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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

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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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Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SPOKEN TO CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE. DEALER SAYS NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. VEHICLE IS UNDER RECALL NOTICE -- NHTSA RECALL 98V033000. CURRENTLY ON THIRD SET OF FRONT BRAKES. CHEVROLET AREA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, HARVEY MYER HAS NEVER FOLLOWED UP WITH COMPLAINT, CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA FLEMING IS HELPFUL. DEA…

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SPOKEN TO CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE. DEALER SAYS NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. VEHICLE IS UNDER RECALL NOTICE -- NHTSA RECALL 98V033000. CURRENTLY ON THIRD SET OF FRONT BRAKES. CHEVROLET AREA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, HARVEY MYER HAS NEVER FOLLOWED UP WITH COMPLAINT, CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA FLEMING IS HELPFUL. DEALER WORKED ON BRAKES WHEN UNDER WARRANTY, REFUSES TO ACCEPT NHTSA INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #739054

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ALL 4 BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND CONSUMER WENT IN A 90 DEGREE CIRCLE. PRESENTLY, BRAKES WON'T STOP, THEY GO TO FLOOR, AND VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #875070

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

MY TRUCK SINCE NEW ONCE EVERY ONE OR TWO WEEKS THE BRAKES DON'T WORK, WHEN YOU MORE NEED THEM, SUDDENT STOP NOT PANIC STOP. WAS REPORTED IN SEVERAL OCCASION TO THE DELER,THEY INSPECTED REPACE PADS ... NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. THE TRUCK CONTINUE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LAST 9/25/00 THE CAR STARTED RUNNING LIKE WHEN THE BRAKES …

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MY TRUCK SINCE NEW ONCE EVERY ONE OR TWO WEEKS THE BRAKES DON'T WORK, WHEN YOU MORE NEED THEM, SUDDENT STOP NOT PANIC STOP. WAS REPORTED IN SEVERAL OCCASION TO THE DELER,THEY INSPECTED REPACE PADS ... NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. THE TRUCK CONTINUE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LAST 9/25/00 THE CAR STARTED RUNNING LIKE WHEN THE BRAKES IS ON AND LOCK IT.ONE MORE TIME PADS EVERY THINK IS REPLACED, BUT THIS TIME CONTINUE LOCK,KNOW CONTAMINATION IS SUSP. ??? MORE PARTS TO BE CHANGE. I AM REQUESTING HELP THIS IS NORMAL, I AM VERY CONCERN ABOUT MY FAMILY SAFETY. WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL A FATALITY OCCUR TO THEN SOMEONE CONCERN ABOUT THIS MATTER. I HAVE A NAIBOR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I WILL LIKE TO KNOW IF IS MORE DATA ABOUT THIS MATTER AND WHAT I CAN DO TO PREVENT A FATAL ACCIDENT. THANKS.

NHTSA ODI #732944

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 25MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, VEHICLE MAKES A CLINKING AND CLUNKING NOISE. HE HAS TO LET OFF OF BRAKES IN ORDER TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. HE HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER .*AK

NHTSA ODI #871889

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #554863

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM BEFORE OID ID: 701281, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DIES. OID ID:609017, 609109, 541068, 541537, 609005, 536544, 537798, 534868, 607646, 824021, 859425, 701281, 709150, 714200, 607214, 609769, 833732, 846325, 846347, 857553 ARE ALL RELATED. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED WITHIN SUMMARY. …

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I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM BEFORE OID ID: 701281, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DIES. OID ID:609017, 609109, 541068, 541537, 609005, 536544, 537798, 534868, 607646, 824021, 859425, 701281, 709150, 714200, 607214, 609769, 833732, 846325, 846347, 857553 ARE ALL RELATED. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722157

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH BRAKING SYSTEM; WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT, AND SOMETIMES TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN FOUND TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #859425

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE IS A COMPANY VEHICLE AND WAS PURCHASED WITHOUT TEST DRIVE. AFTER VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO SERVICE WE EXPERIENCED INSUFFICIENT BRAKING POWER, GRABING BRAKES, 100% LOSS OF BRAKES. ORIGINAL DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS, ROTORS & ABS SYSTEM. MARYVILLE, TN DEALER ALSO REPLACED PADS & ABS PARTS. STILL VEHICLE HAS NO STOPPING POWER. …

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VEHICLE IS A COMPANY VEHICLE AND WAS PURCHASED WITHOUT TEST DRIVE. AFTER VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO SERVICE WE EXPERIENCED INSUFFICIENT BRAKING POWER, GRABING BRAKES, 100% LOSS OF BRAKES. ORIGINAL DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS, ROTORS & ABS SYSTEM. MARYVILLE, TN DEALER ALSO REPLACED PADS & ABS PARTS. STILL VEHICLE HAS NO STOPPING POWER. ON GOING PROBLEM WHICH CREATES A DANGEROUS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #714200

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1999
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

DURING IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THE MASTER CYLINDER SHEARED OFF THE FIRE WALL RENDERING BRAKES INOPERABLE AFTER IMPACT. DO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RESULTED IN DRIVER SUFFERED A FRATURED STERNUM. VEHICLE TOTALED. *YC

NHTSA ODI #548525

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES--PREMATURE FAILURE. 6 SETS OF BRAKES USED IN 60000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #609769

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.