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1998 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 118.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

56 reports with mileage · 145 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

17 reports
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40,195 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE STILL NEED OUR VEHICLE FIXED!!! WE GOT THE RUNAROUND AND WERE DISCOURAGED FROM PURSUING THE PROBLEM AS THE GM & GMPP CUSTOMER SERVICE? EMPLOYEES KEPT TRYING TO BEAT US DOWN SO WE WOULD GIVE UP. GM & GMPP EMPLOYEES HAVE DONE THEIR BEST TO DISCOURAGE US FROM PURCHASING ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. THANK YOU, [XXX] VIN #[XXX] [XXX] 87…

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WE STILL NEED OUR VEHICLE FIXED!!! WE GOT THE RUNAROUND AND WERE DISCOURAGED FROM PURSUING THE PROBLEM AS THE GM & GMPP CUSTOMER SERVICE? EMPLOYEES KEPT TRYING TO BEAT US DOWN SO WE WOULD GIVE UP. GM & GMPP EMPLOYEES HAVE DONE THEIR BEST TO DISCOURAGE US FROM PURCHASING ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. THANK YOU, [XXX] VIN #[XXX] [XXX] 87 TOTAL PROBLEMS NEVER FIXED. SUMMARY OF REPAIRS (CONTINUED) 1)OIL LEAKS14 TIMES, NEVER FIXED 2)ENGINE ROUGH IDLE10 TIMES NEVER FIXED 3)WIND NOISE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW6 TIMES NEVER FIXED 4)COOLING SYSTEM LEAKS\T4 TIMES 5)DOME LIGHT\T4 TIMES 6)STEERING\T4 TIMES NEVER FIXED 7)TAILGATE CARPET\T4 TIMES\EVER FIXED 8)DOOR (LEFT REAR) GLASS RATTLE3 TIMES NEVER FIXED 9)GRAB HANDLES COVER CAPS3 TIMES NEVER FIXED 10)REAR AXLE 3 TIMES 11)SUSPENSION CLUNK (LEFT FRONT)3 TIMES 12)AIR CONDITIONING 2 TIMES 13)BATTERY2 TIMES AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, WAS REPLACED BY A BETTER COSTCO BATTERY 14) DOOR (RIGHT FRONT) GLASS 2 TIMES 15)FUEL FILTER 2 TIMES FIXED FOR NO REASON 16) MIRROR 2 TIMES 17)SIGNAL (RIGHT REAR) 2 TIMES NEVER FIXED 18) SEAT BELT 2 TIMES 19) SEATS 2 TIMES 20) TAILGATE ALIGNMENT2 TIMES 21)TRANSMISSION2 TIMES 22)WINDOW STRUT (REAR)2 TIMES 23)WIPERS2 TIMES 24)ALTERNATOR OUTPUT CABLE1 TIME 25)2 HIGH SWITCHES1 TIME 26)AXLE LEAKS1 TIME 27BRAKE SYSTEM1 TIME 28)DOOR (RIGHT REAR) GLASS CHANNEL\T1 TIME 29)FUEL PUMP\T1 TIME 30) SUN VISOR1 TIME HISTORY MISFIRE (ROUGH IDLE) WARRANTY DISPUTE 1)THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO GUY SCHMIDT SIX (6) TIMES FOR MISFIRE (ROUGH IDLE). 2)THE VEHICLE NEVER HAD DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER CODES PRESENT. 3)BY WORKING, REPLACING PARTS AND BILLING GMPP FOR SERVICES PERFORMED, GUY SCHMIDT CONFIRMED AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MISFIRE (ROUGH IDLE) WAS PRESENT. 4) AFTER SIX (6) TIMES AT GUY SCHMIDT, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO TRY COMMUNITY CHEVROLET SINCE GUY SCHMIDT COULDN'T REPAIR THE PROBLEM AFTER SIX (6) ATTEMPTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10070197

78,000 miles · Nov 29, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

HYDRAULIC VALVE LIFTERS IN 7.4L ENGINE CAME APART UNDER NORMAL DRIVING AT 78,000 MI. OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED REGULARLY SINCE NEW. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10048810

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

CHEVROLET SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSISTENTLY ON IN THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP CAN'T SEEM TO GIVE AN HONEST ANSWER AS TO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041560

32,000 miles · Sep 21, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 32000 MILES - RADIATOR REPLACED AT 54000 - WATER PUMP- DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS REPLACED NOW DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK . *JB

NHTSA ODI #10039261

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLES RECALL! THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED, HE RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE A ONE MONTH AGO RECALL NUMBER#50112290 TO REPLACE FUEL JUMPER HARNESS. THE FIRST DEALER GRAFF CHEVROLET 972 263 2281 1405 EAST MAIN STREET GRAND PRAIRE TX. SECOND DEALERSHIP : VAN CHEVROLET SERVICE…

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THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLES RECALL! THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED, HE RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE A ONE MONTH AGO RECALL NUMBER#50112290 TO REPLACE FUEL JUMPER HARNESS. THE FIRST DEALER GRAFF CHEVROLET 972 263 2281 1405 EAST MAIN STREET GRAND PRAIRE TX. SECOND DEALERSHIP : VAN CHEVROLET SERVICE MANAGER FRANK SOUTH 35E CAROLLTON TX 972 389 6700. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019390

69,000 miles · Feb 20, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE INTAKE GASKET FAILS AFTER ABOUT 4 YEARS OF SERVICE. I AM TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN OF THE GASKETS AND THE EXTENDED LIFE ANTI-FREEZE USED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OF THE GASKET ALLOWS ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX WITH THE OIL WHICH CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IF NOT DETECTED. THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. I PERSON…

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THE INTAKE GASKET FAILS AFTER ABOUT 4 YEARS OF SERVICE. I AM TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN OF THE GASKETS AND THE EXTENDED LIFE ANTI-FREEZE USED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OF THE GASKET ALLOWS ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX WITH THE OIL WHICH CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IF NOT DETECTED. THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF 3 FAILURES OF THIS GASKET. THE ANTI-FREEZE ALSO DEGRADES SOME FITTINGS THAT GO INTO THE INTAKE.

NHTSA ODI #10007839

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

THE FIRST REPORTED ITEM: SHOULDER BELT ANCHORS, 3 OF THE SHOULDER ANCHORS HAVE COME LOSS, THE FIRST CAME COMPLETELY OFF, AFTER NOTICING, I REGULARLY CHECK AND TIGHTEN. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO MECHANICAL LOCKING DEVICE TO KEEP THIS FROM REPEATING. THE SECOND ITEM REPORTED IS THE EXHAUST LEAK. THE DEALER REPEATEDLY HAS FIXED THE…

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THE FIRST REPORTED ITEM: SHOULDER BELT ANCHORS, 3 OF THE SHOULDER ANCHORS HAVE COME LOSS, THE FIRST CAME COMPLETELY OFF, AFTER NOTICING, I REGULARLY CHECK AND TIGHTEN. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO MECHANICAL LOCKING DEVICE TO KEEP THIS FROM REPEATING. THE SECOND ITEM REPORTED IS THE EXHAUST LEAK. THE DEALER REPEATEDLY HAS FIXED THE SAME LEAK, IT FILLS THE VEHICLE WITH FUMES AND IS DANGEROUS. I FINALLY REPLACED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AT MY EXPENSE TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE. THE FAILED COMPONENT WAS ALWAYS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO "Y" PIPE GASKETS. THE THIRD COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTEROUS, THE THROTTLE CABLE FAILED LEAVING THE VEHICLE STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #755434

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

3 FUEL INJECTORS FAILED (#1, #7 AND #8). NLM

NHTSA ODI #560211

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

WIRES KEEP GETTING CUT BY THE CAR HARNESS, WHY ARE THE WIRES LOCATED IN THE HARNESS? THIS IS GETTING DANGEROUS DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS IS A HAZARD. THE FUEL LINE / PUMP HAS NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY, AND WHO EVER HEARD OF A TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AT 50,000 MILES. PLEASE NOTE I HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING WITH THIS CAR AND I A…

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WIRES KEEP GETTING CUT BY THE CAR HARNESS, WHY ARE THE WIRES LOCATED IN THE HARNESS? THIS IS GETTING DANGEROUS DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS IS A HAZARD. THE FUEL LINE / PUMP HAS NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY, AND WHO EVER HEARD OF A TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AT 50,000 MILES. PLEASE NOTE I HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING WITH THIS CAR AND I AM A VERY CAREFUL FEMALE DRIVER WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENTS OR SPEEDING TICKETS, OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES, ALL HIGHWAY DRIVING. PLEASE HELP! THIS CAR IS A DISASTER AND A HAZARD. THE LEAKING FUEL LINE COULD HAVE KILLED ME, NO BRAKE LIGHTS...OBVIOUS ISSUE. THANK YOU! LIZ ZIMMER.

NHTSA ODI #738749

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #734040

Official recalls

2

03V093000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

98V033000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

Feb 17, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OR BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTOR/HUBS WERE BUILT WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION GRAY IRON THAT CAN FAIL DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A DRIVER CONTINUES TO DRIVE WITH A CRACKED ROTOR, THE CRACKS COULD CONTINUE AROUND THE WHEEL MOUNTING BOLT CIRCLE AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA99011 · Erratic Power Steering Assist While Driv

Opened May 12, 1999 · Closed Feb 27, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS INVESTIGATED ALLEGATIONS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR DETAILS AND A BASIS FOR THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS, PLEASE SEE THE CLOSING REPORT IN THE EA99-011 PUBLIC FILE.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.FUTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS SUBJECT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ENGINEERING IS CLOSED.