Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% | 15,000 miles |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% | 10,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% | 202,000 miles |
| 2015 | 6 | 1% | 52,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 3% | 175,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% | 0 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% | 17,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% | 115,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | 40,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% | 106,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% | 80,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% | 225,000 miles |
| 2004 | 9 | 4% | 62,000 miles |
| 2003 | 12 | 4% | 51,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% | 50,000 miles |
| 2001 | 9 | 2% | 38,000 miles |
| 2000 | 18 | 6% | 63,000 miles |
| 1999 | 41 | 6% | 85,000 miles |
| 1998 | 46 | 23% | 77,000 miles |
| 1997 | 37 | 9% | 108,000 miles |
| 1996 | 42 | 12% | 120,000 miles |
| 1995 | 48 | 11% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. Additionally, the windshield wipers were inoperable. On another occasion, while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a loss of communication with the control module, steering, gateway module, engine, body control module, and brakes. The dealer retrieved DTC codes: U0101, U0131, U0146, U152B, U160F, and U1561. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
Sun Roof has leaked. The Sun roof leaked a considerable amount of water and it came through the head liner around the ceiling mounted control panel as well as the back of the car. This is the second time it has happened and I have been told it is not covered under warranty. Through online blogs and forums I have found that this is a common issue with 2021 and newer tahoes and suburbans. And that is a reoccurring problem that is commonly not fixed properly by the dealers This causes a safety and health issue as well as an unacceptable vehicle defect. 1.) From a safety standpoint, if I am driving down the highway and a large amount of water starts pouring out of the headliner on the driver it causes a major distraction that could lead to high speed accident. 2.) From a health issue, regular water leaks could lead to vehicle mold and water damage. …
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a loud booming sound coming from the vehicle, and the sunroof glass exploded. During the failure, the sunroof cover was closed. Upon inspection, the contact discovered shards of glass inside the sunroof location. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 202,000.
Windshield washer system only sprays the very bottom of windshield and cleans the bottom of the windshield completely smearing the remaining portion making it difficult if not impossible to drive and see the road and objects causing a significant safety issue for occupants of this vehicle as well as the traveling public. I found this defect while traveling at highway speeds. I attempted to increase speed to no avail. Ive made several inquiries to the dealership and to corporate with no resolution or suggestions. The dealership did bring a same type vehicle, year and model, and placed it along side my vehicle and the windshield washer system operate identical to mine. This defect was reported to the dealership shortly after I purchased. All documentation is in dealer and corporate computors.
The drivers seat back is extremely lose. Moves forward and back with every brake and acceleration. The seat base also moves slightly, rocking left to right in turns. The suspension completely failed and had to be replaced. An unknown oily substance has been coating the inside of the windshield since the purchase of vehicle in 2015. Requires constant deep cleaning in order to see through windshield.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the air conditioner failed to work. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the condenser failed due to a leak and needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that due to this being a known issue with these vehicles, the part was currently on national backorder. Prior to the failure, the condenser had been replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
I will now list the quality/safety issues that I have taken my vehicle to al serra north for, and how many of the issues have been resolved and how many have not. Also I will list the total number of days my vehicle has been out of my possession for these ?repairs.? That number is 12. 02/05/2013 third row left seat safety/latch issue. Unresolved 03/06/2013 third row left seat safety/latch issue. Unresolved 03/29/2013 third row left seat safety/latch issue. Unresolved 04/03/2013 third row left seat safety/latch issue. Unresolved 03/06/2013 crooked ?lt? Decal on drivers side of vehicle. Resolved 03/06/2013 gap between cargo area coat hanger and headliner. Resolved 03/06/2013 my freaking hi-beam headlights did not work! Resolved 03/29/2013 passenger-side mirror shakes at higher speed so you cannot see what is behind you. Unresolved 04/03/2013 rattle in passengers side second row seat. …
The left driver's side exterior mirror is restricted in its upward movement and will not move high enough to enable safe viewing of the blind side on the left of the car. The mirror is obstructed by the frame of the mirror assembly so it won't pivot into the frame to give a higher view.
Related recalls (4)
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Suburban HD vehicles. These vehicles were assembled with a convex right-hand outside mirror, instead of with a non-convex (flat) right-hand outside mirror.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the convex mirror with a non-convex mirror and provide a new page for the owner's manual with the customer notification letter, free of charge.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
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.
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…
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
Certain sport utility vehicles, Mini vans, and pickup trucks May develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch. Owner notification began on April 24, 2003.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, GM has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Suburban years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (48), 1998 (46), 1996 (42), 1999 (41) and 1997 (37) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Suburban window & wiper problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 17V-033 (exterior, Jan 12, 2017); 03V-159 (windshield wiper/washer, Apr 28, 2003); 03V-093 (exterior, Mar 7, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Suburban window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield wiper/washer › motor (85 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer (75).
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.