1990 GMC Suburban Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 13 mpgcombined, 5.7L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 11 city / 15 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 GMC Suburban (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1990 GMC Suburban. The part named most often is brakes, with 9 complaints (41% of the total), followed by seats (7) and suspension (2). Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seats complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 NHTSA investigation 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.
- Brakes9 41%
- Seats7 32%
- Suspension2 9.1%
- Vehicle speed control2 9.1%
- Electrical system1 4.5%
- Other or unknown1 4.5%
- Tires1 4.5%
- Wheels1 4.5%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Consumer states the metal parking brake cable wears into the rubber brake hose, which could cause failure of the brake hose and the rear brakes, the rubber brake hose was almost worn to the point of failure, the metal parking brake cable does have a metal sleeve on it to protect the rubber hose, but the natural position of the hose and cable causes the sleeve to not line up in the desired position.”
NHTSA complaint #785902, filed 2002-03Seats: “I was involved in a rear end collision where l was sitting still and was then rearended and consequently flew through the air and hit a full size ford pickup. When l was hit the third seat in the Suburban was knocked off the bolts and pushed into the second seat. More severely, the drivers seat (bucket) snapped in half at the point where the back meets the seat. L was severely injured with serious and life long back injuries. L want to know what, if anything, can be done. My Suburban was totaled in the collision and l will have injuries for the rest of my life. …”
NHTSA complaint #710620, filed 1999-08Suspension: “Left rear tire fell off while driving, tire rolled at a high speed onto incoming traffic, vehicle was not able to stop right away and drum was dragged 192 feet, once vehicle stopped it was up on sidewalk, possibly related to lug nut failure, repair included new locks for the lug nuts.”
NHTSA complaint #560749, filed 2001-04Transmission and drivetrain: “We recently purchased this vehicle used from a dealership. I am very disappointed with my first Gmc purchase so far. Within two months of buying this car, I had to replace the entire rear axle. Now, two months later, the transmission went bad and needs to be replaced as well. I dont understand how dealerships can sell these cars with such problems and the manufactures need to address the problems and resolve them. Any info would be greatly appreciated!”
NHTSA complaint #712537, filed 1999-09Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 GMC Suburban version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suburban V1500 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 15 | 13 | $5,150 |
| Suburban V1500 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed manual | 11 | 13 | 12 | $5,600 |
| Suburban V1500 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 19 | 16 | $6,000 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V187000Nov 16, 1993SeatsCovers: GMC Suburban 1989–1990, Chevrolet Astro 1985–1991, GMC Safari 1985–1991 +1 more
The recliner mechanism and the seat frame may have foam and/or vinyl between them, creating a "soft" joint. This "soft" joint results in lower than specified bolt torque which leads to joint looseness, causing bolt fatigue and eventual bolt failure.
- 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.
Recall details for the 1990 GMC Suburban → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 GMC Suburban have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1990 GMC Suburban as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 GMC Suburban is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 9 complaints (41% of the total), followed by seats with 7.
Has the 1990 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.
What gas mileage does the 1990 GMC Suburban get?
The EPA rates the 1990 GMC Suburban (Suburban V1500 4WD, 5.7L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 15 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.