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
What owners actually said
201 reports
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
77,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Visibility
WHILE OPERATING CONTINUOUSLY FOR AN HOUR OR MORE IN HEAVY RAIN, THE WIPERS STOPPED. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10056102
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Visibility
WHILE OPERATING CONTINUOUSLY FOR AN HOUR OR MORE IN HEAVY RAIN, THE WIPERS STOPPED. *PH HEN THE CONSUMER PULLED ON THE WIPER ARM, THE WIPERS WORKED FOR AWHILE. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL, HOWEVER IT ONLY INCLUDED THE 1995 TO 1997 MODELS. *JB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10055477
60,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Visibility
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON MY 1998 SUBURBAN, THE WIPER WOULD QUIT WORKING PERIODICAL AND YOU WOULD HERE A BUZZING NOISE BUT NO WIPER MOVEMENT. BY OPENING THE HOOD AND HITTING OR TAPPING ON THE WIPER MODULE THEY WOULD WORK AGAIN TEMP FOR SOME TIME. I TAKE THE SUBURBAN IN WITH MY RECALL NOTI…
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I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON MY 1998 SUBURBAN, THE WIPER WOULD QUIT WORKING PERIODICAL AND YOU WOULD HERE A BUZZING NOISE BUT NO WIPER MOVEMENT. BY OPENING THE HOOD AND HITTING OR TAPPING ON THE WIPER MODULE THEY WOULD WORK AGAIN TEMP FOR SOME TIME. I TAKE THE SUBURBAN IN WITH MY RECALL NOTICE, BUT THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE SINCE THEY SHOW THIS MODEL IS NOT AFFECTED OR FALL WITH THE VIN #'S THAT SHOW EVEN THOUGH THE EXACT SYMPTOMS EXIST. THIS IS A MAJOR SCAM!!!! *CB
NHTSA ODI #10053297
75,000 miles · Jan 13, 2004
Steering
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. WHEN TURNING LEFT RESISTANCE INCREASESED ALL AT ONCE, DRIVER RECEIVED POWER ASSISTANCE WHEN TURNING RIGHT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10053961
76,000 miles · Jan 12, 2004
Steering
I AM HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE WITH MY 1998 SUBURBAN THAT WAS FILED ON NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA99011. I ALSO NOTICE THAT IT HAPPENS WORSE WHEN DRIVING IN WINTER WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE COLDER. IT SEEMS ONCE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR AWHILE ITS NOT AS BAD. BUT STILL SEEM TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL AS INDICATED IN THE REPORT MENTIONE…
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I AM HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE WITH MY 1998 SUBURBAN THAT WAS FILED ON NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA99011. I ALSO NOTICE THAT IT HAPPENS WORSE WHEN DRIVING IN WINTER WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE COLDER. IT SEEMS ONCE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR AWHILE ITS NOT AS BAD. BUT STILL SEEM TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL AS INDICATED IN THE REPORT MENTIONED ABOVE. A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SCARY. LOSS OF STEERING FOR SPLIT SECOND CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WHEN THE LOSS OCCURS. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10053013
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2003
Steering
1998 SUBURBAN ALMOST WRECKED SEVERAL TIMES TO DO FAULTY ELECTRONIC VARIABLE ORIFICE (EVO) SENSOR LOCATED UNDER STEERING COLUMN. WHEN IN A RIGHT HAND TURN VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY LUNGE TO THE RIGHT TO DO SUDDEN INCREASE IN POWER STEERING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND GM OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I THINK…
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1998 SUBURBAN ALMOST WRECKED SEVERAL TIMES TO DO FAULTY ELECTRONIC VARIABLE ORIFICE (EVO) SENSOR LOCATED UNDER STEERING COLUMN. WHEN IN A RIGHT HAND TURN VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY LUNGE TO THE RIGHT TO DO SUDDEN INCREASE IN POWER STEERING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND GM OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I THINK IT SHOULD BE A RECALL IMMEDIATELY. THERE ARE PLENTY OF DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS PROBLEM AND GM KNOWS IT TOO... BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10049361
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 · Nov 20, 2003
Seat Belts
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT PULL OUT OF THE RETRACTOR LEAVING THE FRONT PASSENGER IMPROPERLY RESTRAINED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10048386
83,000 miles · Oct 27, 2003
Child Seat
CONSUMER OWNED TWO GRACO CHILD SEATS ,AND ONE TIME OR ANOTHER SHIELD HAD FALLEN OFF DUE TO LOOSENING OF THE SCREWS. *AK
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.
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.
1998 Chevrolet Suburban Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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