The original fuel tank in this vehicle way rusty and leaking. I replaced the original tank with a Dorman model 576-372 fuel tank. This tank included a new fuel pump lock ring, which was used to secure a new fuel pump in the tank prior to installation in the vehicle. The lock rung failed approximately one week after installation allowing the fuel pump to raise up out of the tank. At the next fuel up a large volume of gasoline escaped form the fuel pump opening and spilled. The defective lock ring was replaced with a OEM part and was subsequently discarded.
GMC Suburban fuel pump problems
39 of the 1,768 owner complaints about the GMC Suburban describe fuel pump failure, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 39
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical mileage
- 87,947
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 8Won't start 5Loss of power 4Transmission failure 2Wipers 1
What owners say
Spring of 2008 we replaced the fuel pump. Then in november 2008 the fuel pump failed again. The mechanic said they were both brand new fuel pumps but he was unsure of why they both failed to work properly when we took it back in march 2009. 3 new fuel pumps all within one year sounds like a problem to us. The mechanic also had to replace the harness. Each time when the fuel pump went out the car just wouldn't start. It would drive fine and then just not restart once turned off.
June 2006 the fuel pump stopped working when I was driving on the freeway, I was towed to the garage we normally use for maintenance. They replaced the fuel pump we did not pursue this under the original warranty on the vehicle - big mistake! In january 2009 the fuel gauge stopped working and again we stopped on the freeway and had to be towed. This time it was the fuel gauge. The fuel pump cannot be replaced under warranty as this was just for one year. We were advised to use the trip mileage to fill fuel tank. We have had two failures both at approximately 30mths.
Parked truck near dealership after having trouble starting it, tried to restart, it didn't. Dealer took it in and called to say that fuel pump is shot and they had one in stock to replace it. Then four hours later they said the wires to it were melted and the sending unit needs to be replaced. This is the 5th time to replace fuel pump for this truck in 264,000 miles. First was at 50,000 miles.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 gmc suburban. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and they discovered that the fuel pump sending unit wires were rotted out, which burned out the fuel pump. The fuel pump and sending unit had to be replaced. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 151,000.
Fuel pump failed more than three times, only in the summer. Reason unknown, many similar vehicles have had the same problem. General motors has done nothing.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds on the highway, the engine stalled without warning. After stalling, the vehicle was not easily restarted. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the fuel injector pump needed to be replaced. After the initial replacement, the problem persisted. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the fuel pump needed to be replaced again. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 12/18/2006 - the injector pump which was replaced under recall failed again. *nm the consumer also wanted to recall fixed, however the dealer refused to honor the recall. Recall numbers 96v057000 and 03v159000. Updated 03/21/07.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle had a power failure while driving 5 MPH. The ignition would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer who determined there was an ignition problem. On the second visit, the independent repair shop diagnosed the vehicle with a fuel pump problem. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the service dealer.
Fuel pump/connector failure. Initially engine would shut down intermittently. On last occasion, vehicle engine shut down resulting in loss of power steering, power brakes, etc. Would not restart. Former gm mechanic told me that he witnessed this problem numerous times and found most cases involved failure of electrical connector or ground connection at fuel pump.
Wiring to the electric fuel pump can over heat (and possibly cause a fire) when the fuel pump fails. This would occur when the fuel pump is in a failed (locked) condition while power is applied to the pump. The electrical current draw is higher than the rating of the wiring.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the GMC Suburban fuel pump
Which GMC Suburban years have fuel pump failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (16 complaints), 1999 (7 complaints) and 1996 (6 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used GMC Suburban?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history