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
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2003
Visibility
I HAVE A 98 CHEVY SUBURBAN, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOME TIMES STOP WORKING WHILE THEY ARE IN USE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME SUBURBANS, AND BLAZERS, BUT THE YEAR ONLY WENT UP TO I THINK 1997. THE RECALL HAD TO DO WITH THE WIPERS STOPPING DURING OPERATION. I CALLED CHEVEROLET JUST TO SEE IF OUR YEAR WAS GOING TO BE INCLUDED I…
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I HAVE A 98 CHEVY SUBURBAN, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOME TIMES STOP WORKING WHILE THEY ARE IN USE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME SUBURBANS, AND BLAZERS, BUT THE YEAR ONLY WENT UP TO I THINK 1997. THE RECALL HAD TO DO WITH THE WIPERS STOPPING DURING OPERATION. I CALLED CHEVEROLET JUST TO SEE IF OUR YEAR WAS GOING TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND HE REPLIED NO, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. HE SAID HE COULD CALL A DEALER AND HAVE ME TAKE IT TO THEM AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE IT IN RIGHT NOW, SO HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE A RECALL IN THE FUTURE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I USE THE WIPERS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10016681
41,116 miles · Apr 18, 2003
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, CONTROL MODULE P/N 12463090, FAILS DUE TO A COLD (CRACKED) SOLDER JOINT ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016182
66,000 miles · Apr 18, 2003
Visibility
1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN INTERMITTENT WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T SHUT OFF WHEN TURNED OFF. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016157
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10009658
69,000 miles · Feb 20, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE INTAKE GASKET FAILS AFTER ABOUT 4 YEARS OF SERVICE. I AM TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN OF THE GASKETS AND THE EXTENDED LIFE ANTI-FREEZE USED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OF THE GASKET ALLOWS ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX WITH THE OIL WHICH CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IF NOT DETECTED. THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. I PERSON…
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THE INTAKE GASKET FAILS AFTER ABOUT 4 YEARS OF SERVICE. I AM TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN OF THE GASKETS AND THE EXTENDED LIFE ANTI-FREEZE USED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OF THE GASKET ALLOWS ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX WITH THE OIL WHICH CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IF NOT DETECTED. THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF 3 FAILURES OF THIS GASKET. THE ANTI-FREEZE ALSO DEGRADES SOME FITTINGS THAT GO INTO THE INTAKE.
NHTSA ODI #10007839
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2003
Service Brakes, Air
NHTSA RECALL 98-V-033-000: 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. CONSUMER STATES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HAD CHANGED FIVE TIME THE BRAKE PADS, AND THREE …
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NHTSA RECALL 98-V-033-000: 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. CONSUMER STATES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HAD CHANGED FIVE TIME THE BRAKE PADS, AND THREE TIMES THE ROTORS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN#. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10006125
90,000 miles · Jan 9, 2003
Visibility
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO FUNCTION CORRECTLY MOST OF THE TIME. WHEN SWITCHED ON TO THE INTERMITTENT SETTING THEY USUALLY OPERATE AT LOW SPEED RATHER THAN INTERMITTENT. WHEN SWITCHED OFF THEY USUALLY CONTINUE WIPING FOR MANY CYCLES AND THEN STOP SEEMINGLY RANDOMLY ANYWHERE IN THERE PATH OF TRAVEL. ALSO, THE WINDSHILED WASHER NO…
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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO FUNCTION CORRECTLY MOST OF THE TIME. WHEN SWITCHED ON TO THE INTERMITTENT SETTING THEY USUALLY OPERATE AT LOW SPEED RATHER THAN INTERMITTENT. WHEN SWITCHED OFF THEY USUALLY CONTINUE WIPING FOR MANY CYCLES AND THEN STOP SEEMINGLY RANDOMLY ANYWHERE IN THERE PATH OF TRAVEL. ALSO, THE WINDSHILED WASHER NO LONGER PUMPS FLUID.
NHTSA ODI #10000864
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 · Nov 27, 2002
Power Train
CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WITHOUT THEIR FOOT ON THE BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA ODI #8023403
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2002
Service Brakes, Air
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
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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