1996 GMC Suburban Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 5%of 172 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 GMC Suburban, 5% of the 172 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 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.
“We have a 1996 6.5 turbo diesel Gmc Suburban. We had severe stalling problems. The dealer replaced the fuel pump at their cost and installed at our cost, new glow plugs, glow plug sensor, battery, and battery cables suspected to be the problem. It continued to stall. We returned to the dealer and they replaced the pump again at their cost, but we had to pay to drop the tank to check for contamination. There was a deteriorated screen we paid to replace. It still stalled. Only this time it stalled when I was going 50 MPH and approaching curves along the river. …”
NHTSA complaint #10052489, filed 2004-01, 87,947 miles“On the Gmc 6.5 the pmd, or pump mounted driver fails due to heat failure, also failing for no reason in 8 degree temperatures. When it fails there are no signs, warnings just stalling the power steering, power brakes gone. Now put yourself on a 2 mile hill of an insane descent, and yourself behind the steering wheel what would you do? This is insanity that the dealership will only help you if there is less than 100,000 miles on your car, and then all they do is replace the pump, when the pump isn't the problem its the pump mounted driver. …”
NHTSA complaint #10182187, filed 2007-02, 197,446 miles“I have two Gmc vehicles with the same engine, a gas 5.7l v8, that required intake manifold gasket replacement within one month of each other. The first vehicle is a 1996 1500 Suburban with 90,000 miles. The other is a 1998 k1500 pickup with 80,000 miles. Both leaks occurred at the rear of the bottom intake manifold. The mechanic performing the repair states this is a very common problem with his shop performing approximately 5-6 a month in a town of only 30,000. The dealer denies any generic problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10060514, filed 2004-03, 90,000 miles“While driving the engine dies. When taken to a chevrolet dealership the fuel injection pump was found to be faulty. Gm dealers have not been able to diagnose what the problem is. The truck has been brought to the GM dealer 4 times.”
NHTSA complaint #836142, filed 1999-06“The engine cuts off while going at any speed/ an any occasion, and in any weather. Reduced fuel consumption efficiency. Dealer can't duplicate problem, cause unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #835442, filed 1999-03Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10139019May 3, 2013This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on High Oil Pressure on Startup After Engine Replacement Concern.
- 10014959Mar 1, 2005Replacement of connector when replacing fuel tank module/fuel pump module.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 20% |
| 2000 | 2 | 13% |
| 1999 | 23 | 8% |
| 1998 | 5 | 5% |
| 1997 | 20 | 10% |
| 1996 | 8 | 5% |
| 1995 | 7 | 3% |
| 1994 | 9 | 2% |
| 1993 | 6 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 3% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 2 | 12% |
| 1988 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1996 GMC Suburban
62 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsTires
18 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 GMC Suburban
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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