Total Complaints
33 filings
GMC SUBURBAN · model year
1991 GMC SUBURBAN
33 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1991GMCSUBURBAN carries 33 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 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 1991 SUBURBAN is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 8 filings, followed by seats (8) and seats:front assembly:recliner (3). 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 1991 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.
33
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 8 |
| SEATS | 8 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 2 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20040301CrashSEAT 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
Mileage: 206,095
20001219TIRES: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 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.
20001205TIRES: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 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.
20001030SEATS
RECALL FOR COLLAPSE OF DRIVER SEAT,RECALL DONE, SEAT COLLAPSED AFTER RECALL REPAIR???*AK
20001010TIRES
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 )
20001010TIRES
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 )
20000911SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
20000911UNKNOWN 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 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.
19990928SEATS
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
19990921SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
REAR PASSENGERS RESTRAINTS DO NOT RETRACT OR PULL OUT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
19981020SEATS
FRONT SEAT BOLTS FAILED.
19971218ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FAILED.
19971125SERVICE 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
19971123SEATS
THE BOLT HOLDING SEAT RECLINER BROKE PRIOR TO/AFTER SERVICE RECALL. *AK *SLC
19971107SERVICE 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
19971024SERVICE 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
19971021POWER 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
19970905SERVICE 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.
19970828SEATS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FAILED , CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.
19970708STRUCTURE: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
Compare 1991GMCSUBURBAN to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1991 GMC SUBURBAN have?▼
The 1991 GMC SUBURBAN has 33 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 GMC SUBURBAN?▼
The most-complained component for the 1991 GMC SUBURBAN is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS and SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER.
Is the 1991 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.