1991 GMC Suburban Problems
- Complaints
- 30filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 206,095miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- 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
- 12 mpgcombined, 5.7L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 11 city / 15 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 GMC Suburban (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1991 GMC Suburban. The part named most often is seats, with 11 complaints (37% of the total), followed by brakes (9) and seat belts (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 206,095 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 3 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. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Seats11 37%
- Brakes9 30%
- Seat belts3 10%
- Tires3 10%
- Engine cooling1 3.3%
- Other or unknown1 3.3%
- Body and structure1 3.3%
- Vehicle speed control1 3.3%
Example complaints
Seats: “Had received recall notice 96v226000. Contacted dealer. Took vehicle on date given. Picked vehicle up. Recall work not done. Vehicle in same location. Bolts were never replaced. Original bolts still on seat & still rusty. Seatback had broke.”
NHTSA complaint #849011, filed 1999-09Brakes: “The problem: the speedometer works intermittently, the brake light would come on, and the brakes would lose power. I took it to the dealer to get fixed. The brake light doesn't come on anymore. The dealer has changed all the components on the front and rear brakes. Now the brakes are really mushy and the truck pulls to the right. The dealer changed the speed sensor, but the speedometer doesn't work. My truck has been at the dealer for more than 2 weeks.”
NHTSA complaint #729828, filed 2000-09Seat belts: “Consumer's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle that was traveling at 30 MPH. Passenger's side seat belt came unbolted from the floorboard. As a result, passenger sustained a back injury.”
NHTSA complaint #10061072, filed 2004-03, 206,095 milesTires: “I was driving on the 405 in los angeles at 65 MPH last thursday night at 10 pm. My left rear tire suddenly began to come apart as if the skin was coming off of it. I did not crash but was able to pull over safely onto an exit. The tire appears to be shredding like the ones I have seen on television and in the newspaper, event though it is a different firestone tire. I kept the tire and called firestone, and they said to bring it in. I drive 2 hours a day to work and I can't necessarily afford to replace all four, which I need to now do. …”
NHTSA complaint #732992, filed 2000-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 206,095 and 206,095 miles.
Complaints 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 1991 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 | 12 | $5,600 |
| Suburban V1500 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 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
- 96V226000Nov 4, 1996SeatsCovers: GMC Suburban 1991, Chevrolet Suburban 1991
The recliner mechanism and the seat frame may have foam and/or vinyl vetween 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 1991 GMC Suburban → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1991 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 1991 GMC Suburban have?
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1991 GMC Suburban as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 GMC Suburban is reported most often?
Seats is named most often, in 11 complaints (37% of the total), followed by brakes with 9.
Has the 1991 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 1991 GMC Suburban get?
The EPA rates the 1991 GMC Suburban (Suburban V1500 4WD, 5.7L 8-cyl) at 12 mpg combined, 11 city and 15 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 GMC Suburban reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 206,095 miles and the middle half falls between 206,095 and 206,095 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. 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.