1988 Chevrolet Suburban Problems
- Complaints
- 30filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 112,500miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban. The part named most often is tires, with 9 complaints (30% of the total), followed by seats (4) and fuel system (3). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 112,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Tires9 30%
- Seats4 13%
- Fuel system3 10%
- Brakes2 6.7%
- Engine cooling2 6.7%
- Seat belts2 6.7%
- Body and structure2 6.7%
- Equipment1 3.3%
- Steering1 3.3%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Tires: “I purchased four premium bridgestone tires ($168 each). Two of these have now failed prematurely due to catastrophic tread separation. The first was at 29,000 miles, the second at 32,000 miles. Both still had plenty of tread depth remaining. I believe that my safety is at risk with the two remaining tires. These tires were never driven off-road, and were well cared for prior to sudden failure. The tire model was bridgestone r273swp.”
NHTSA complaint #10233598, filed 2008-07, 84,571 milesSeats: “Single bolt that attaches seat back to seat base failed, causing seat back to fall back leaving me looking at the ceiling. I was stopped when this happened. Had I been driving their would certainly been a loss of control and serious injury or deaths could have resulted. The design of this seat is awful. On the adjustment side there are two bolts attaching the seat back to the seat bottom. If either bolt fails the seat back collapses without warning.”
NHTSA complaint #10018570, filed 2003-05, 131,098 milesFuel system: “Had to get a new gas tank because the baffle came loose in the gas tank and whenever going around a corner the car would die. Please describe details.”
NHTSA complaint #807140, filed 1997-01Transmission and drivetrain: “Trying to pass other vehicles, will not downshift, would free spin/rev motor, had transmission replaced once, dealer replaced certain parts in vehicle, but problem in transmission still exists. Have receipts.”
NHTSA complaint #807774, filed 1997-01Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 84,571 and 131,098 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V119000Aug 2, 1993Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › RotorCovers: Chevrolet Suburban 1988–1992, Blazer 1988–1992, GMC Safari 1988–1992 +6 more
Severe corrosion due to road salt at the joint of the stamped steel center section and the cast outer section can cause the sections to separate.
- 93V016000Feb 1, 1993Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Chevrolet Suburban 1988–1992, C10 1988–1993, C20 1988–1993 +11 more
Unanticipated heat in the transmission can force the transmission fluid out of the vent tube.
- 89V010000Jan 30, 1989Seat belts › Front › WebbingCovers: Chevrolet Suburban 1988, GMC Suburban 1988
Drivers seat and/or shoulder belt locking mechanism may not operate.
Recall details for the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 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 | 132 | 47,000 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 89 · More | Too new |
| 2022 | 124 | 58,166 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 73 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 205 | 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 1988 Chevrolet Suburban have?
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban is reported most often?
Tires is named most often, in 9 complaints (30% of the total), followed by seats with 4.
Has the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 112,500 miles and the middle half falls between 84,571 and 131,098 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 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
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.