IllustrationTHE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE MADE FROM A SUBSTANDARD METAL THAT HAD BROKEN DOWN AND CRUMBLED. GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THIS FLAW AND DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES THAT THEY PRODUCE WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRES THEM TO DO SO. (TIRESIZE: 16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16 )
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
925–50K
1550–75K
1875–100K
12100–150K
1150K+
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
Power Train complaints
19 reportsTRANSMISSION GEARS WERE RIPPED APART - LIKE METAL FATIGUE. PIECES CRACKED OFF. TRUCK WAS ONLY DRIVEN - NEVER USED FOR TOWING. MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING - NO OFFROADING. TRANSMISSION BROKE UP - MANUFACTURING DEFECT.... (TIRESIZE: 265/75R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 265/75R16 )
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SEVERAL SUSPENSION RELATED PROBLEMS, THE SIDE SHOCK ABSORBER SPLIT CAUSING A RATTLE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BOLTS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES, CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF STEERING WHEEL PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND AFTER THE ALIGNMENT WA…
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THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SEVERAL SUSPENSION RELATED PROBLEMS, THE SIDE SHOCK ABSORBER SPLIT CAUSING A RATTLE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BOLTS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES, CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF STEERING WHEEL PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND AFTER THE ALIGNMENT WAS COMPLETED, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED, THE DEALER LATER FOUND A LEFT FRONT INNER TIE ROD NUT LOOSE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT SO A TIRE ROTATION WAS DONE, ALSO, THE COIL SPRING INSULATORS WERE MISSING CAUSING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING, IT WAS LATER FOUND THAT THE INSULATORS WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS AND THE DEALER CAN NOT FIND A REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM. *SLC
THIS VEHICLE WAS USED AS A PASSENGER VEHICLE, NEVER PULLED ANYTHING MORE THAN A SMALL TRAILER WITH RIDING MOWER, OR DIRT BIKES. IT WAS NOT USED TO PLOW SNOW OR OFF ROAD. IT WAS A LARGE FAMILY SEDAN THAT WAS USED ON THE HIGHWAY DAY IN AND DAY OUT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
VIBRATIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 TO 75) AS WELL AS WANDERING ON HIGHWAY. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT RECREATE. REPLACED VARIABLE SPEED ADJUSTMENT MODULE TWICE WITH SOME IMPROVEMENT.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ONCE. THEY JUST FILLED UP THE BRAKE FLUID. 2ND TIME THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL. THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS AT THE ENGINE.I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING . TOOK IT IN TWO OR THREE TIMES FOR THAT. THEY REPLACED SOME SWITCHES . THEN HAD TO T…
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I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ONCE. THEY JUST FILLED UP THE BRAKE FLUID. 2ND TIME THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL. THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS AT THE ENGINE.I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING . TOOK IT IN TWO OR THREE TIMES FOR THAT. THEY REPLACED SOME SWITCHES . THEN HAD TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED THE REAR AIRCONDITIONER. WE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK TO PULL A 20 FT TRAILER THE TRAILER WEIGHS 4200 LB. THE SUBURBAN HAS A 3.73 DIFFERENTIAL AND THE TRAILERING PKG. PLUS POST TRACTION OR WHATEVER THETY CALL IT NOW! WE WENT ON A VACATION IN NOV. PLANNING ON BEING HOME THE 1ST OF THE YEAR. OUR !ST DIFFERENTIAL BROKE OUTSIDE OF FREDERICK MD. IT WAS REPLACED. UPON TRYING TO RETURN HOME THE 2ND DIFFERENTIAL BROKE! IT WAS REPLACED IN LOUISVILLE KY. CONTINUNING OUR VENTURE HOME. THE 3RD DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT IN MOBILE ALA. THEY GAVE ME A VERY DIFFICULT TIME. TOLD ME IT WAS MY FAULT. I WAS EITHER GOING TOO FAST OF THE TRAILER WAS TOO HEAVY. NEITHER ACUSATIONS WERE TRUE! UPON FINALLY ARRIVING HOME (ALMOST) THE 4TH DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT AND REPLACED. I HAVE LOST ALL FAITH & TRUST IN THIS VECHICLE. AM SCARED TO DEATH TO TAKE IT ON THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND IS 67 YEARS OLD AND HAS DREAMED OF HIS RETIREMENT ALL HIS LIFE. NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH A SUBURBAN WE DON'T DARE TAKE ON THE ROAD FOR FEAR OF IT BREAKING DOWN AGAIN. CHEVROLET REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE GARAGE WE PURCHASED IT FROM HAS BEEN VERY NICE. HOWEVER, THEY ALSO HAVE BEEN NO HELP IN THIS ISSUE! ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE PERTAINING TO CHEVROLET REPLACING MY SUBURBAN WOUYLD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK
DIFFERENTIAL SERVICED, CAUSING REAR END VIBRATION. MJS
WHEN VEHICLE IS ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE DRIVE TRAIN SOUNDS AS IF THE REAR END IS BANGING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION ALSO DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY. DEALER CLAIMS GM IS NOISE BUT INSIST THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM.
Official recalls
203V093000 · 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
1EA99011 · 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.