Vehicle recall 96V226000 · November 4, 1996

Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Suburban

The recliner mechanism and the seat frame may have foam and/or vinyl vetween them, creating a "soft" joint.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: The recliner mechanism and the seat frame may have foam and/or vinyl vetween them, creating a "soft" joint. This "soft" joint results in lower than specified bolt torque which leads to joint looseness, causing bolt fatigue and eventual bolt failure.
Consequence: If bolt failure occurs to the driver's seat, it would allow the seat back to suddenly recline, and could result in loss of vehicle control and a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the foam and/or vinyl from between the recliner mechanism and the seat frame "soft" joint and replace the recliner bolts.
Notes: Vehicle description: vans and utility vehicles equipped with bucket seats with know type reclinder mechanisms. Owner notification:owner notification began during November 1996.NOTE: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 please contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC at 1-800-462-8782.ALSO contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 96V226000
Reported to NHTSA: November 4, 1996
Filed by: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Owner notification: November 22, 1996
Vehicles potentially affected: 32,596
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Seats

Recall 96V226000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Chevrolet Suburban (1991): 1991
GMC Suburban (1991): 1991

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