AI Damage1987 GMC Suburban: common problems
Owners of the 1987 GMC Suburban filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 38% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 13% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 13% of all complaints
- 6 Tires 13% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (38% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (13% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 6.2 L · diesel · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 4-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The 1987 gmc suburban, license #bvw 5641was being driven on I-40 at 65 mph. The crash took place just south of the 138 exit, near greensboro.the crash was investigated by trooper glenn m. Powell, master trooper, troop d, district 2, gilford county, north carolina highway patrol, [address], high point, [ZIP].
Baffle has knocked some pieces loose inside fuel tank. Vehicle is not running properly. Please provide any further infomation.
Transmission overheated, causing fluid to spray all over engine manifold & the catalytic converter which resulted in vehicle catching on fire. Vehicle was totaled.
Vehicle's driver's side restraints are inoperative. When the restraint belt is placed into the buckle it comes out.
Suspension; rear leaf spring broke, causing the vehicle sway and lean.
Driving home on freeway approximately 65mph smelled gas, pulled over to see what was happening, by time got out and popped the hood the vehicle was on fire. Fire dept . Said cause of fire was the fuel system, vehicle was totaled.
The regular brakes on the truck do not do well. There is not enough braking there. Please describe. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,896 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Suburban has 76 complaints (24 years in the data). This year has 8, below average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
- Suburban 19845 sources
- Suburban 19853 sources
- Suburban 19864 sources
- Suburban 19888 sources
- Suburban 198917 sources
- Suburban 199022 sources
- Suburban 199130 sources
- Suburban 199280 sources
- Suburban 1993212 sources
- Suburban 1994411 sources
- Suburban 1995227 sources
- Suburban 1996172 sources
- Suburban 1997200 sources
- Suburban 1998100 sources
- Suburban 1999285 sources
- Suburban 200015 sources
- Suburban 20015 sources
- Suburban 20027 sources
- Suburban 20035 sources
- Suburban 99995 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 GMC Suburban?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, powertrain, seat belts. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (25%), knocking, grinding or other noise (13%), overheating, coolant loss (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 GMC Suburban?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 GMC Suburban from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.