1988 GMC Suburban Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 GMC Suburban (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1988 GMC Suburban. The part named most often is seat belts, with 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling (1) and equipment (1). Of all complaints, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the webbing filed under the same part.
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.
- Seat belts2 25%
- Engine cooling1 13%
- Equipment1 13%
- Seats1 13%
- Body and structure1 13%
- Suspension1 13%
- Tires1 13%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Shoulder belts needed to be replaced. Dealer did not seem concerned about safety aspect of problem. Manufacturer could only say that it was very poorly produced. They could only say it was discontinued. Consumer was willing to pay for the installation & equipment.”
NHTSA complaint #873531, filed 2000-10Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V016000Feb 1, 1993Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: GMC Suburban 1988–1992, Chevrolet 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: GMC Suburban 1988, Chevrolet Suburban 1988
Drivers seat and/or shoulder belt locking mechanism may not operate.
Recall details for the 1988 GMC Suburban → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE92026Seat back failuresClosed · Mar 6, 1992
- DP90017Inadequate exhaust heat shieldClosed · Aug 24, 1990
- PE90026Improper speed controlClosed · Dec 12, 1989
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 GMC Suburban.
Other model years of the GMC Suburban
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 5 | 30,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 7 | 72,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 15 | 47,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 285 | 78,800 | 1 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 100 | 90,196 | 2 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 200 | 96,800 | 2 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 172 | 83,332 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 227 | 125,000 | 6 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 411 | 113,000 | 3 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 212 | 114,000 | 0 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 80 | 170,118 | 2 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 30 | 206,095 | 2 | — | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 22 | — | 2 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 17 | 13,982 | 2 | — | 12 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 8 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 8 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Suburban model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 GMC Suburban have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1988 GMC Suburban as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 GMC Suburban is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 1.
Has the 1988 GMC Suburban been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
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.