1983 Gmc Suburban problems

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The Chevrolet Suburban is a series of SUVs built by Chevrolet since the 1935 model year. The longest-used automobile nameplate in the world, the Chevrolet Suburban is currently in its twelfth generation, introduced for 2021. Beginning life as one of the first metal-bodied station wagons, the Suburban is the progenitor of the modern full-size SUV, combining a wagon-style body with the chassis and powertrain of a pickup truck. Alongside its Advance Design, Task Force, and C/K predecessors, the Chevrolet Silverado currently shares chassis and mechanical commonality with the Suburban and other trucks.

Traditionally one of the most profitable vehicles sold by General Motors, the Suburban has been marketed through both Chevrolet and GMC for nearly its entire production. Along sharing the Suburban name with Chevrolet, GMC has used several nameplates for the model line; since 2000, the division has marketed it as the GMC Yukon XL. Since 2003, Cadillac has marketed the Suburban as the Cadillac Escalade ESV. During the 1990s, GM Australia marketed right-hand drive Suburbans under the Holden brand.

.The Suburban is sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Chile, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Peru, Philippines, and the Middle East (except Israel), while the Yukon XL is sold only in North America (exclusive to the United States, Canada, and Mexico) and the Middle East territories (except Israel).

A 2018 iSeeCars.com study identified the Chevrolet Suburban as the car that is driven the most each year. A 2019 iSeeCars.com study named the Chevrolet Suburban the second-ranked longest-lasting vehicle. In December 2019, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce unveiled a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the Suburban, noting that the Suburban had been in "1,750 films and TV shows since 1952."

1983 Gmc Suburban

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Common 1983 Gmc Suburban problems

The 1983 GMC Suburban is known for several common problems based on complaints from owners of this car. One of the most significant issues is the weak, stiff, and fade-prone brakes, which can be nerve-wracking for drivers. The 1983 Suburban has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, which are usually the most nerve-wracking aspect of driving an old car or truck. However, the Suburban's brakes are uncharacteristically strong, sloughing off freeway speeds with little issue, making braking at the bottom of the list of concerns for regular operation.

Another common problem with the 1983 GMC Suburban is the lack of functioning dash lights, which can make actual velocity a vague estimation based on traffic flow. A GPS speedo app on a phone can be helpful, but only for brief bursts, as navigation still relies on Google Maps. Additionally, a wonky and wildly misaligned front headlight can slow down the driver to around 60 mph during stretches of unlit road, making driving the GMC behemoth surprisingly low-stress despite fighting poor forward vision and the nagging threat of broken gauges.

The 1983 GMC Suburban's slow, light steering with a laughable level of play makes plodding along the freeway a one-finger affair, in contrast to the trio of modern Suburban/Yukon/Escalades that drive more like massive minivans than they do Silverados. The 1983 Suburban rides and drives like someone welded a metal shell to a 1983 Chevy truck with an extended bed and bolted in a third row, with copious body-on-frame judder over bumps and through tighter corners.

The 1983 GMC Suburban's HVAC system keeps the temperature in the cabin at a comfortable level. Given the spacious interior of the GMC Suburban, its cabin can get very unpleasant if the A/C stops working properly. Unfortunately, air conditioning-related issues affect several units of the 1983 GMC Suburban. Many owners have complained that the A/C failed to cool the air it blew into the cabin. The most likely suspect behind a malfunctioning A/C is condenser failure. A fractured or leaking condenser can stop the A/C from cooling the air meant for the interior. Other possible reasons for the bad A/C include broken lines, leaky compressor lines, and faulty compressors.

Even if the actual A/C runs fine, other problems with the GMC Suburban HVAC system can make driving the SUV uncomfortable. A bad recirculation feature lets unpleasant smells from outside the vehicle enter the cabin. The heater can also turn on and off without warning, which can make driving through hot days difficult.

In summary, the 1983 GMC Suburban has several common problems, including weak, stiff, and fade-prone brakes, lack of functioning dash lights, a wonky and wildly misaligned front headlight, slow, light steering with a laughable level of play, and HVAC system issues. These problems can make driving the 1983 GMC Suburban a challenging experience, but with proper maintenance and repairs, these issues can be mitigated.

1983 Gmc Suburban engine

1983 Gmc Suburban car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Gmc Suburban problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Unknown or other problems
  • Fuel system problems
  • Gasoline problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1983 Gmc Suburban vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1983 Gmc Suburban complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1983 Gmc Suburban.

1999-11-26

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1G5GC26W7DF
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: PAINT PEELING AND FAILING
1999-03-24

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-05-03
  • Number Of Injuries: 2
  • Number Of Deaths: 1
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: 1G53C16L6CF
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: GAS TANK EXPLODED UPON REAR IMPACT, RESULTING IN DEATH AND INJURIES.
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