1986 Chevrolet Suburban Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 200,000miles, 1 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
- 13 mpgcombined, 5.7L 8-cyl RWD · 11 city / 15 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Chevrolet Suburban (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Suburban. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by tires (2) and electrical system (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 200,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 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.
- Other or unknown2 29%
- Tires2 29%
- Electrical system1 14%
- Fuel system1 14%
- Steering1 14%
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “I have a complaint regarding booster seats and the inability to properly secure my 50 lb four year old. She is too big for a 5 point harness car seat (40 lbs) and there are no shoulder belts in my 1986 Suburban to use a high back booster seat. I can not comply with the new california law and as a low income family we cannot afford a new Suburban for our 5 children! What are we supposed to do????”
NHTSA complaint #756513, filed 2002-01Tires: “Bridgestone dueler apt tread separated on dry road, light load, 60 MPH. Tire had less than 6000 miles on it. This tire was a replacement for another same make/model that exploded and did fender and tailpipe damage.( DOT number: tire size: lt235/85r1 )”
NHTSA complaint #728556, filed 2000-08Electrical system: “The location of the wiring harness, in general, and its location to the fuel tank in a rear end accident would mash the harness between the bumper and the fuel tank. If rupture occurs then the ignition source would be present, resulting into an explosion.”
NHTSA complaint #10094538, filed 2004-09, 200,000 milesFuel system: “Please investigate the potential of fire/explosion concerning the fuel tank sending unit (in older model g.m. Vehicles) and the possibility of a direct short to it's wiring. I believe this could be a serious safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10093598, filed 2004-10Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 200,000 and 200,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Chevrolet Suburban version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suburban C10 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Suburban C10 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 15 | 13 | $5,150 |
| Suburban C10 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
| Suburban K10 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 15 | 12 | $5,600 |
| Suburban K10 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 10 | 15 | 12 | $5,600 |
| Suburban K10 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed manual | 10 | 12 | 11 | $6,100 |
| Suburban C10 2WD | 6.2L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $5,300 |
| Suburban K10 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 16 | $6,000 |
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 1986 Chevrolet Suburban 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.
NHTSA investigations
- DP88003Poor braking on panic stopClosed · Oct 23, 1987
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Chevrolet Suburban.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Suburban
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 45 | 16,600 | 1 | 4 | 17 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 131 | 47,000 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 89 · More | Too new |
| 2022 | 124 | 58,166 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 73 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 204 | 69,224 | 12 | 4 | 17 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 44 | 30,000 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 52 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 78 | 67,000 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 84 | 42,000 | 4 | 4 | 19 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 142 | 53,333 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 85 · More | Stable |
| 2016 | 220 | 59,963 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 431 | 62,000 | 11 | 4 | 18 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 59 | 55,000 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 23 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 118 | 60,000 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 101 | 66,300 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 41 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 148 | 70,000 | 3 | — | — | 31 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 117 | 90,000 | 3 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 106 | 85,000 | 5 | — | — | 30 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 213 | 85,000 | 4 | — | — | 32 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 292 | 85,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 23 | 90,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2005 | 129 | 83,000 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 204 | 63,200 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 301 | 76,731 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 286 | 64,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 440 | 60,650 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 282 | 70,975 | 8 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 634 | 85,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 201 | 76,500 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 414 | 100,858 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 360 | 93,100 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 457 | 113,450 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 858 | 122,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 499 | 120,000 | 0 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 189 | 30,000 | 3 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 52 | 106,744 | 3 | — | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1990 | 54 | — | 3 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 62 | 127,500 | 3 | — | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 30 | 112,500 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 18 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 7 | 200,000 | 0 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 9 | — | 0 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 6 | — | 0 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Suburban model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Chevrolet Suburban have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Suburban as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Chevrolet Suburban is reported most often?
Other or unknown is named most often, in 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by tires with 2.
Has the 1986 Chevrolet Suburban 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 1986 Chevrolet Suburban get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Chevrolet Suburban (Suburban C10 2WD, 5.7L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 15 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Chevrolet Suburban reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 200,000 miles and the middle half falls between 200,000 and 200,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.