1991 Chevrolet Suburban: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1991 Chevrolet Suburban: 3 recalls, 52 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.

Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #93V016000 · 1993 · 1,702,880 vehicles
What's wrong: Unanticipated heat in the transmission can force the transmission fluid out of the vent tube.
Why it matters: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #93V119000 · 1993 · 341,364 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Seats Vehicle recall #96V226000 · 1996 · 32,596 vehicles
What's wrong: The recliner mechanism and the seat frame May have foam and/or vinyl vetween 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.
Why it matters: If bolt failure occurs to the driver's seat, it would allow the seat back to suddenly recline, and could result in loss of vehicle control 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Equipment recall #06E043000 · 2006 · 88,303 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from October 18, 2005, through March 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The…
Why it matters: This condition May cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
The fix: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seats (12): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (11): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (2), noise or vibration (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (9): the most common themes are leaks (2), hard / delayed shifting (2).
- Tires (7): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (7).
The 1991 Chevrolet Suburban has 52 owner complaints, ranking #32 of 35 Suburban model years for complaints (well below the 229 average). Complaints peaked in 1996 (10 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 106,744 miles. Neighboring years: 1990 (54 complaints, 3 recalls), 1992 (189 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Diesel |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 12 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1991 Chevrolet Suburban.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1991 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1991 Chevrolet Suburban, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1991 Chevrolet Suburban problems?
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seats (12), brakes (hydraulic) (11), transmission & drivetrain (9).
What gas mileage does the 1991 Chevrolet Suburban get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (6.2 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1991 Chevrolet Suburban repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.