1991 Chevrolet Suburban Silverado 2500 from North America - Comments

Starter continues to fail.

A/C fails every year (both units). This vehicle also uses R-12 A/C freon which is harder to get.

Power locks, windows all fail eventually.

Back power tailgate window is under-built, fails every couple of years.

Latches for rear tailgate are hard to release.

Alternator has failed at least twice.

It has overheated before.

There is a very annoying exhaust leak that seems to be irreparable.

Headliner had to be redone.

Seat belts are troublesome.

Cruise control "leaks."

We do take grand care of our cars. We love them and consider them to be part of the family because they serve us daily. We do not drive the Suburban daily and it sits in a sheltered area when not used, so it's not as if it's being abused.

This is a very misleading vehicle because one would think that it rides like a dream because of its size when in fact it rides like crap. It doesn't handle well at all, especially in wet weather, and even though it has the huge engine, it accelerates slowly and gets dismal fuel economy (8-14 MPG). The seats are also shaped badly and do not "sleep" well on long trips. However, it does tow extremely well and we don't seem to encounter as many problems when we tow things with it.

Wow. yours has the 454 in it, and mine has the 350. mine accelerates fairly well. I don't have to push the gas pedal very hard to speed up or pass someone. i also get an average of 16 mpg

Our first Suburban had the 350 and it was much more responsive than our second one with the 454. Also, the 350 seemed to be more reliable and was much more fuel-efficient.

I just got a 1991 suburban, it cannot passed safety check for many resons. the main problem is the former owner changed the starter switch to a press button separately replacing using key. I donot know who can tell me how to shift it back. thanks in advance. Jim.

1991 Suburban, 350, 4x4, 151,000 miles:

So far this is my list of things that need to be replaced/fixed.

Mechanicals: A/C heat compressor, water pump, possibly the starter, ignition (plugs, wires, etc), and brake system. The ignition is making this thing run like crap, and water pump chirps. A/C compressor grinds like crazy.

Past issues: Alternator, headgaskets.

Exterior: Right front fender blinker light, right front wheelwell trim, most of lower trim, and running boards.

Past issues: Blown rear tail lights.

Interior: Passenger front and rear upper chrome door trim, cloth on driver's seat, lower chrome trim on driver's door, light relay on front passenger door, driver side rear door window seal, as well as the front passenger, driver door window motor, and slowly, but surely the passenger's as well, headliner, dashboard, dashboard lights, and 3rd row seat stitching.

Past issues: Both rear window motors, driver's door lock button (WD-40), driver side rear door locking mechanism (WD-40)

Almost all of these things are due to age, but overall the truck has held up very well mechanical wise, especially for towing trailers and living the mountain life for the past 10 years. I'm surprised I haven't had any problems with the transmission, however, because of the extensive amount of towing this rig has done.

I'm not sure if I should go ahead and fix all these things, or just let it go.

I have a 1991 V-1500 Suburban, 185k miles, 4x4, 5.7l engine with 3.73 diff gears. This has been a great vehicle. It has been fun on the beach, desert and mountains. It runs fine even full of people/gear but is not so good at towing; I assume because of the 3.73 gears. The kids have loved the family trips in it.

My mileage is 13mpg city and 18 mpg highway. I did take a trip across Texas at 60 mph and got 22mpg! Amazing how much gas it drains to travel at 70-75mph.

It doesn't have a smooth ride... but it is a big 4x4.

My problems have been front brakes - pads wear quickly; and suspension. My left rear springs were 're-arched' twice by GM under warranty but obviously were defective and needed replacement. I converted the A/C to the new refrigerant but it cools poorly.

Overall a great machine. Two of my teenagers have had wrecks with the only damage to my Sub being trim on the bumper. A thief stole it and backed into a store to steal an ATM machine. Destroyed the building but only scratched my paint job. Police recovered and we still drive it daily.

The latest and perhaps killer problem...$4 gas!

Yeah they're definitely built to last. I'm 19 and own a 1985 Suburban C-20 (2500) 2WD. Sadly due to the disgusting price of gas my beast is benched right now.

Other than a slight hesitation when taking off, it has pretty good power and torque with the 5.7 litre engine, and as far as MPG's I was averaging somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-13 MPG.

When I move to a 99' Mercury Grand Marquis, I will still keep my Suburban and will never buy Japanese worthless trash, no matter what gas reaches!