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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 →
201Owner complaints

Model-year median: 118

2Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
457
1995360
1996414
1997201
1998634
1999282
2000440
2001
Compare all Suburban years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
57Visibility
48Steering
21Power Train
19Engine And Engine Cooling
17
All reported categories
Electrical System
14Suspension
14Tires
14Fuel System, Gasoline
11Equipment
5Exterior Lighting
5Latches/locks/linkages
5Seat Belts
5Air Bags
4Service Brakes, Air
4Structure
4Seats
3Wheels
3Service Brakes
2Unknown Or Other
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Child Seat
1Trailer Hitches
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

57 reports
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75,600 miles · Feb 19, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEEDS .IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHERE STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED A CRASH COULD OCCUR..THIS IS A FOR REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND IS DOCUMENTED IN NHTS ITEM NUMBER 10000062. NOTICED ON THE INTERNET SOMEONE POSTED IN ONTARIO CANADA THERE IS A GM RECALL FOR THE SPEED S…

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THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEEDS .IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHERE STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED A CRASH COULD OCCUR..THIS IS A FOR REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND IS DOCUMENTED IN NHTS ITEM NUMBER 10000062. NOTICED ON THE INTERNET SOMEONE POSTED IN ONTARIO CANADA THERE IS A GM RECALL FOR THE SPEED SENSORS AND CORROSION.. I CAN NOT BELIEVE A ISSUE INVOLVING BRAKES IS NOT ON A RECALL..... I ASKED A SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING AND HE QUOTED THE SPEED SENSOR RIGHT AWAY...COME ON GM KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM....GOING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO GM NEXT WEEK AND ASK TO TALK TO THE ZONE MANAGER . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111813

27,000 miles · Oct 11, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I OWN A 1998 CHEVY SUBURBAN 2200 4WD. ON 7/10/00, AT 13.000 MI THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AND REAR SHOES WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. ON 9/13/00 AT 15,000 MI THE FRONT DISC PADS, MASTER CYLINDER PROPORTION VALVE AND CALIPER BRAKE HOSES WERE REPLACED PER SERVICE BULLETIN. ON 8/21/03 AT 22,500 MI I HAD THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS…

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I OWN A 1998 CHEVY SUBURBAN 2200 4WD. ON 7/10/00, AT 13.000 MI THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AND REAR SHOES WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. ON 9/13/00 AT 15,000 MI THE FRONT DISC PADS, MASTER CYLINDER PROPORTION VALVE AND CALIPER BRAKE HOSES WERE REPLACED PER SERVICE BULLETIN. ON 8/21/03 AT 22,500 MI I HAD THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED WITH FACTORY OEM PARTS. ON 10/11/04 AT 27,00 MI I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT ROTORS CUT BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING OF THE ROTORS. ROTORS DISPLAYED HOT SPOTS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT RECURRING PROBLEM/DEFECT WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10095565

45,148 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE SECOND TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AT 85,939 THOUSAND MILES, OUT OF WARRANTY. IS IT NORMAL FOR TWO TRANMISSIONS TO FAIL AT RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. I DON'T THINK SO. MY SUBURBAN IS IN FANTASTIC CONDITION. IT IS EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT LIKE NEW. NOW I HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER 2000 $ ON TOP OF JUST HAVING THE B…

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THE SECOND TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AT 85,939 THOUSAND MILES, OUT OF WARRANTY. IS IT NORMAL FOR TWO TRANMISSIONS TO FAIL AT RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. I DON'T THINK SO. MY SUBURBAN IS IN FANTASTIC CONDITION. IT IS EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT LIKE NEW. NOW I HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER 2000 $ ON TOP OF JUST HAVING THE BRAKES DONE??

NHTSA ODI #10068996

100,000 miles · Sep 12, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE WIPERS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AT TIMES, THE BRAKES WERE SOFT, THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE FOUND LEAKING, AND THE SHOES CRACKED. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED, AND THE TAIL SHAFT SEAL WAS R…

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WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE WIPERS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AT TIMES, THE BRAKES WERE SOFT, THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE FOUND LEAKING, AND THE SHOES CRACKED. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED, AND THE TAIL SHAFT SEAL WAS REPLACED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10034437

40,000 miles · Jul 26, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

1998 SUBURBAN K1500 = REPETITIVE PROBLEMS WITH REAR BRAKES NOT SELF ADJUSTING, REPLACED BRAKE SHOES TWICE, REPLACED SPRINGS AND ALL HARDWARE ONCE (SINCE 2000) WITH NO AVAIL. REAR BRAKES DON'T WORK WELL, FRONT BRAKES NEED TO STOP VEHICLE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE TO KICK IN TO STOP VEHICLE. TRANSFER CASE NOW LEAKING AND WONDERING IF R…

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1998 SUBURBAN K1500 = REPETITIVE PROBLEMS WITH REAR BRAKES NOT SELF ADJUSTING, REPLACED BRAKE SHOES TWICE, REPLACED SPRINGS AND ALL HARDWARE ONCE (SINCE 2000) WITH NO AVAIL. REAR BRAKES DON'T WORK WELL, FRONT BRAKES NEED TO STOP VEHICLE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE TO KICK IN TO STOP VEHICLE. TRANSFER CASE NOW LEAKING AND WONDERING IF REAR BRAKE PROBLEM IS THE CAUSE OF TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10029268

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10009658

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE VEHICLES' ABS BRAKES STAYS ENGAGED, WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES PAD AND ROTORS TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACE PART 5 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

NHTSA ODI #10001230

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021023

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2002
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

CHEVROLET HAS BRUSHED ME OFF SEVERERL TIMES BY SAYING I NEVER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO A GM DEALER FOR BRAKES THE FIRST TIME I DDIDNT FEEL I WAS OBLIGATED TO GO TO GM I WENT TO BRAKE MAX THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND CHEVY WONT FESS UP AND HELP THE PUBLIC THE TRUCK IS TO BIG FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM MADE FOR THIS APPLICATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #765233

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND ARE GETTING WORSE. THE AUTO WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY WITH NO SATISFACTION. OTHER SUBURBANS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. CALIFORNIA HAS A LEMON LAW, BUT NOT OREGON....THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AB…

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THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND ARE GETTING WORSE. THE AUTO WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY WITH NO SATISFACTION. OTHER SUBURBANS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. CALIFORNIA HAS A LEMON LAW, BUT NOT OREGON....THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN CA WITH SATISFACTION B/C OF THE LEMON LAW. THE PROBLEM KEEPS GETTING WORSE UNTIL THE TIME COMES WHEN THE AUTO ALMOST LEAVES THE ROAD AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES

NHTSA ODI #764276

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.