Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My family and I were nearly killed when our right rear tire on our 1996 Suburban lost it's tread. The tire was a Firestone, at, steeltex, 245/75r16. The tire never lost pressure the tread came off and cause us to go out of control into oncoming traffic where we nearly hit a pickup truck head on. From the point where the tire lost the tread to the time that I avoided hitting the oncoming truck we were in a skid which was about 100 to 150 feet with a chord lenght of about 8'. Since I had overcompensated to miss the oncoming truck we started to skid sideways with the front tires pointed towards the shoulder of the road. At the time that the vehicle left the road we were just past perpendicular to the highway. I don't think that I had applied any brakes because I was afraid that it would make matters worse perhaps it would roll. …
My complaint stems from an incident with the Firestone steeltex at tire which lost it's tread and nearly killed my family. Refer to my complaint which I classified under Firestone, lt245/75r16 (June 28th, 2003). From what I have learned so far...Firestone is being totaly unethical regarding their response to all these failures. I also feel that this organization, NHTSA is not representing the tax payers in that it is obvious from all these reports filed that something is seriously wrong with these tires. Why don't you put all Firestone, steeltex, tire complaints under one catagory? You are watering down the severity of this by having 10-15-20 or more different classifications where people such as myself lodge complaints. Please do something about these tires....more people will lose their lives unless something is done. Ak
While traveling 75mph right rear tire blewout. Vehicle vibrated. Pulled to side., and checked tires. Noticed tread had peeled off. Put spare on. Brought another tire to replace spare. 2nd tire left rear blewout, same thing had happened. Then, 3rd tire, right front, same problem. Threw away first tire. Kept other two tires that blew out same day. Vehicle went off road to the left & then back to the right. Driver suffered back injuries due to tread separation of third tire. Bridgestone pueler apt (after market) lt 265/75r16.
The right rear tire experienced tread separation while driving at 60 MPH. The rear of the vehicle went airborne and vibrated badly. The vehicle immediately stopped and nothing appeared out of order and at the speed of 40 MPH there was no indication of vibrating or bouncing. The dealer found the tire tread partially separated from the carcass, there was no leakage of air, and no splitting of tread or sidewall. The Firestone dealer said there were no recalls. (model tire/r4s ii)
On the three separate occasions, I felt vibrations that seemed like a loose wheel and immediately stopped my vehicle. On one occasion, the left rear tire tread separated from the steel and was half gone around the tire. On the two other occasions, I could feel the same vibration and when stopping, I could see the tread separation from the steel belt in the form of large bumps completely around the tires. I attribute my safely stopping to 35 years of trained professional driving and always being conscientious of any unusual vehicle sounds and actions. Each time the tires were replaced by the same Firestone dealer. A prorated charge was made on each tire and the dealer denied any manufacturing problems with the tires and my tires were just flukes. I took the fourth tire off the vehicle and placed it inside as a spare tire with 26,000 miles on it, fearing it would too separate. …
On Sunday, May 14, 2000, I was traveling south on interstate 95 in my 1996 Chevrolet Suburban. Approximately midway through connecticut the right rear tire came apart causing damage to wheel, brake lines, heater hoses and heater core for rear heater. I did not hit anything nor did I notice any problems prior to this incident. These tires were purchased new in January 2000 with 39441 miles on the odometer. The approximate milage when the incident occured was 46500. I was told by Firestone's legal office that the reason was my driving for an unknown period of time with low tire pressure. I checked the tire pressure prior to leaving a relatives house that morning as well as visually checking them at lunch. The incident occured at approx. 2:00 pm. I also religiously check the tire pressure weekly. At no time did I find a tire low.( dot number: tire size: lt245/75r1 )
While driving south on I-81 on the 4th of July weekend, with my wife and child, we were near blacksburg, va. We were in a construction zone and were drive approximately 60 MPH. Our left front tire began to shake, so we pulled to the side of the highway. A large portion of the side wall on the tire had been blown out. I believe it was lucky for us that we were in a construction zone at the time and not traveling at a higher rate of speed. We do not have photos or the tire, but the man at the Firestone store said he'd never seen anything like it before. (dot number: vnii bab38 tiresize: 247/75r16)
While driving about 55 or 60 MPH tread on the rear passenger's side tire came compeletely off, beating the truck to pieces. Driver was able to control truck. Original tire equipment on a 1996, Suburban. Tire size lt24575r16. Tire mileage about 26,000 miles. Owner replaced tire with the same tire. Firestone was not contacted about the tire. Chevrolet repaired truck, and owner received a new tire free of charge. The vehicle dealer repaired damaged caused by the tire failure as well as replaced the tire at no cost to the customer.
Traveling 65mph & vehicle started to vibrate. Was towing camper at time. Stopped & checked & noticed nothing amiss. Drove for 10 miles & vibration got worse. Stopped again & checked tires. Noticed tread had separated from the casing, but was still attached. Contacted aaa & tire changed for spare. Do not have tire. Spare replaced with Goodyear at tire shop. Been in contact with Firestone retailer but not given tire exchangement. Firestone steel tex lt245/75416 with 47,000 miles. Dot #w211b1a435.
Pe-00-020 replacement tires on a 1996 Chevy Suburban, tire size lt24575r16, dot number vn11b1a, tire have about 35 thousands miles on them. When driving consumer noticed vibration coming from the front end, consumer had tires inspected and right rear tire was showed evidence of tread separation. Consumer also experienced a problem when driving 70 MPH the left rear entire tread separated from the tire. Tire was replaced. Please provide any further details.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban, 11% of the model year's 360 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chevrolet Suburban wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Suburban wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.