- The problem
- The recliner mechanism and the seat frame may have foam and/or vinyl between 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.
- The risk
- If bolt failure occurs to the driver's seat, it wouldallow the seat back to suddenly recline, and could result in loss of vehiclecontrol and a vehicle crash without prior warning.
- The fix
- Dealers will remove the foam and/or vinyl from between the recliner mechanism and the seat frame "soft" joint and replace the recliner bolts.
Vehicle safety record
1990 GMC Suburban Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1990 GMC Suburban have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in November 1993 for the seats.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Suburban year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1990 GMC Suburban recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Unanticipated heat in the transmission can force the transmission fluid out of the vent tube.
- The risk
- The vented transmission fluid can catch fire if exposedto a source of ignition.
- The fix
- Install a longer transmission vent hose routed to the left side of the engine compartment of the vehicle.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1990 GMC Suburban yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
GMC Suburban: every year compared
All Suburban years1990 GMC Suburban vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 GMC Suburban | 0 | 2 | C | |
| 1990 GMC 1500 | 8 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1990 GMC C1500 | 7 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 1990 GMC C2500 | 5 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1990 GMC C Series(light) | 3 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1990 GMC C15 | 2 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1990 GMC C Series | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1990 GMC Suburban
Does the 1990 GMC Suburban have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1990 GMC Suburban: seats (November 1993); automatic transmission (February 1993). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1990 GMC Suburban had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1990 GMC Suburban a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical GMC Suburban year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 1990 GMC Suburban has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data