1996 GMC Suburban
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 62 of 174 complaints (36%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Suspension, Wheels & Tires include more deaths (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 227 in 1995 to 174 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Special Purpose Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,800–5,200 | 4,450–4,800 | 4,450–5,200 | 4,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 12–13 | 13–14 | 12–14 | 14 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 11–12 / 14–16 | 11–12 / 16–17 | 11–12 / 15–17 | 12 / 17 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 684–741 | 635–684 | 635–741 | 635 | |
| Complaints filed | 227 | 174 | 204 | 101 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 18 | 12 | 15 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 18 | 16 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Suburban have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 GMC Suburban?
Brakes: 62 of 174 NHTSA complaints (36%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 GMC Suburban get?
EPA rates it 13–14 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 GMC Suburban?
EPA estimates $4,450–$4,800 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 12 mpg (high) | 17 mpg (high) | 14 mpg (high) | $4,450 (low) | 635 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 11 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | 13 mpg (low) | $4,800 (high) | 684 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 62 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 23 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 4 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 06E043000 · May 22, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER · Campaign 03V159000 · Apr 30, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER · Campaign 98V150001 · Feb 11, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Campaign 96V057000 · Apr 17, 1996
Defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.