VehicleVerdict

1991 GMC Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 33 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.9 times the median Suburban year — the 1991 model ranks #9 of 26 Suburban years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Seats leads the complaint categories with 11 reports (33% of the total).

33

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

4

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Suburban years?

Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 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, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Suburban years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 GMC Suburban problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seats1133%
Brakes1030%
Tires & Wheels412%
Seat Belts39%
Other13%
Body & Structure13%
Transmission13%
Speed Control13%
Engine13%

Does the 1991 GMC Suburban have recalls?

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

96V226000SeatsNovember 4, 1996 · 32,596 units

Defect

THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL VETWEEN 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 WOULD ALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL 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.

“HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 96V226000. CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE ON DATE GIVEN. PICKED VEHICLE UP. RECALL WORK NOT DONE. VEHICLE IN SAME LOCATION. BOLTS WERE NEVER REPLACED. ORIGINAL BOLTS STILL ON SEAT & STILL RUSTY. SEATBACK HAD BROKE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKE TRUCK DIDN'T STOP IT SLOWS THE TRUCK . TT THE BRAKES WORK, BUT NOT THE ABS FEATURE, THE ROAD WAS WET AND IF THE ABS HAD BEE OPERATIVE THE ACCIDENT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.*JB ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · crash

“(LA SUPERIOR COURT,CASE NO.PC018776) A POLICE OFFICER BECAME A PARAPLEGIC AFTER THE GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT (LT235/85R16) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE OFFICER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. ATTORNEY IS WRITING IN WITH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 25, 1996

“CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CAME UNBOLTED FROM THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · crash

“THE SURFAC EHARDENING TECHNIQUE UTILIZED DURING THE MANUFACTURING OF THE RING GEARS BEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS WERE NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH. DURING 1991 THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE AVAILABILITY OF THE AXLE COMPONENTS DUE TO LABOR NEGOTIATIONS WHICH WERE HELD, AND THERE WERE A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

1991 GMC Suburban — common questions

Is the 1991 GMC Suburban reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 33 complaints put the 1991 model at #9 of 26 Suburban years. It is one of the Suburban years to avoid.

What are the most common 1991 Suburban problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seats (11 complaints), brakes (10 complaints), tires & wheels (4 complaints).

Does the 1991 GMC Suburban have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 GMC Suburban. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 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.