1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500
3GNFK16R8TG160344
Vehicle history report for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 (VIN 3GNFK16R8TG160344). Red. 185,998 mi reported. Registered in Pa. 4 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 1996 Chevrolet Suburban data →
MPG & running costs
Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1996 Chevrolet Suburban costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 3GNFK16R8TG160344
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS A…
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
NHTSA Campaign #06E043000 · 19/05/2006VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, G
NHTSA Campaign #03V159000 · 28/04/2003VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.
NHTSA Campaign #96V057000 · 04/04/1996VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
NHTSA Campaign #98V150001 · 01/07/1998We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 409 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 2 involved a crash 🔥 2 involved a fire
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 409
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban.
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, THE TRAILER BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK AND BLOWING THE TRAILER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HARNESS WAS UNDERSIDE CAUSING O…
NHTSA ODI #10606400SERVICE BRAKES
NOVEMBER 2010, I WENT TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP USING THE PARKING BRAKE, BUT WAS VERY CLOSE TO REAR-ENDING A CARLOAD OF PEOPLE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS MOUNTED AT THE FACTORY TO THE FRONT AXLE ON THIS 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK CAUSING I…
NHTSA ODI #10544573FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE FUEL PUMP OVER HEATED, MELTED, AND DESTROYED THE CONNECTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10538636SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT 35 MPH, THE POSTED SPEED, WE LOST BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKE WAS APPLIED APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP SIGN. WE WERE UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AND PASSED ALL OF THE WAY THROUGH IT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FORTUNATELY…
NHTSA ODI #10424654POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MIL…
NHTSA ODI #10351780SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS SENSORS WERE CORRODED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO DISABLE THE ABS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHT…
Crash · NHTSA ODI #10218347ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1996 SUBURBAN CAUGHT ON FIRE DURING TRANSPORT DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE. *TS *NM
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10175389AIR BAGS
FROM: DAVID B PARKER COMMENTS: IN A CRASH ON 5/27/06 WHERE ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT HIM AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OR SLIGHTLY BELOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG IN MY 1996 CHEVY. SUBURBAN 1500 LT. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, PLEASE ADD THIS TO YOUR DATABASE; IF NOT YOU MAY WANT TO INVESTIGATE OTHER SUCH MODELS. I DO HAVE PHOTOS OF THE…
Crash · NHTSA ODI #10160219+ 401 more complaints on record.
Recently searched vehicles
2011 Kia Sedona
KNDMG4C71B6402302
2003 Toyota Tacoma
5TENL42N83Z217510
2001 Volkswagen Passat
WVWTH63B51P138504
2002 Chrysler Town and Country
2C8GP64L22R575063
2020 Toyota tundra
5TFDY5F13LX892750
2000 Toyota Avalon
4T1BF28BXYU017316
2008 Ford Focus
1FAHP35N18W212909
2008 Subaru Forester
JF1SG63618H715900
Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN 3GNFK16R8TG160344 valid?
3GNFK16R8TG160344 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in Mexico. It decodes to the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban.
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban have any open safety recalls?
Yes — 4 open NHTSA safety recalls are on record for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban. Recall repairs are carried out free by any franchised dealer; see the recall details above.
What fuel economy does the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban at about 14 mpg combined (12 city / 17 highway).
Data last checked 3 Oct 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.