Most common 1996 GMC Suburban problems
Share of the 172 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Suburban complaints by model year
Best Suburban years: 2001, 2003, 2002. Years to avoid: 1999, 1995, 1997, 1996. Compare all years →
1996 GMC Suburban recalls (3)
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 › 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.
Vehicle speed control
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."
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 1996 GMC Suburban:
Battery leaks acid
Odi has received 21 complaints where owners allege that the standard GM factory supplied ac delco battery case failed, resulting in the leakage of sulfuric acid.of the 21 complaint vehicles, six suburban, three tahoes, and one yukon owner(s) complained about a loss of brake fluid from deterioration of the right frontbrake line as a result of sulfuric acid contamination.the remaining 11 complaints pertain primarily…
HEADLIGHT
Based on the reports received by odi from consumers, failure of the headlight electrical circuit May occur in the subject vehicles, and May result from repeated adjustment ofthe tilt steering wheel in the subject vehicles.repeated adjustment of the steering wheel position May strain the wiring in the headlight circuit to the point of failure where they are attached to the multi-function switch, resulting in the…
Poor brake performance
Poor performance of ABS brakes
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.
OEM hitch receiver platform cracking
The petition alleges that cracks in the hitch receiver platform May lead to separation of the trailer and loss of steering control
What 1996 GMC Suburban owners say
Brakes all 62 →
Vehicle was exhibiting no problems. Upon approaching a red traffic light the brake pedal was depressed, and the pedal went to the floor, as if the ABS system was kicking in, but the vehicle did not slow down. I replaced the master cylinder and bled all brake lines, and the condition still exists. I performed diagnostics on the vehicle according to seveal service manuals and determined that the ABS modulator valve has failed in such a manner as to allow brake fluid to bleed into the ABS accumulator, without getting an ABS diagnostic failure light. I had to drive the vehicle home for over 20 miles with severely limited breaking power and was very fortunate to have avoided an accident. I would rather not have ABS breaks on the vehicle than have a break system that can fail in this manner. …
Dt: 1996 Chevrolet Suburban. A manufacturer's recall 05068 concerning ABS brakes on the 1999 through 2002 models. Was issued. This vehicle was not included in the recall although the consumer experienced the same problem as mentioned in the recall. The consumer had not taken vehicle to the dealer yet, but the consumer knew that there was no recall on this make an model, and year for the ABS. The ABS activated between 3-10 MPH, causing extended stopping distance. This started happening about six months ago, not every time. Now, it happens every time while driving the vehicle under any road conditions. There have been no accidents because of this, but it is just a matter of time. Could not count the number of times the ABS failed.
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 25 →
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds on the highway, the engine stalled without warning. After stalling, the vehicle was not easily restarted. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the fuel injector pump needed to be replaced. After the initial replacement, the problem persisted. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the fuel pump needed to be replaced again. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 12/18/2006 - the injector pump which was replaced under recall failed again. The consumer also wanted to recall fixed, however the dealer refused to honor the recall. Recall numbers 96V057000 and 03V159000. Updated 03/21/07.
I have taken my vehicle to anaheim hills GMC under factory warranty and told them about my wipers working intermitently or not working at all. The wipers only failed to operate once for me at this time. The dealership said that the wipers were working fine that day they tested and theres nothing they can do, especially since my VIN wasn't listed on the recall. It's been almost a year now and the problem has increased in severity and frequency. I can't see out of my windshield many times and have to pull over to clean it manually. Sometimes the wipers don't stop working even in the off position so my wiper blades are getting tore up on a dry windshield. The washer feature only works 10% of the time. I am having the exact same problem that the campaign recall covers. I am told by GMC customer service that they can't do anything because of the recall not including my VIN #. …
Wheels & tires
Traveling up from va, the right rear Firestone tire which is a lt245/75r16 mounted on a 1996 2500 Suburban load range e tire rated at max 80 psi, was inflated to 65 psi. I felt a bobbling then the tread came off the casing, damaging the side of my Suburban, ripping off the mud flap and damage the paint as it flopped around and just ripped itself off. Fortunately the tire did not go flat but lost the entire tread portion. This set of four was purchase and was exact replacement from OEM tire when new. There is about 80% tread on tires. Firestone is telling me to run 45 psi in the front end 80 psi in the rear. I don't believe this is accurate.
Accident is in litigation; two experts have examined the tire and determined that separation caused by a manufacturing defect. Bridgestone/Firestone has I.d. The tire as manufactured 7th week of 1996 in decateur factory; the is no issue of under or over inflation. For more information call attorney robert kahn [phone]( dot number: vdw8axc076 tire size: 265/75r16 )
1996 GMC Suburban engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 GMC Suburban a good car?
Based on 172 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Suburban rates avoid: 2.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Suburban at the same age. It is one of the Suburban years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 GMC Suburban?
The brakes — 62 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (25) and wheels & tires (19).
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Suburban have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1996 GMC Suburban, the most recent from April 28, 2003 (windshield wiper/washer). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Suburban?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 2003 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 1995, 1997 and 1996. See the full GMC Suburban years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 GMC Suburban problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 83,000 miles; 13% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.