1994 GMC Suburban Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the brakes, particularly the anti-lock system: complaints describe the pedal going to the floor, a grab-release feel, and longer stopping distances, sometimes in normal dry-road driving. A second common theme is windshield wipers that work intermittently or quit, often in rain or snow. Most reports come on vehicles well past 70,000 miles, with many in the 100,000-plus range.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes to the floor / poor ABS stopping

   • 225 complaints (55%)
   • median 98,500 mi at 10.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 59 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor when the brakes are applied, sometimes during a normal stop and sometimes in a hard stop at 30-40 mph. Several owners mention a grab-then-release feel, grinding or vibration, and the vehicle continuing to roll further than expected. Dealers reportedly told some owners the behavior was normal, found no fault on a scan, or replaced parts such as the master cylinder, rotors and calipers without resolving it. Reported across many mileage ranges, including vehicles well past 100,000 miles; complaints describe it happening on both wet and dry pavement, often during routine or emergency stops.

   Recall 99V025000

   What to check: Ask for service records on the brake system and test the pedal feel on a long, safe stop, noting any sinking or grab-release. Have a shop inspect the ABS function, brake lines and hydraulic components before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This condition is very serious when you are in need of your brakes the most they completly fail with no indication under normal brake use. Please contact me for any usefull discription on what happened. I am a certified mechanic and have been trained in anti-lock brake service .”

   NHTSA complaint #711112, filed 2000-04

   “When applying the brakes in an emergency, brakes grabbed and completely let go, causing driver to crash into vehicle ahead. This happened on a smooth road surface, and no inclement weather. Dealership and manufacturer were notified about the problem. Damages to the vehicle were repaired. Nothing was done to the ABS.”

   NHTSA complaint #861718, filed 2000-05
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers quit or work intermittently

   • 62 complaints (15%)
   • median 87,500 mi at 10.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Owners report wipers that stop mid-cycle, come on and off on their own, or fail entirely, often during rain or snow. Several mention the motor making an odd noise before stopping, or having to help the wipers by hand. Complaints frequently say the dealer checked the VIN and stated the vehicle was not covered by the wiper-motor recall, leaving owners to pay for the repair themselves. Reported from low mileage up past 130,000 miles, typically in wet or snowy weather when wipers are needed.

   Recall 03V159000Recall 98V150001

   What to check: Run the wipers through all speeds and the intermittent setting, and ask whether the wiper motor recall work was performed for this VIN. Check the wiper controller board and the seal near the motor for signs of water intrusion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The windshield wipers worked after being manually helped since the time of purchase, but no longer. When I contacted Gmc, they told me the current recall did not apply to my vehicle. I have purchased the circuit board myself and will now need to have someone install it. Recall needs to include additional VIN #'s. I was told by the Gmc toll free number that it was not a safety issue, sorry.”

   NHTSA complaint #10160030, filed 2006-06, 18,000 miles

   “The wipers on my vehicle have failed to operate 3 times since I have owned the vehicle. All three times were during a storm. Two rain storms and this last was a snow storm. The wiper motor make an odd noise when they stop working.”

   NHTSA complaint #10014276, filed 2003-04, 150,000 miles
3. 3
   Seats

   Front seat frame or anchor breaks

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the driver's seat frame or anchor breaking, leaving the seat loose and rocking backward when accelerating or stopping. Owners say the seat had to be held steady by the steering wheel, and that repairs or replacements were done repeatedly on some vehicles with the problem returning. One owner reported being told the manufacturer could not repair or replace the part. Reported from about 74,000 miles upward, on seats that had often already been repaired or replaced.

   What to check: Push and rock the driver and passenger seats firmly to feel for movement at the frame and track, and look for cracked or repaired bracing under the seat.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I got into the Suburban to go to the store this morning, when I sat and reached to place the belt into the holder, the chair anchor snapped and I began having problems whenever stopping or accelerating. This problem leads me to believe that I may have a problem in the future whenever I need to brake fast or upon moving after being stopped as the seat rocks backwards. Now I have contacted the manufacture as to recall with no assist. I believe this to be a hazard in the seat itself. Thank you. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10006383, filed 2001-01, 74,350 miles

   “Front brace bar under the electric seat that stabilizes to the roller tracks is broken near the left roller which allows the seat to propel backwards upon any additional acceleration. Have to hold the steering wheel to counter bouncing. Manufacturer contacted and cannot repair or replace.”

   NHTSA complaint #827564, filed 1998-09

Buying note. Have any used example inspected for brake behavior, wiper operation and seat frame condition before buying, since those are the areas owners write about most. Service records showing brake and wiper work, plus a check of open recalls for the VIN, are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.