VehicleVerdict

1989 Chevrolet Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1989 Chevrolet Suburban sits mid-pack among Suburban years: 68 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 148, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation.

Seats leads the complaint categories with 27 reports (40% of the total).

68

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Suburban years?

Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted1,038 complaints1977: 3 complaints1978: 3 complaints1979: 1 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 4 complaints1984: 6 complaints1985: 12 complaints1986: 7 complaints1987: 21 complaints1988: 35 complaints1989: 68 complaints1990: 67 complaints1991: 65 complaints1992: 226 complaints1993: 616 complaints1994: 1,038 complaints1995: 587 complaints1996: 531 complaints1997: 556 complaints1998: 299 complaints1999: 861 complaints2000: 382 complaints2001: 543 complaints2002: 352 complaints2003: 361 complaints2004: 265 complaints2005: 161 complaints2006: 33 complaints2007: 358 complaints2008: 276 complaints2009: 133 complaints2010: 161 complaints2011: 193 complaints2012: 139 complaints2013: 170 complaints2014: 77 complaints2015: 588 complaints2016: 297 complaints2017: 184 complaints2018: 111 complaints2019: 92 complaints2020: 60 complaints2021: 241 complaints2022: 149 complaints2023: 140 complaints2024: 50 complaints
Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Suburban years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Chevrolet Suburban problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seats2740%
Tires & Wheels812%
Seat Belts710%
Engine69%
Transmission57%
Steering46%
Brakes23%
Fuel System23%
Body & Structure23%
Trailer Hitch23%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Electrical System11%
Other11%

Does the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

93V187000SeatsNovember 16, 1993 · 604,207 units

Defect

THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL BETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.

Consequence

IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULDALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FOAM AND/OR VINYL FROM BETWEEN THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME "SOFT" JOINT AND REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS.

93V119000BrakesAugust 2, 1993 · 341,364 units

Defect

SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.

93V016000TransmissionFebruary 1, 1993 · 1,702,880 units

Defect

UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.

Consequence

THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THIS VEHICLE WAS IN A CHAIN REACTION REAR END COLLISION WHEN STRUCK IN THE REAR, DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BOLTS BROKE, CAUSINGTHE SEAT TO COLLAPSE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT, INJURIES TO BACK, NECK, LEFT KNEE, AND HIP. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · November 20, 1999 · crash

“PE 00 020/TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: RIGHT REAR EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ON A 1989 CHEVROLET, SUBURBAN WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH WITH DRIVER AND SEVEN PASSENGERS. AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AT 134,944 MILES, TIRE SIZE 31X10.50/R15, DOT# VD60AW3258. VEHICLE RECEIVED REAR END BODY DAMAGE, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 20, 2000

“I HAVE 1989 SUBURBAN AND THE PAINT ON THE HOOD AND SOME OF THE PIN STRIPING IS PEELING OFF AND I WAS READING SOME OF THE RECALLS AND I WAS WONDERING HOW COULD I FIND OUT IF I WAS ELIGIBLE FOR THE REPAINTING AND ALSO TWO OF MY SEAT BELTS HAVE FROZE UP AND WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE RETAINER REEL OR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · November 21, 2003

“VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE. NAR 07/02/2003.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 13, 2002 · fire

“VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN AREA OF TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, PULLING A TRAILER. FIRE CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE; VEHICLE TOTALED; ENGINE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED, 14,000 MILES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 25, 1997 · fire

1989 Chevrolet Suburban — common questions

Is the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 68 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Suburban year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1989 Suburban problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seats (27 complaints), tires & wheels (8 complaints), seat belts (7 complaints).

Does the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Suburban years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Suburban years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1993, 2015, 1995, 1997, 2001, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2002, 1998, 2016, 2008, 2004, 2021, 1992, 2011, 2013, 2010, 2022, 2023, 2012, 2009, 2014, 2024. The cleanest record among Suburban years belongs to 1982.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.