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Model Year Problem Record

Chevrolet Suburban 1996 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

360Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
7Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
42Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes169 complaints

169 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System60 complaints

60 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train45 complaints

45 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility44 complaints

44 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 03V159000, 98V150001.

Engine44 complaints

44 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires39 complaints

39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Trailer Hitches and Towing5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control5 complaints

5 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V057000.

Unknown Or Other3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V159000Reported April 28, 2003 - 1,755,876 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on April 28, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 1,755,876 vehicles across all affected models.

96V057000Reported April 4, 1996 - 379,004 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on April 4, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 379,004 vehicles across all affected models.

98V150001Reported July 1, 1998 - 1,557,585 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on July 1, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 1,557,585 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP00001Opened January 31, 2000 - Open

OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA00013Opened May 2, 2000 - Closed June 28, 2002

BATTERY LEAKS ACID. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA00024Opened September 26, 2000 - Closed December 21, 2001

HEADLIGHT. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA02006Opened May 31, 2002 - Closed July 23, 2003

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 03V159000.

EA95026Opened September 20, 1995 - Closed September 20, 2001

POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. Resulted in recall campaign 01I006000.

EA97007Opened April 17, 1997 - Closed March 12, 1998

STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE96076Opened December 18, 1996 - Closed April 17, 1997

STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19951
199621
199784
199836
199949
200078
200135
200217
200311
200411
20057
20065
20081
20101
20111
20132
20141
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.