VehicleVerdict

1995 GMC Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1995 GMC Suburban carries two red flags at once: 294 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 34.6× the Suburban norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING). It is one of the Suburban years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 6 deaths and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 41% of all reports (121 of 294), far ahead of seats at 47.

294

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

7

Investigations · 1 open

24

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

13

Injuries

6

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Suburban years?

Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 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, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Suburban years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 GMC Suburban problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes12141%
Seats4716%
Visibility & Wipers269%
Electrical System227%
Tires & Wheels207%
Transmission114%
Steering83%
Engine72%
Seat Belts41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Airbags41%
Other31%
Body & Structure31%
Suspension31%
Fuel System31%
Latches & Locks21%
Speed Control21%
Trailer Hitch21%
Child Seat10%
Lighting10%

Does the 1995 GMC Suburban have recalls?

7 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).

03V159000Visibility & WipersApril 28, 2003 · 1,755,876 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

98V150001Visibility & WipersJuly 1, 1998 · 1,557,585 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

96V057000Speed ControlApril 4, 1996 · 379,004 units

Defect

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.

95V139000TransmissionJuly 26, 1995 · 36,641 units

Defect

THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT-CABLE LOCK CLIP CAN BACK OUT OF ITS INSTALLED POSITION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CABLE ADJUSTMENT. WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION, THE "PARK" INDICATOR LIGHT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE.

Consequence

THE VEHICLE CAN MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT NOTICE THAT THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS NOT ON AND DOES NOT APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE SHIFT CABLE AND INSTALL A LOCK CLIP.

95V140000AirbagsJuly 25, 1995 · 3,651 units

Defect

THE VEHICLES HAVE BOTH THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (SIR) LABEL AND AN ENGINE START LABEL INSTALLED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE SUN VISOR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OPERATORS COULD FAIL TO NOTICE AND HEED THE WARNING LABEL.

Remedy

THE ENGINE START LABEL WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE STOWED SIDE OF THE SUN VISOR AND A NEW ENGINE START LABEL WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE HEADLINER IN THE SUN VISOR DEPRESSION. OWNERS WILL RECEIVE THE NEW LABEL AND CAN INSTALL THE LABEL THEMSELVES OR HAVE A DEALER INSTALL IT.

95V026000TransmissionFebruary 16, 1995 · 13,853 units

Defect

DUE TO A THIN CASE CASTING, AN EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION LEAK CAN OCCUR.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE TRANSMISSION OIL TO SPRAYONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND RESULT IN A POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION CASE ASSEMBLY FOR THE INVOLVED CASE CASTING. IF THE ASSEMBLY IS INVOLVED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.

Open NHTSA investigations

DP00001

OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEM AT ALL. VEHICLE DID NOT SLIDE, IT JUST KEPT ROLLING UNTIL IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · crash

“WAS WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN VEHICLE WAS REARENDED BY A NISSAN. UPON IMPACT BY NISSAN, THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE VISIBILITY. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT FORWARD. HAD LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · September 1, 1998 · crash

“WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, HVAC CONTROLS, DOOR WINDOW MOTORS (2), ALTERNATOR, AND RADIO FAILED BETWEEN 50,000 AND 75,000. BATTERY DIED WHILE TRUCK UNDERGOING HVAC CONTROLS REPLACEMENT. WINDSHIELD MOTOR FAILURE OCCURRED DURING STORM--NEARLY CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. DESPITE OUR REPEATED ATTEMPTS,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 6, 1998

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING, CUT VEHICLE OFF FOR A BRIEF PERIOD, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART DUE TO THE BATTERY CABLE WHICH SHORT OUT, CAUSING A FIRE WITHIN THE CABLE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 18, 1997 · fire

“I HAVE STEELTEX AT LT245/75 R16 TIRES ON MY 95 SUBURBAN. TIRES PURCHASED IN 2001. PASSENGER FRONT BLEW OUT 2/20/04 WHILE TRAVELING ON HWY 10 TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH. I HAVE HEARD ABOUT A RECALL. WHAT FORMS DO I NEED TO COMPLETE TO GET A REFUND/ EXCHANGE OF ALL TIRES?*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 20, 2004

1995 GMC Suburban — common questions

Is the 1995 GMC Suburban reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 294 complaints put the 1995 model at #3 of 26 Suburban years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Suburban years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Suburban problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (121 complaints), seats (47 complaints), visibility & wipers (26 complaints).

Does the 1995 GMC Suburban have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 GMC Suburban. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1995 GMC Suburban under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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.