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Chevrolet Suburban 1500Model year report

1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Problems

Complaints
9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
149,500miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 5.7L 8-cyl RWD · 12 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The part named most often is brakes, with 5 complaints (56% of the total), followed by suspension (2) and electrical system (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 14% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 149,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Brakes: “It keeps stalling on us. We have replaced all the censors, the control module and we even replaced the rear end we have spent well overa thousand dollars and this vehicle still wont stay running it stalls won't start we have fixed everything the codes are reading. This continues to stall it shuts down by its self it almost killed my wife and kids a few times I want this vehicle fully repaired for free. I habe one income and I cant even catch up on my bills as we have spent more on her vehicle to still cause problems and me almost looking my family multiple times in this vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11140221, filed 2018-10, 500 miles

Suspension: “Discovered while replacing the rear axle assembly, the u bolts that connect the rear axle housing to the leaf springs had almost rusted thru. This problem is not easily recognizable as the configuration of lower plate that the u bolts go thru conceals the rusted portions of the u bolt. Also, the configuration of the above-mentioned plate captures road salt, corroding the u bolts. If these bolts failed, the rear axle would dislodge from the vehicle with disastrous results.”

NHTSA complaint #10795331, filed 2015-11, 261,000 miles

Equipment: “After the vehicle has been driven for awhile it develops a very sever shaking. It is to the point it knocks stuff off the dash and out of the cup holders. I have had the tires changed, rotated, balanced. This does nothing to help.”

NHTSA complaint #10202242, filed 2007-09, 65,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

14% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 119,000 and 150,000 miles.

14%0–100%10–250%25–5014%50–750%75–10029%100–15043%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 149,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200622007200822009201020152018
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Suburban 1500 2WD5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121714$4,800
Suburban 1500 4WD5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic111613$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.

Other model years of the Chevrolet Suburban 1500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026188,2503517—Too new
20253217,0001517Too new to compareToo new
202317—1———Too new
20118080,0002—1767 · MoreFalling
20105367,5000—1751 · TypicalStable
20095577,5000—1635 · FewerStable
200810169,0000—1649 · TypicalStable
200719072,5000—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20063168,0001—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20059460,0000—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200418283,9990—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200317590,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200212098,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200192108,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200067118,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199974100,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199814136,0000—14—Not enough data
199716130,0000—14—Stable
19969149,5000—14—Not enough data
19958159,5000—13—Not enough data
19949155,0050—13—Not enough data

All Chevrolet Suburban 1500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 5 complaints (56% of the total), followed by suspension with 2.

Has the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 (Suburban 1500 2WD, 5.7L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 12 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 149,500 miles and the middle half falls between 119,000 and 150,000 miles; 14% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.