20020312ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

CONSUMER RAISED HOOD; ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE, AFTER VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, DOUGLAS BATTERY SUDDENLY BLEW UP, CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK *TT

20020308SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

I BELIEVE THE SUBURBAN SERIES VEHICLES HAVE A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKE HOSE(FROM THE BODY TO A CONNECTOR ABOVE THE DIFFERENTIAL) IS USED AS A SUPPORT FOR THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE STRONGER, HEAVIER PARKING BRAKE CABLE RUBS ON THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE, CAUSING THE RUBBER HOSE TO FAIL. THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE DOES HAVE A 2INCH METAL SLEEVE OVER IT NEAR WHERE THE HOSE AND CABLE RUB. HOWEVER, THIS SLEEVE IS NOT LOCATED WHERE THE NATURAL LAY OF THE HOSE/CABLE IS. IN FACT, THE SLEEVE HAS A ROUGH EDGE ON IT, WHICH CAUSES ADDITIONAL WEAR ON THE RUBBER HOSE. THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE IS ALSO BENT WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE TRUCK BODY BECAUSE THE HOSE MUST SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE ON MY SUBURBAN WAS ALMOST WORN THROUGH WHEN I NOTICED IT. I BELIEVE THE FIX COULD BE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE BE ROUTED BELOW THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WITH A RUBBER DOUGHNUT BETWEEN THE HOSE/CABLE.O. *AK

20020308PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

I BELIEVE THE SUBURBAN SERIES VEHICLES HAVE A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKE HOSE(FROM THE BODY TO A CONNECTOR ABOVE THE DIFFERENTIAL) IS USED AS A SUPPORT FOR THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE STRONGER, HEAVIER PARKING BRAKE CABLE RUBS ON THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE, CAUSING THE RUBBER HOSE TO FAIL. THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE DOES HAVE A 2INCH METAL SLEEVE OVER IT NEAR WHERE THE HOSE AND CABLE RUB. HOWEVER, THIS SLEEVE IS NOT LOCATED WHERE THE NATURAL LAY OF THE HOSE/CABLE IS. IN FACT, THE SLEEVE HAS A ROUGH EDGE ON IT, WHICH CAUSES ADDITIONAL WEAR ON THE RUBBER HOSE. THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE IS ALSO BENT WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE TRUCK BODY BECAUSE THE HOSE MUST SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE ON MY SUBURBAN WAS ALMOST WORN THROUGH WHEN I NOTICED IT. I BELIEVE THE FIX COULD BE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE BE ROUTED BELOW THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WITH A RUBBER DOUGHNUT BETWEEN THE HOSE/CABLE.O. *AK

20010516SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED 9/25/99 BY SUSPENSION PLUS IN SAN DIEGO USING MCQUAY NORRIS PARTS.. ON OR ABOUT 11/04/2000 THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING AT LOW SPEED LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL COLLAPSED UNDER THE FRONT END. SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION DETERMINED THAT THE REPLACED UPPER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED BY SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT RETAINER ASSEMBLY FROM THE BALL JOINT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER 9,000 MILES OF OPERATION. WE HAVE THE FAILED PART.*AK

20010516VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE STARTED RACING. COULD NOT STOP. PUT IN NUETRAL,ENGINE RACING. SHUT ENGINE . LATER FOUND THAT THE HOOK FROM SERVO HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF AND THE BAR ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE HAD GOTTEN STUCK IN THE THROTTLE. THIS HOOK SHOULD NOT BE OF A MATERIAL THAT CAN RUST & BREAK OFF LIKE THAT. ALSO I HAVE LOOKED INTO THE SERVICE MANUAL & THERE IS NO MENTION OF SERVICE TO THAT PART ATALL.WHY WILL THE MECHANIC EVEN LOOK AT THAT PART IF THERE IS NO MENTION FOR MAINTENANCE TO THAT PART. THAT JUST MEANS THAT GM FELT THAT THIS PART SHALL LAST TILL I CAN DRIVE THE CAR.I COULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND I COULD STOP ONLY BECAUSE I KNEW WHAT TO DO. THE ENGINE WAS REVING LIKE CRAZY WHEN I STOPPED.*AK

20010507SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER

CONSUMER WAS HEARING NOISE FROM BRAKES WHEN COMING TO A STOP, WAS INSPECTED, AND WAS ADVISED THAT FRONT BRAKES WERE NEEDED, AND REAR SHOCKS WERE LEAKING. *JB

20010507SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

CONSUMER WAS HEARING NOISE FROM BRAKES WHEN COMING TO A STOP, WAS INSPECTED, AND WAS ADVISED THAT FRONT BRAKES WERE NEEDED, AND REAR SHOCKS WERE LEAKING. *JB

20010507WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

LEFT REAR TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, TIRE ROLLED AT A HIGH SPEED ONTO INCOMING TRAFFIC, VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP RIGHT AWAY AND DRUM WAS DRAGGED 192 FEET, ONCE VEHICLE STOPPED IT WAS UP ON SIDEWALK, POSSIBLY RELATED TO LUG NUT FAILURE, REPAIR INCLUDED NEW LOCKS FOR THE LUG NUTS. *JB

20010305SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

FRAME OF SEAT BACK SNAPPED WHEN DRIVER ENTERED VEHICLE AND GOT INTO SEAT. *AK

20010207SEATS

RECALL 93V187000, WAS PERFORMED, SEAT BOLTS BROKE 2 TIMES AFTER THAT, AND 3RD TIME CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE SEAT FRAME. *AK

20000908TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. BUT, CONSUMER COULD KEEP CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. BRIDGESTONE 31.1050 R16. *AK

19990930POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY FIRST GMC PURCHASE SO FAR. WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF BUYING THIS CAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE. NOW, TWO MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW DEALERSHIPS CAN SELL THESE CARS WITH SUCH PROBLEMS AND THE MANUFACTURES NEED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS AND RESOLVE THEM. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

19990930UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY FIRST GMC PURCHASE SO FAR. WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF BUYING THIS CAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE. NOW, TWO MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW DEALERSHIPS CAN SELL THESE CARS WITH SUCH PROBLEMS AND THE MANUFACTURES NEED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS AND RESOLVE THEM. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

19990908SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN EMERGENCY STOPPING PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

19990827CrashSEATS

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHERE L WAS SITTING STILL AND WAS THEN REARENDED AND CONSEQUENTLY FLEW THROUGH THE AIR AND HIT A FULL SIZE FORD PICKUP. WHEN L WAS HIT THE THIRD SEAT IN THE SUBURBAN WAS KNOCKED OFF THE BOLTS AND PUSHED INTO THE SECOND SEAT. MORE SEVERELY, THE DRIVERS SEAT (BUCKET) SNAPPED IN HALF AT THE POINT WHERE THE BACK MEETS THE SEAT. L WAS SEVERELY INJURED WITH SERIOUS AND LIFE LONG BACK INJURIES. L WANT TO KNOW WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN BE DONE. MY SUBURBAN WAS TOTALED IN THE COLLISION AND L WILL HAVE INJURIES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. LF THE SEAT HAD HELD L WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECTLY SAFE. LT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FACT THAT MY INJURIES ARE RIGHT AT THE LOWER LUMBAR SECTION OF MY BACK THAT IF L HAD BEED PROTECTED BY THE SEAT L WOULD BE WALKING FINE TODAY.

19980814POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

19980713SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVER'S SEAT BOLTS FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE.

19971029CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS LEAVING A STOP LIGHT UP TO 15 MPH. WHEN SHE HIT BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BE RESISTING WITH A MUSHY FEELING. THERE WAS NO SUPPORT OF GRABBING, AND THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING FORWARD, RESULTING IN A CRASH, REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

Compare 1990GMCSUBURBAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1990 GMC SUBURBAN have?
The 1990 GMC SUBURBAN has 28 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 GMC SUBURBAN?
The most-complained component for the 1990 GMC SUBURBAN is PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 1990 GMC 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.