IllustrationI OWN A 1998 CHEVY TAHOE 2 DR 4WD. IT HAD 114,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND THE MOTOR WAS RUINED REQUIRING A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN ABUSED. MAINTENANCE WAS REGULAR. I'VE NOW FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON DESIGN DEFECT LEADING TO FAILURE. I NOW BUY MAZDA OR TOYOTA VEHICLES. *TR
1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 246.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tahoe years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
525–50K
2450–75K
3275–100K
14100–150K
11150K+
89 reports with mileage · 174 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 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
18 crash reports7 fire reports9 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
21 reportsENGINE QUIT DURING HEAVY RAIN,AT 40 MPH, BRAKES LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING AND CONTROL. VEHICLE RAN OFF ROAD AND HIT A TREE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES, BUT MAJOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *NM
PREMATURE CONNECTING ROD AND PISTON PIN WEAR IN CHEVY 5.7 VORTEC ENGINE. WEAR OCCURRED EVEN BEFORE OWNERS MANUAL CALLED FOR SPARK PLUG CHANGE. *JB
ENGINE LEAKED COOLANT FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. AS A RESULT, ENGINE BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. *AK CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN COOLANT BEGAN LEAKING. GM HAS A NEW PART NUMBER BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS GASKET HAS BEEN CHANGED TO CORRECT DEFFECT. MECHANIC REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET SET AND SERPENTINE B…
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ENGINE LEAKED COOLANT FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. AS A RESULT, ENGINE BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. *AK CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN COOLANT BEGAN LEAKING. GM HAS A NEW PART NUMBER BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS GASKET HAS BEEN CHANGED TO CORRECT DEFFECT. MECHANIC REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET SET AND SERPENTINE BELT. *LA
I HAVE A 1998 TAHOE (PURCHASE NEW FROM EDMARK CHEVROLET IN NAMPA, IDAHO) WITH A 350 VORTEC WITH 42,000 MILES. I HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT I AM LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEAR THE REAR FIREWALL. A VERY REPUTABLE MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS ENGINE AND WILL COST AROUND $400-$500 TO FIX. WHILE I…
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I HAVE A 1998 TAHOE (PURCHASE NEW FROM EDMARK CHEVROLET IN NAMPA, IDAHO) WITH A 350 VORTEC WITH 42,000 MILES. I HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT I AM LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEAR THE REAR FIREWALL. A VERY REPUTABLE MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS ENGINE AND WILL COST AROUND $400-$500 TO FIX. WHILE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 6 YEARS I AM AM UPSET THAT A $34,000 CAR WITH ONLY 42,00 MILES HAS A PROBLEM WHICH IS DEEMED TO BE "COMMON". IF IT IS COMMON, AND I SUSPECT IT IS, WHY DOESN'T GM POST A BULLETIN AND OFFER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. IT CERTAINLY WASN'T CAUSED FROM ABUSE OR NEGLECT. THIS SAME CAR LAST YEAR WITH AROUND 36,000 MILES ON IT HAD TO HAVE ITS ALTERNATOR REPLACED AT A COST OF $350 AND A LEAKING GAS TANK WHICH COST ME $450. THESE REPAIRS SEEM REDICULOUS TO ME CONSIDERING THE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE, THE LOW MILEAGE, AND THE GENERAL OVERALL CARE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. FRANKLY, I ENJOY THE VEHICLE TREMENDOUSLY AND IT FITS MY LIFESTYLE PERFECTLY. HOWEVER, HAVING SAID THAT I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP POURING MAJOR DOLLARS INTO THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVY GUY AND WOULD LIKE TO REMAIN ONE. I HAVE BEEN LOYAL AND WOULD APPRECIATE CHEVY BEING LOYAL TO ME BY REPAIRING MY COOLANT LEAK AND REIMBURSING ME FOR THE OTHER PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED EXPENSES. *AK
HEATER HOSE ADAPTOR THAT RAN DIRECTLY INTO INTAKE MAINFOLD WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM CORRODED AND ANTIFREEZE LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE MOTOR. THIS RESULTED IN VEHICLE OVERHEATING. *AK
WATER PUMP STARTE TO LEAK AFTER 2 YEARS WITH A REPLACEMENT FROM THE DEALERSHIP.GASKET ORIGINALLY WAS CORRODED FROM THE DEXOL COOLANT. THIS TIME THE METAL HOUSING FOR THE WATER PUMP DEVELOPED A HOLE JUST BELOW THE SHAFT, LARGE ENOUGH FOR A PENCIL TO BE INSERTED.*AK
COOLANT USED IN MY 1998 TAHOE CAUSES EARLY CORROSION OF PARTS IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. EVEN FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDED FLUSHING, I AM FINDING MYSELF FACING A RATHER LARGE SERVICE BILL TO FIX A LEAK CAUSED BY THE TYPE OF COOLANT USED. THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM (NEW) ADMITTED THAT THEY DO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH EARLY CORR…
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COOLANT USED IN MY 1998 TAHOE CAUSES EARLY CORROSION OF PARTS IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. EVEN FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDED FLUSHING, I AM FINDING MYSELF FACING A RATHER LARGE SERVICE BILL TO FIX A LEAK CAUSED BY THE TYPE OF COOLANT USED. THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM (NEW) ADMITTED THAT THEY DO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH EARLY CORROSION, YET CHEVROLET IS NOT COVERING ANY OF THE REPAIR COST. *AK
CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER DETERMINED THAT MAIN ENGINE BEARING FAILED. METAL PARTICLES WERE FOUND IN ENGINE OIL.*AK *YH
THE BRAKE FAILURES ARE WELL KNOWN BY ALL TAHOE OWNERS. THE FAILURES FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL ASSEMBLY, BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY ARE ALL RELATED TO POOR QUALITY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS NOT INTENDED FOR ANY REASONABLE SERVICE LIFE. JUNK BY ANY QUALITY STANDARDS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT NELDA STEVENSON CHEVROLET ACKNOLWDGED…
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THE BRAKE FAILURES ARE WELL KNOWN BY ALL TAHOE OWNERS. THE FAILURES FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL ASSEMBLY, BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY ARE ALL RELATED TO POOR QUALITY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS NOT INTENDED FOR ANY REASONABLE SERVICE LIFE. JUNK BY ANY QUALITY STANDARDS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT NELDA STEVENSON CHEVROLET ACKNOLWDGED THESE COMPONENTS HAVE HIGH FAILURE RATES, BUT THEY GET PAID TO CORRECT THEM. THE COOLANTCONNECTOR IS AN EXTEMEMLY POOR DESIGN. DESPITE THREADING INTO THE INTAKE, IT IS MADE OF A POOR QUALITY MATERIAL THAT BREAKS OFF AT THE ENTRY TO THE MANIFOLD REQUIRING REMOVAL OF THE MANIFOLD TO REMOVE THE BROKEN THREADS RESULTING IN A $400 BILL TO REPLACE A $12.95 PART. AGAIN PATHETIC DESIGN AND CHOICE OF MATERIALS TO SAVE A COUPLE OF DOLLARS IN MANUFACTURING. AS A DESIGN ENGINEER, I FIND THESE CHOICES BY GM DESIGNERS DEPLORABLE AND WILL BUY USED BMWS FROM NOW ON. A BMW WITH 200,000 MILES HAS MORE SERVICE LIFE LEFT IN IT THAN A BRAND NEW GM PRODUCT. *AK
Official recalls
298V033000 · 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.
97V142000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
Aug 29, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY EXTENDED-CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 4-DOOR UTILITY TRUCKS. THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING GEAR PINCH BOLT IS "FINGER LOOSE" OR MISSING ALLOWING THE BOLT TO LOOSEN AND FALL OUT. THE STEERING SHAFT YOKE CAN WEAR CAUSING AN OFF CENTER STEERING WHEEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND CAB CAN CAUSE THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE ARRANGING TO HAVE THE VEHICLES INVOLVED TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION IS BEING ARRANGED FOR OWNERS. DEALERS WILL THEN INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PINCH BOLT AND TORQUE THIS BOLT TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.
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
2PE01023 · Seat Belt Anchorage Separation
Opened Jul 17, 2001 · Closed Dec 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE (1) COMPLAINT ALLEGING THAT THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUCKLE ANCHOR DETACHED FROM SEAT FRAME DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.DURING THE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WAS THROWN FROM HIS SEAT, PARTIALLY EJECTED THROUGH THE REAR QUARTER WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE.OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURY.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED SEAT BELT ANCHORING DESIGN IN MY 2000. ODI HAS COMPLETED A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND HAS DETERMINED THAT FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.
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.