1989 Chevrolet Suburban Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 5%of 62 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 5% of the 62 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The steering column came loose 3 times(9/3/93, 12/16/97, 2/3/99). This is a poor design with cheap white metal parts. The repairs have cost me $1000 to date($100,$400 and$500). I believe this should be a recall item. I don't know how long my latest repair(replacement of the steering column) will last. This is not acceptable on a $25000 vehicle. I am rather reluctant to procure another GM vehicle because of this.”
NHTSA complaint #702908, filed 1999-02“The contact owns a 1989 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic where the technician informed that the steering u-joint had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10979026, filed 2017-04, 90,000 miles“Frame section located near steering gear box, is cracked/ steering gear box is leaking fluid and pulley on power steering pump is shredding. Steering gear box has been replaced. T vehicle is not controllable if fluid leaks out too fast.”
NHTSA complaint #857355, filed 2000-02Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 3 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 9% |
| 2019 | 6 | 8% |
| 2018 | 8 | 10% |
| 2017 | 6 | 4% |
| 2016 | 23 | 10% |
| 2015 | 60 | 14% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% |
| 2005 | 5 | 4% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 20 | 7% |
| 2002 | 22 | 8% |
| 2001 | 29 | 7% |
| 2000 | 20 | 7% |
| 1999 | 52 | 8% |
| 1998 | 21 | 10% |
| 1997 | 105 | 25% |
| 1996 | 15 | 4% |
| 1995 | 13 | 3% |
| 1994 | 5 | 1% |
| 1993 | 4 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1989 | 3 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 14% |
| 1985 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban
27 complaintsTires
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology