1990 GMC Suburban Problems

VIN Decoder

Premium Report

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

SEATS

7 complaints

FRAME OF SEAT BACK SNAPPED WHEN DRIVER ENTERED VEHICLE AND GOT INTO SEAT. *AK

Feb 22, 2001

RECALL 93V187000, WAS PERFORMED, SEAT BOLTS BROKE 2 TIMES AFTER THAT, AND 3RD TIME CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE SEAT FRAME. *AK

Feb 07, 2001

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHERE L WAS SITTING STILL AND WAS THEN REARENDED AND CONSEQUENTLY FLEW THROUGH THE AIR AND HIT A FULL SIZE FORD PICKUP. WHEN L WAS HIT THE THIRD SEAT IN THE SUBURBAN WAS KNOCKED OFF THE BOLTS AND PUSHED INTO THE SECOND SEAT. MORE SEVERELY, THE DRIVERS SEAT (BUCKET) SNAPPED IN HALF AT THE POINT WHERE THE BACK MEETS THE SEAT. L WAS SEVERELY INJURED WITH SERIOUS AND LIFE LONG BACK INJURIES. L WANT TO KNOW WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN BE DONE. MY SUBURBAN WAS TOTALED IN THE COLLISION AND L WILL HAVE INJURIES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. LF THE SEAT HAD HELD L WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECTLY SAFE. LT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FACT THAT MY INJURIES ARE RIGHT AT THE LOWER LUMBAR SECTION OF MY BACK THAT IF L HAD BEED PROTECTED BY THE SEAT L WOULD BE WALKING FINE TODAY.

Aug 27, 1999

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

DRIVER'S SEAT BOLTS FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE.

Jun 19, 1998

Injuries: 1

RECALL # 93V18700. OWNER STATED THAT THE BOLTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN VEHICLE. BOLTS NEED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. DEALER NOT WILLING TO REPLACE WITHOUT CHARGE. *AK

May 28, 1997

+ 2 more complaints for this component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

4 complaints

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN EMERGENCY STOPPING PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Sep 08, 1999

CONSUMER WAS LEAVING A STOP LIGHT UP TO 15 MPH. WHEN SHE HIT BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BE RESISTING WITH A MUSHY FEELING. THERE WAS NO SUPPORT OF GRABBING, AND THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING FORWARD, RESULTING IN A CRASH, REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

Oct 29, 1997

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

CONSUMER CAN BE RELEASING BRAKE, STARTING OUT AT APPROX 5-10 MPH WHEN CONSUMER NEEDS TO MAKE SUDDEN STOP BRAKES WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY, PUSHES BRAKE TO FLOOR, , TAKES ABOUT A MINUTE BEFORE VEHICLE WILLSTRT TO BRAKE. *AK

Oct 20, 1997

THE TRUCK HAS ABS. THE BRAKES RELEASE ON A BUMPY ROAD AND DO NOT WORK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Nov 01, 1995

Crash: 1

PARKING BRAKE

3 complaints

CONSUMER STATES THE METAL PARKING BRAKE CABLE WEARS INTO THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE, WHICH COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE HOSE AND THE REAR BRAKES, THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WAS ALMOST WORN TO THE POINT OF FAILURE, THE METAL PARKING BRAKE CABLE DOES HAVE A METAL SLEEVE ON IT TO PROTECT THE RUBBER HOSE, BUT THE NATURAL POSITION OF THE HOSE AND CABLE CAUSES THE SLEEVE TO NOT LINE UP IN THE DESIRED POSITION. *TT

Mar 06, 2002

THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE POPPED OFF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Jul 20, 1995

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

CONSUMER RAISED HOOD; ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE, AFTER VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, DOUGLAS BATTERY SUDDENLY BLEW UP, CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK *TT

Mar 12, 2002

Injuries: 1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKE

1 complaint

I BELIEVE THE SUBURBAN SERIES VEHICLES HAVE A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKE HOSE(FROM THE BODY TO A CONNECTOR ABOVE THE DIFFERENTIAL) IS USED AS A SUPPORT FOR THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE STRONGER, HEAVIER PARKING BRAKE CABLE RUBS ON THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE, CAUSING THE RUBBER HOSE TO FAIL. THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE DOES HAVE A 2INCH METAL SLEEVE OVER IT NEAR WHERE THE HOSE AND CABLE RUB. HOWEVER, THIS SLEEVE IS NOT LOCATED WHERE THE NATURAL LAY OF THE HOSE/CABLE IS. IN FACT, THE SLEEVE HAS A ROUGH EDGE ON IT, WHICH CAUSES ADDITIONAL WEAR ON THE RUBBER HOSE. THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE IS ALSO BENT WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE TRUCK BODY BECAUSE THE HOSE MUST SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE ON MY SUBURBAN WAS ALMOST WORN THROUGH WHEN I NOTICED IT. I BELIEVE THE FIX COULD BE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE BE ROUTED BELOW THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WITH A RUBBER DOUGHNUT BETWEEN THE HOSE/CABLE.O. *AK

Mar 06, 2002

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED 9/25/99 BY SUSPENSION PLUS IN SAN DIEGO USING MCQUAY NORRIS PARTS.. ON OR ABOUT 11/04/2000 THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING AT LOW SPEED LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL COLLAPSED UNDER THE FRONT END. SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION DETERMINED THAT THE REPLACED UPPER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED BY SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT RETAINER ASSEMBLY FROM THE BALL JOINT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER 9,000 MILES OF OPERATION. WE HAVE THE FAILED PART.*AK

May 14, 2001

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE STARTED RACING. COULD NOT STOP. PUT IN NUETRAL,ENGINE RACING. SHUT ENGINE . LATER FOUND THAT THE HOOK FROM SERVO HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF AND THE BAR ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE HAD GOTTEN STUCK IN THE THROTTLE. THIS HOOK SHOULD NOT BE OF A MATERIAL THAT CAN RUST & BREAK OFF LIKE THAT. ALSO I HAVE LOOKED INTO THE SERVICE MANUAL & THERE IS NO MENTION OF SERVICE TO THAT PART ATALL.WHY WILL THE MECHANIC EVEN LOOK AT THAT PART IF THERE IS NO MENTION FOR MAINTENANCE TO THAT PART. THAT JUST MEANS THAT GM FELT THAT THIS PART SHALL LAST TILL I CAN DRIVE THE CAR.I COULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND I COULD STOP ONLY BECAUSE I KNEW WHAT TO DO. THE ENGINE WAS REVING LIKE CRAZY WHEN I STOPPED.*AK

May 12, 2001

SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

CONSUMER WAS HEARING NOISE FROM BRAKES WHEN COMING TO A STOP, WAS INSPECTED, AND WAS ADVISED THAT FRONT BRAKES WERE NEEDED, AND REAR SHOCKS WERE LEAKING. *JB

Apr 10, 2001

WHEELS

1 complaint

LEFT REAR TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, TIRE ROLLED AT A HIGH SPEED ONTO INCOMING TRAFFIC, VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP RIGHT AWAY AND DRUM WAS DRAGGED 192 FEET, ONCE VEHICLE STOPPED IT WAS UP ON SIDEWALK, POSSIBLY RELATED TO LUG NUT FAILURE, REPAIR INCLUDED NEW LOCKS FOR THE LUG NUTS. *JB

Apr 10, 2001

TIRES

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. BUT, CONSUMER COULD KEEP CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. BRIDGESTONE 31.1050 R16. *AK

Sep 08, 2000

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY FIRST GMC PURCHASE SO FAR. WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF BUYING THIS CAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE. NOW, TWO MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW DEALERSHIPS CAN SELL THESE CARS WITH SUCH PROBLEMS AND THE MANUFACTURES NEED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS AND RESOLVE THEM. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

Sep 30, 1999

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

Aug 14, 1998

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES.*AK *JB

Aug 13, 1996

4.3/5.0

78 reviews

GMC Suburban VIN Decoder — Free VIN Check Video Guide

Watch our quick GMC Suburban VIN decoder walkthrough. Learn how to decode any GMC Suburban VIN number to get full vehicle history, recall alerts, specifications, fuel economy (MPG), safety ratings, and known problems — completely free on ForCar.org.

Where to Find VIN for Problems Check

To check for problems and complaints on your 1990 GMC Suburban, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.

Where to Find VIN Number on 1990 GMC Suburban for Problems Lookup - Dashboard, Door Jamb, Engine Bay, Documents

Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports

Each character in your 1990 GMC Suburban 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.

1990 GMC Suburban VIN Structure for Complaint Verification - WMI, VDS, Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code

How to Check 1990 GMC Suburban Problems in 3 Steps

Locate Your VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on your 1990 GMC Suburban dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.

Review by Component

Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.

Check Safety Issues

Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your GMC dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1990 GMC Suburban have?

The 1990 GMC Suburban currently has 24 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1990 GMC Suburban?

The most common problems reported for the 1990 GMC Suburban are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1990 GMC Suburban problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1990 GMC Suburban comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

How do I report problems with my 1990 GMC Suburban?

You can report safety problems with your 1990 GMC Suburban directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.

Where can I find my VIN to check problems?

Your 1990 GMC Suburban VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Is the 1990 GMC Suburban reliable?

Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 1990 GMC Suburban. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.