1989 Chevrolet Suburban Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report the front seat back collapsing when the retaining bolt at the seat frame breaks, sometimes while driving and sometimes in a crash, and a number say the problem returned after the seat recall work had been done. Tire tread separation and transmission fluid overheating or leaking onto the exhaust are the other recurring themes. Few complaints record mileage, so these failures read more as a function of age and use than of distance covered.

1. 1
   Seats

   Seat back collapses when the seat bolt breaks

   • 21 complaints (34%)
   • median 165,000 mi at 15.6 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Drivers describe the seat back suddenly dropping rearward while driving, into the second row or against the door pillar, and passenger seats doing the same when an anchor bolt lets go. Many say the seat had already been through the 93V187 recliner recall and that the joint failed again afterwards; some report the dealer declined to redo the work, and one was told the vehicle was outside the recalled VIN range. The bolts are described as broken, sheared, stripped or loose again after replacement. Most complaints do not record mileage; the one that does lists about 165,000 miles, and failures are often described as happening years after the recall repair.

   Recall 93V187000

   What to check: Ask whether the 93V187 recliner recall was performed and whether the seat bolts have been inspected or replaced since. With the vehicle parked, push rearward on the top of both front seat backs and check for play, loose or shiny bolt heads, and any sign the frame has been apart.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driver seat back retaining bolt broke leading to total rearward collapse of driver seat while vehicle was in motion. In speaking with my independent mechanic today it came to my attention that he has or had a vehicle in his possession for repair of very same defect recently.”

   NHTSA complaint #10096095, filed 2004-10, 165,000 miles

   “The front driver seat was subject to a recall in the early to mid '90's for failure of a bolt which would cause the seat back to collapse. When I received notice of this recall, I promptly had the work done. But when I left the dealership, I felt uneasy because I really didn't think they did the work. About a year to two years after the bolt was replaced the seat collapsed on me. I took it back to the dealer and they fixed it immediately. …”

   NHTSA complaint #726152, filed 2000-07
2. 2
   Tires

   Tire tread separation at highway speed

   • 5 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 12.0 yrs old
   • filed 2000–2001

   Owners describe the tread peeling away from the casing, sometimes as a belt separation, at highway speeds, with body damage or a roadside tire change afterward. Some say the tires were out of round and vibrated from new, and that a tire shop offered to sell replacements rather than deal with the failed tire. The sizes and DOT codes named in the complaints differ, and some sets were aftermarket rather than original equipment. Most complaints do not give mileage; one says the tires were fitted at about 135,000 miles, and the separations are described at highway speeds.

   What to check: Read the date codes and DOT numbers on all tires and look for bulges, cracking or exposed belt edges in the tread and sidewall. On a test drive, note any vibration or out-of-round feel, and ask how old the tires are and whether any have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In july of 2000 I went to firestone to report a bubble in my right front tire. The employee said that the tread was seperating and that I should buy new tires. They had none in stock so I bought elsewhere. I still had the firstones on the rear. On easter 2001 while returning home on the highway at 65 MPH the left rear tire suffered tread seperation. I was able to pull to the side and had the tire changed. I had 5 family members in the car who were very scared by this. Damage was $2300. …”

   NHTSA complaint #745184, filed 2001-05

   “Yesterday I was driving 60mph down hwy 59 in houston and heard this awful noise like I ran over something. Luckily I was able to get quickly over to the shoulder. Sure enough the back left tire, a firestone 235/75/15 fr480 (same size as the recall, but different firestone) tire peeled off the belts. It looked like it was about to pop and I don't know how it did not. It did some damage to my vehicle also. I went to a firestone shop and he wants to just sell me new tires... Not even replace the blowout!!! …”

   NHTSA complaint #734958, filed 2000-10
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission fluid loss and overheating

   Mentioned in 4 of 33 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe hot transmission fluid escaping from the vent tube or from a failed front seal and reaching the exhaust, with underhood fires reported while driving uphill or pulling a trailer. Some owners say the transmission still failed from overheating after the 93V016 recall work had been completed. One describes a broken stud at the ring gear housing that made the vehicle jerk while driving. None of these complaints record mileage; the failures are described during uphill driving, while towing, and after recall repairs.

   Recall 93V016000

   What to check: Ask whether the 93V016 transmission recall work was carried out, then check the fluid level and colour and look for residue or drips around the vent tube, the front seal and the exhaust. After a loaded test drive, check for a hot fluid smell or smoke.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle caught fire in area of transmission while driving uphill, pulling a trailer. Fire caused by transmission fluid leakage; vehicle totaled; engine previously replaced, 14,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #814652, filed 1997-07

   “Owner states while driving vehicle the stud broke. This is part of the ring gear housing. When the stud broke his vehicle started to jerk, as well as other things happening.”

   NHTSA complaint #811042, filed 1997-04

Buying note. A vehicle of this age will usually have covered substantial mileage, and the reports here point at seat-frame hardware, tire age and transmission fluid leaks rather than engine wear, so an inspection should focus on those three areas. Have the recall status checked by VIN and ask for records of any seat or transmission recall work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 33 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.