Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
You'll be driving down the road the brakes will be working just fine then they'll just all sudden go out and then it backfires and blows it blows up a big cloud of fire out of the motor and that's the GMC 1999 Suburban four-wheel drive 7.4 l
Vehicle engine will intermittently stall or cut out at highway speeds. This condition occurs approximately once or twice a month under varied driving conditions. The vehicle will restart immediately after stalling. Several times when this has occurred, the service engine light will come on, but it will turn off after 20-30 miles of driving. This has been occurring for over a year now, I have taken the vehicle to three GM dealerships, and they claim they cannot replicate the problem. They have replaced the fuel pump at my expense, and the catalytic converter under warranty. I have also taken the vehicle to two independent shops for the same problem and they have also not been able to replicate the problem or offer a solution, other than replacing the basic components (spark plugs , plug wires, fule filter etc), which I have had done.. …
Nar 04/28/2003. Mr the consumer experienced problems with his vehicle. The vehicle leaked oil, engine idled roughly, coolant system leaked, there was a problem with the dome light, steering, the rear axle, the left rear glass rattled, the air condition, battery, suspension were all inoperative. The fuel filter, mirror transmission seat, seat belts, wipers, alternator, brakes, fuel pump.
The ses light would illuminate intermittently , this would happen when the weather was cold and would last from 10 days to several weeks, to date the dealer has not been able to correct the problem, possibly related to engine or indicator light failure. Nlm
The ignition switch started to fail while driving. First the heater fan would quit and the ABS light would instantly turn on, and the cruise control would fail to operate. When the ABS light would be on the ABS would fail to operate. Then suddenly all operations would go back to normal. It would be unpredictable when the heater fan and the ABS would fail and come back. Then yesterday, the Suburban started and died 3 seconds after starting. I restarted the Suburban and all seemed good. I put the Suburban in drive and rolled at about 5 MPH and the truck died. I stopped and put the Suburban in to park and restarted. Placed it into drive and made it home. When I got home, I turned off the Suburban and tried to restart it. It would crank but not fire the engine. The radio and heater and all other electronics would operate as normal, but the dash lights would not turn on I.e. …
1997 GMC Suburban- multiple engine & transmission failures. At 60,000 miles, vehicle began to shift hard. Returned to shop for diagnosis and repairs several times for work. Finally, while driving the vehicle in city traffic, the transmission failed compeletly. Required valve cover and transmission rebuild @ cost of $2,000. On December 27 '03, had to replace the radiator. On jan 17 '04, discovered that there was no antifreeze in new radiator. Returned to mechanic who replaced the radiator. Said the intake manifold needed to be replaced. Cost: ~$600. Took to another mechanic for second opinion. Same diagnosis. Both state that GM is aware of both problems, however, they will not cover the costs of repairs or replacement. Additionally- replaced alternator two times; replaced water pump two times; replaced the master cylinder in fall 2003.
On the GMC 6.5 the pmd, or pump mounted driver fails due to heat failure, also failing for no reason in 8 degree temperatures. When it fails there are no signs, warnings just stalling the power steering, power brakes gone. Now put yourself on a 2 mile hill of an insane descent, and yourself behind the steering wheel what would you do? This is insanity that the dealership will only help you if there is less than 100,000 miles on your car, and then all they do is replace the pump, when the pump isn't the problem its the pump mounted driver. I personally have spoken to and been to the manufacturers and they refuse to admit there is a problem, this is the manufacturer! But I don't understand how after 11 years nothing has been done about this problem, only a rip and replace, and if there's to many miles to bad for you. …
I have two GMC vehicles with the same engine, a gas 5.7l v8, that required intake manifold gasket replacement within one month of each other. The first vehicle is a 1996 1500 Suburban with 90,000 miles. The other is a 1998 k1500 pickup with 80,000 miles. Both leaks occurred at the rear of the bottom intake manifold. The mechanic performing the repair states this is a very common problem with his shop performing approximately 5-6 a month in a town of only 30,000. The dealer denies any generic problem. Inspection of the gasket implies a temperature related problem of the gasket body that undermines the seal ridge.
NHTSA investigations
Crank position sensor failure - stall
In a letter dated November 7, 2007, general motors (GM) reported to the office of defects investigation (odi) that it will conduct a safety recall (07v-521) to replace the crank position sensor (ckp) in approximately 12,000 model year (my) 2001 Chevrolet silverado and GMC sierra vehicles equipped with 8.1 liter engines manufactured on or before November 15, 2000.according to GM, the ckp can fail intermittently or…
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Suburban years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (24), 1997 (21), 1996 (8), 1995 (7) and 1998 (5) model years. Engine complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for GMC Suburban engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any GMC Suburban model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do GMC Suburban engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (31 mentions), followed by the engine (14).
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.