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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

What owners actually said

201 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2005
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DROVE ERRATICALLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT SUN GEAR REACTION SHELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111255

50,000 miles · Feb 9, 2005
Visibility

(1) DRIVING IN RAIN. (2) WIPER FAILURE. CONSEQUENCES ARE OBVIOUS! (3) STOP, OPEN HOOD OF VEHICLE, AND SMACK THE WIPER CONTROL! NOTE! DUE TO FACT THAT A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A 1996 GMC SIERRA TRUCK WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM, I REFUSE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIXED! MY VEHICLE IS A 1998 (ORDERED IN 1997 BEF…

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(1) DRIVING IN RAIN. (2) WIPER FAILURE. CONSEQUENCES ARE OBVIOUS! (3) STOP, OPEN HOOD OF VEHICLE, AND SMACK THE WIPER CONTROL! NOTE! DUE TO FACT THAT A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A 1996 GMC SIERRA TRUCK WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM, I REFUSE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIXED! MY VEHICLE IS A 1998 (ORDERED IN 1997 BEFORE THEY HIT THE PRODUCTION LINE) CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE PROBLEM IS BAD SOLDER JOINTS ON THE BOARD! I AM AN EET BY DEGREE FOR 25 YEARS AND I KNOW THE PROBLEM WELL AND I ALSO KNOW THAT THE PROBLEM WITH MY FRIEND'S TRUCK AND MINE ARE THE SAME PROBLEM! I GOT ABSOLUTELY NO HELP FROM CHEVROLET CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVES! THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS INDEED THE SAME WIPER CONTROL AND COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE RECALL CUTOFF STOPPED WHEN IT DID! BUT, THEY ALSO WOULD NOT GIVE ME A GUARANTEE THAT I WOULD NOT BE CHARGED TO HAVE IT FIXED! IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS FAILURE, GMC WILL PAY THAT BLOODY MONEY! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10110227

110,890 miles · Feb 6, 2005
Electrical System

1998 CHEVY TAHOE WONT START, SPONTANEOUSLY. IT WILL TURN OVER, BUT WONT START. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS WRONG, TRIED IT AGAIN AFTER 10-15 MINUTES AND IT STARTED. I FIGURED IT WAS JUST COLD. SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED, IT WAS ABOUT 45 MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED, AND I WAS TOLD BY THE GUY AT THE TIRE DEALER, THAT HI…

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1998 CHEVY TAHOE WONT START, SPONTANEOUSLY. IT WILL TURN OVER, BUT WONT START. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS WRONG, TRIED IT AGAIN AFTER 10-15 MINUTES AND IT STARTED. I FIGURED IT WAS JUST COLD. SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED, IT WAS ABOUT 45 MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED, AND I WAS TOLD BY THE GUY AT THE TIRE DEALER, THAT HIS AND A FRIENDS TAHOE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I DID THIS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THEFT DETERRENT MODULE. AFTER SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS AND A RENTAL CAR FOR A WEEK I GOT THE TRUCK BACK. IT WAS ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SAME THING, COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS, A RENTAL CAR FOR A WEEK AND I GOT IT BACK AFTER 3 DAYS. 3 DAYS LATER, THE SAME THING. I DO NOT HAVE MY TRUCK NOW, I HAVE A RENTAL AGAIN. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS AGAIN, BECAUSE IT IS A "....TOTALLY DIFFERENT SET OF CODES THAN READ THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES..." *JB

NHTSA ODI #10109951

84,000 miles · Nov 11, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

I DRIVE A 1998 SUBURBAN AND MY HUSBAND DRIVES A 1997 GMC 2500 TRUCK. THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE (USED TO OPEN THE DOOR) HAS BROKEN THREE TIMES IN HIS TRUCK AND IT HAS DIFFICULTY CATCHING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN MY SUBURBAN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098653

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

110,470 miles · Jun 24, 2004
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE FAILED AT LEAST ONCE ALMOST EVERY TIME USED FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. USUALLY COULD BE THUMPED & RESTARTED. TODAY THEY FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN QUIT ALTOGETHER, IN LIGHT TO HEAVY RAIN, ON THE INTERSTATE. DROVE TO MCCONNELL IN MOBILE AND THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG.. HAD OBVIOUSLY SEEN IT PLENTY B…

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WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE FAILED AT LEAST ONCE ALMOST EVERY TIME USED FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. USUALLY COULD BE THUMPED & RESTARTED. TODAY THEY FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN QUIT ALTOGETHER, IN LIGHT TO HEAVY RAIN, ON THE INTERSTATE. DROVE TO MCCONNELL IN MOBILE AND THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG.. HAD OBVIOUSLY SEEN IT PLENTY BEFORE. I HAD TO PAY $158.46 FOR THE REPAIR AS THEY INFORMED ME THE RECALL ONLY COVERED '94 - '97. '98 SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED!! GM IS VERY LUCKY THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO TRAGEDIES BECAUSE OF THIS... AT LEAST, THAT ANYBODY KNOWS ABOUT. I THINK IT'S VERY POSSIBLE THAT THERE ARE UNREPORTED ACCIDENTS OR DEATHS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. VISIBILITY GOES TO ZERO ALMOST IMMEDIATELY! REIMBURSE ME, GM, YOU'RE GETTING OFF CHEAP!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10078743

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2004
Visibility

1998 CHEVY SUBURBAN-WIPERS STOP WORKING AT RANDOM INTERVALS, MUST FORCE TO WORK BY HAND UNTIL THEY START WORKING AGAIN, NEED TO REPLACE WIPER MOTOR

NHTSA ODI #10075229

133,000 miles · Jun 1, 2004
Visibility

IN HEAVY RAIN, WINDSHIELD WASHERS FAILED COMPLETELY WITH NO WARNING. HUMMING IN THE MOTOR BUT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK. EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. COULD NOT SEE ROAD NOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10074574

69,588 miles · May 21, 2004
Steering

STEERING SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO SKIP WHEN TURNING AND FEELS LIKE CONTROL OF STEERING IS LOST MOMENTARILY. SENSOR WAS REPLACED ONCE AND PROBLEM WAS CURED FOR A TIME, BUT IT IS NOW RECURRING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10072967

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CONTROL BOARD FAILED DUE TO FAULTY SHOULDER JOINT. *PH THIS WAS THE SAME FAILURE AS IN THE 1997 SUBURBAN RECALL. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DURING THE RAIN. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10068568

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.