1990 GMC Suburban Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 41%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the brakes of the 1990 GMC Suburban, 41% of the 22 complaints for this model year. 2 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.
“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 2002-03“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 2001-04“Consumer was leaving a stop light up to 15 MPH. When she hit brakes to avoid hitting another vehicle, the brakes seemed to be resisting with a mushy feeling. There was no support of grabbing, and the vehicle kept moving forward, resulting in a crash, rear ending another vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #817910, filed 1997-10“Consumer can be releasing brake, starting out at approx 5-10 MPH when consumer needs to make sudden stop brakes will not work properly, pushes brake to floor, , takes about a minute before vehicle willstrt to brake.”
NHTSA complaint #817243, filed 1997-10“I believe the Suburban series vehicles have a design defect in the brake system because the rear brake hose(from the body to a connector above the differential) is used as a support for the parking brake cable. The stronger, heavier parking brake cable rubs on the rubber brake hose, causing the rubber hose to fail. The parking brake cable does have a 2inch metal sleeve over it near where the hose and cable rub. However, this sleeve is not located where the natural lay of the hose/cable is. In fact, the sleeve has a rough edge on it, which causes additional wear on the rubber hose. …”
NHTSA complaint #758997, filed 2002-03Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 40% |
| 2002 | 1 | 14% |
| 2000 | 4 | 27% |
| 1999 | 123 | 43% |
| 1998 | 29 | 29% |
| 1997 | 58 | 29% |
| 1996 | 62 | 36% |
| 1995 | 101 | 44% |
| 1994 | 276 | 67% |
| 1993 | 162 | 76% |
| 1992 | 67 | 84% |
| 1991 | 9 | 30% |
| 1990 | 9 | 41% |
| 1989 | 2 | 12% |
| 1987 | 1 | 13% |
| 1984 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1990 GMC Suburban
7 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 GMC 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