1992 GMC Suburban Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe braking problems with the anti-lock system, typically a brake pedal that sinks toward the floor with longer stopping distances, sometimes intermittent and hard for dealers to reproduce. Windshield wipers that quit working, especially in wet or hot conditions, are the next most common theme, and a few complaints mention trailer hitch platform cracking and a transmission fluid fire.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sinks to floor, poor ABS stopping

   • 48 complaints (60%)
   • typically at 4.7 yrs old
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Complaints describe the brake pedal travelling almost to the floor when stopping, with longer stopping distances and, in some cases, the vehicle continuing to roll until the brakes finally catch. Many owners connect the behavior to the anti-lock system, reporting that it engages noisily, pulls the vehicle to one side, or shuts off with the ABS warning light on. Several say dealers could not duplicate the problem, reset the computer, or replaced the master cylinder, vacuum booster or other brake parts without resolving it. Reported across a wide range of mileages, with no clear pattern tied to age or weather; some owners note it on wet or slick pavement and others on dry roads.

   Recall 92V056000

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the master cylinder, brake booster or ABS components were replaced, and test the pedal on a safe empty road at low speed. A recall covers a brake pedal pivot bolt that may not be properly tightened, so confirm that campaign was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Anti-lock brakes fail when in a potential sliding situation (going onto a slick surface, like ice or wet pavement). The ABS actually attempts to work, and then shuts off, leaving only the regular brakes. This has happened multiple times. Each time we have to pay to have something reset, otherwise the lights on the dash , saying there is a brake problem, remain on. We have been told by the dealer (several times) that it doesn't hurt to drive it like this, but the ABS are not working as long as those lights are on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #709068, filed 1999-07

   “I have had brake failure on this vehicle since I bought it. The brakes would lose hold and the vehicle would lurch forward as if it were on ice. I was able to avoid collisions through luck and also by being very aware of the problem and leaving extra space between the vehicle in front of me. Various dealers misdiagnosed this problem several times. First time, front brake job, second time, rear brake adjustment. Third time, they said the pump was bad. Miraculously the warning light came on for the very first time in the dealership. …”

   NHTSA complaint #740355, filed 2001-02
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop or work intermittently

   • 8 complaints (10%)
   • median 146,000 mi at 11.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2003

   Owners describe wipers that fail to turn on, stop at random, or work only when the engine is cold and quit once warm or in wet, humid weather. Some report tapping the wiper motor to get them moving again, and at least one says a neighbor with the same model had the same problem. Complaints note that wipers can quit during heavy rain, reducing visibility. Reported on high-mileage vehicles, often around 146,000 miles, and frequently in wet, humid or hot conditions.

   What to check: Run the wipers through all speeds and the intermittent setting, including after the engine is fully warmed up, and ask whether the wiper motor or wiper switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Windshield wiper motor works only occasionally and usually fails when it is wet or humid. Has happened numerous times in the short time I've had it. Also was a consistant problem on the 89 shevy 1 ton pickup I had before.”

   NHTSA complaint #10005005, filed 2003-01, 146,000 miles

   “While engine cold wipers work. When hot, wipers simply stop and will not restart until engine cold. Last time was in heavy traffic in heavy rain on interstate. Accident avoided by getting off road quickly. Am told recall exists but cannot find same. Thank you”

   NHTSA complaint #706261, filed 1999-05
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake fluid loss and pulling to one side

   • 22 complaints (28%)
   • typically at 3.8 yrs old
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Some complaints describe brake fluid leaking with no obvious source, a low master cylinder level, and the front brakes pulling to the right when the pedal is applied. Owners report replacing front rotors, pads and wheel bearings in response, and in one case the whole brake system. Reported on older, higher-mileage vehicles; complaints do not give a consistent mileage figure.

   Recall 92V056000

   What to check: Check the master cylinder fluid level and look for wet spots around the front wheels, calipers and lines, and ask whether the front brakes and wheel bearings have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In december of 1993, I was involved in a multi-car accident. While I did not create the accident, I did contribute by crashing into the rear of one of the cars. The cause - my brakes simply would not stop the vehicle in a normal amount of time. The ABS system made all kinds of interesting noises. However, the vehicle would not stop similar to other vehicles including my previous Suburban that I had owned and driven. …”

   NHTSA complaint #715621, filed 1999-12

   “The truck has ABS brakes. The master cylinder was replaced and the pedal went to the floor.tt consumer had front and rear brakes replaced in jan 1995, in may of 1995 master cylinder went out, there was no brake control, in july the brakes failed again the pedal went to the floor with no braking control, and then rear adjuster springs were replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #974240, filed 1995-10

Buying note. This model year is old enough that condition and service history matter more than anything else, so go through the brakes carefully and get a pedal-feel test on a safe road. Confirm whether the brake pedal pivot bolt recall and the transmission vent recall were completed, and check the wipers and hitch platform before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 43 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.