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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

1989 Chevrolet Suburban Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
8%of 62 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8% of the 62 complaints for this model year. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

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.

“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

Related recalls

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024716%
20231914%
20223226%
20213919%
20201023%
20193849%
20181923%
20173927%
20164520%
20154811%
201458%
201365%
201255%
201132%
201011%
200922%
200873%
200793%
200629%
20051512%
2004147%
2003217%
2002238%
2001338%
2000124%
1999477%
1998199%
19974711%
19964011%
1995255%
1994142%
1993112%
199263%
1991917%
1990713%
198958%
1988310%
198716%
1985222%

Other parts of the 1989 Chevrolet Suburban

Seats
27 complaints
Tires
7 complaints
Seat belts
6 complaints
Engine cooling
4 complaints
Other or unknown
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Electrical system
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
Wheels
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