Chevy Suburban Rollovers

One of GM's most popular full-size SUVs, the Chevrolet Suburban debuted back in 1936. The Suburban is essentially a longer version of the Tahoe, with a 14-inch longer wheelbase and an overall length that, at 222.4 inches, stretches some 20 inches longer than a Tahoe.

The 2007 Chevy Suburban earned a 3-star rollover rating and a 23% chance of rollover during testing by the NHTSA.

The Chevy Suburban, much like other SUVS, is built with a narrow wheelbase and high center of gravity. These are both contributing factors in a rollover accident. In circumstances where an SUV must make evasive maneuvers, their design makes them harder to control and often results in one car rollover accidents.

GMC SUV Number of Rollover Deaths: October 3, 2000

The Insurance Institute has compiled the number of GMC rollover deaths for Highway Safety using federal data for 1995 to 1997 in deaths per million vehicles registered.

• Chevrolet Suburban 1500 4-door had 44 all deaths/ 22 rollover deaths

USA Today - Predicted rollover probabilities, Model year 2000 vehicles: 14%–17.9% Chevrolet Suburban

The leading cause of death in SUV accidents is rollovers. Because of the speed involved in the accidents, untested environments, such as uneven or slick surfaces and the actual design of the vehicles themselves, crash and rollover tests do not meet real world circumstances. The current standards are simply not enough to replicate what happens on the highways that we drive on.

Faulty design is a leading contributor to rollover accidents, some even single car accidents. Here's a list of some safety issues that are common with SUVs, trucks and vans:

• Weak roof structure - does not prevent roof crush - allows driver/passenger ejection
• High center of gravity
• Faulty Seat Belts
• Seat back failures
• Narrow wheelbase
• Top heavy design with high center of gravity
• Weak window glass that allows driver/passenger ejection

GMC recalls 1.38 million light trucks and SUVs.
January 23, 2001 U.S. regulators recalled 1.38 million GMC light trucks and SUVs because of brake system component problems. The auto defect warned of close clearance between the front right hand brake pipe and the vehicle frame. If they make contact and the brake pip is damaged, a loss of brake fluid and pressure will result. Included in the auto defect recalls are Chevrolet Silverados, Chevrolet Tahoes, Chevrolet Suburbans, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and GMC Sierras.

GM hasn't done enough to prevent Chevy Suburban Rollovers. If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury or death due to a rollover, contact us using the link below.