VehicleVerdict

1989 GMC Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 1989 GMC Suburban — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

24

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

4

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Suburban years?

Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted490 complaints1966: 0 complaints1974: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 5 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 4 complaints1987: 8 complaints1988: 8 complaints1989: 24 complaints1990: 28 complaints1991: 33 complaints1992: 105 complaints1993: 254 complaints1994: 490 complaints1995: 294 complaints1996: 220 complaints1997: 268 complaints1998: 137 complaints1999: 393 complaints2000: 20 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 9 complaints2003: 8 complaints2004: 1 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 GMC Suburban problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts521%
Seats417%
Steering313%
Engine313%
Tires & Wheels28%
Brakes28%
Transmission14%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)14%
Electrical System14%
Fuel System14%
Other14%

Does the 1989 GMC Suburban have recalls?

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

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.

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.

“WE PURCHASED A 1989 GMC SUBURBAN IN FEBRUARY 2003. AT THAT TIME THE PERSON WE HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM TOLD US THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THE PAINT HAD BEEN RECALLED, BUT HE HAD NEVER CHECKED INTO IT. UPON US TAKING DELIVERY I BEGAN TO SEARCH ON THE WEB AND CAME UPON YOUR INFORMATION AND TOOK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · June 15, 2003

“AS A RESULT OF RECLINER BUCKET SEAT RECALL, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOUNTING BOLT BROKE AND THE ENTIRE BACK OF SEAT RELEASED, INJURING CONSUMER'S WIFE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · May 30, 1997

“POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET CRACKED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT 55 MPH AND SERPENTINE BELT TO COME OFF AND DESTROY AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 1, 1995

“THE TIRE BLEW UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TURN IMMEDIATELY TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED A WRECK AND PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER.*AK (TIRESIZE: LT26575R16)”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 30, 1998 · crash

1989 GMC Suburban — common questions

Is the 1989 GMC Suburban reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1989 Suburban problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (5 complaints), seats (4 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 1989 GMC Suburban have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 GMC Suburban. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 GMC Suburban under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Suburban years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Suburban years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1995, 1997, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1992, 1991. 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.