1985 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."

1985 Gmc Suburban

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Common 1985 Gmc Suburban problems

The 1985 GMC Suburban, as a part of the 7th generation, ranks 2nd in reliability out of 80 generations, with most complaints being about engine problems. While there are not many specific issues listed for the 1985 model year, some common problems with the GMC Suburban and other GM trucks of similar generations can provide insight into potential issues that may arise.

  • Excessive Oil Consumption: This issue is common in GM trucks, including the GMC Suburban, from the late 1990s to the 2010s. The problem is often attributed to the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, which disables some of the engine's cylinders at lower RPMs to reduce fuel use. This system can lead to excessive oil consumption, as much as a quart every 1,000 miles, and may start around the 60,000-mile mark.
  • Defective Speakers: Another common issue in GM trucks is the failure of speakers, especially those in the door. The speakers may quit working one at a time over several months, affecting recent Chevy Silverados and GMC Sierras.
  • Alternator Failure: In older Sierras and Silverados, the alternator may eventually fail, causing the battery to die and possibly an abnormal noise to occur. This problem typically occurs around 125,000 miles and may or may not cause a dash warning light to come on. Replacing the alternator typically costs around $300 to $400.
  • Transmission Troubles: While not as common as other issues, problems involving the transmission can hamper the SUV's road performance and increase the risk of a car accident by making it harder or even impossible to switch gears. Issues like hesitation, vibration, and jerking, as well as the transmission switching to 4WD without warning, have been reported in 2015 and 2016 GMC Yukons.
  • Air Conditioning and Heating System Issues: The HVAC system in the GMC Suburban plays a crucial role in maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the cabin. However, air conditioning-related issues have been reported in several units of the 2015 GMC Yukon, with many owners complaining that the A/C failed to cool the air it blew into the cabin. The 2016 and 2017 model years are also prone to developing problems with their A/C. Condenser failure, broken lines, leaky compressor lines, and faulty compressors are some of the possible reasons for a malfunctioning A/C.

These issues are not exclusive to the 1985 GMC Suburban but are common problems reported by owners of similar GM trucks. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent or address these issues, ensuring the longevity and reliability of the vehicle.

1985 Gmc Suburban engine

1985 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:

  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Trailer hitches problems
  • Seats problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Gmc Suburban vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1985 Gmc Suburban complaints

The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Gmc Suburban.

2004-01-05

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-08-03
  • Fire: 1
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF ENGINE TROUBLE.*MR CONSUMER MERGED OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, FLAMES THEM ENGULFED THE VEHICLE. *PH *NM
1995-09-06

TRAILER HITCHES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-04-12
  • VIN: 1G5EC16L0FF
  • Components: TRAILER HITCHES
  • Summary: HITCH PLATE FORM CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING, BOLTS CAME THROUGH THE FRAME. TT
1995-07-11

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-05-02
  • VIN: 1G8GC26W6FF
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: THE FRONT BRAKES PREMATURELY LOCKED UP. *AK
1995-07-11

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1987-05-01
  • VIN: 1G8GC26W6FF
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: WELDS ON THE 3RD SEAT FRAME BROKE. *AK
1995-07-11

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1987-05-01
  • VIN: 1G8GC26W6FF
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: MINIM AL WEAR OFFRONT BRAKE PADS. *AK
1995-07-11

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1987-07-30
  • VIN: 1G8GC26W6FF
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: REPAIRED REAR PROPORTIONAL VALVE. *AK
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