The 1988 Chevrolet Suburban has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,044,521 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the tires. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC93V1190001993-08-02341,364 affected
Defect
SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
Consequence
SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.
POWER TRAIN93V0160001993-02-011,702,880 affected
Defect
UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.
Consequence
THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy
INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.
SEAT BELTS89V0100001989-01-30277 affected
Defect
DRIVERS SEAT AND/OR SHOULDER BELT LOCKING MECHANISM MAY NOT OPERATE.
Consequence
IN A CRASH, AFFECTED BELTS WOULD NOT LOCK, THEREBYINCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy
INSTALL A NEW DRIVERS SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.
Complaints by component
TIRES
6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
SEATS
2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
2
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
2
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
2
1crashes4injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
Total complaints35
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Bridgestone tire rupture: ply separation, on freeway, no warning, at 35000 miles with lots of treadlife remaining. I can provide photos of damaged tire on request. All plies of tire completely separated, they were never bonded together properly. Tire is bridgestone m773 swp ii, size 235-85-16.”
“It was noticed that the p/s gearbox was separating from its mount on the vehicle frame as the steering wheel was moved. The steering became looser. It was discovered that the u-channel frame was cracked out in the areas of 3 of the 4 power steering gearbox mounts. These cracks had to be welded. A…”
“I purchased four premium bridgestone tires ($168 each). Two of these have now failed prematurely due to catastrophic tread separation. The first was at 29,000 miles, the second at 32,000 miles. Both still had plenty of tread depth remaining. I believe that my safety is at risk with the two…”
“Purchased four bridgestone r273 swp premium tires in 2001 ($168 each) from bridgestone dealer. Vehicle is 1988 chevrolet suburban, used for on-road use only. Vehicle is garaged daily, only driven ~5000 miles per year. Tire size is 235-85r16e. Total mileage on tires is 29,000 miles. Estimated…”
“Dt*: the contact stated while sitting in the vehicle the driver's seat bolt fractured causing the seat to fall backward. An independent repair shop replaced the bolt.”
“Dt contact states he purchased a set of general tires, one of the tires developed a huge flat spot after 7,000 miles of driving. The manufacturer stated the flat spot was not covered in the warranty. The contact states every time the wheel is turned there is vibration. The tires are regularly…”
“Single bolt that attaches seat back to seat base failed, causing seat back to fall back leaving me looking at the ceiling. I was stopped when this happened. Had I been driving their would certainly been a loss of control and serious injury or deaths could have resulted. The design of this seat is…”
“Firestone, fr480, p235/75r15 dot vnh, replacement tires with 20000 miles on a 1988, chevrolet, suburban. While driving 30-35 mph right rear tire developed a split near tread line of tire. On july 3 2001 while driving 30-35 mph , right front tire developed a split near tread of tire. No…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Chevrolet Suburban as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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