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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

17 reports
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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 · Sep 8, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

WELD ON HEAT SHIELD.

NHTSA ODI #609578

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURE FROM DAY ONE. 1ST:ORIGINAL POWER STEERING PUMP THAT CONTROLS THE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS REPLACED WHEN PULLEY SHAFT BROKE. LOST ALL POWER AND BRAKING ABILITY WHEN THE PUMP SHAFT BROKE. NO BRAKES NO STEERING. 2ND: SINCE INITIAL PURCHASE I HAVE HAD PANIC BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN BRAKES ARE REQUIRED AT PANIC STOP, …

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PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURE FROM DAY ONE. 1ST:ORIGINAL POWER STEERING PUMP THAT CONTROLS THE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS REPLACED WHEN PULLEY SHAFT BROKE. LOST ALL POWER AND BRAKING ABILITY WHEN THE PUMP SHAFT BROKE. NO BRAKES NO STEERING. 2ND: SINCE INITIAL PURCHASE I HAVE HAD PANIC BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN BRAKES ARE REQUIRED AT PANIC STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES BECOME INACTIVE UNTIL PRESSURE BUILDS UP AND PEDAL REGAINS ORIGINAL HEIGHT. AT THAT TIME THE BRAKES WILL BECOME ACTIVE AND START TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT SOMEONE WHO JUMPED INFRONT OF MY VEHICLE. SWERVED TO AVOID INCIDENT. HAVE SPOKE TO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND ALL SAY THAT THAT IS NORMAL AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER SUBURBAN OWNERS WHO ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND ALSO TO NOTHING WRONG. 3RD PROBLEM IS WITH STEERING SYSTEM IS TOO LOOSE. TRUCK WANDERS AT HWY SPEEDS. MUST CONTINUALLY READJUST STEERING BACK AND FORTH.

NHTSA ODI #709148

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ONCE. THEY JUST FILLED UP THE BRAKE FLUID. 2ND TIME THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL. THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS AT THE ENGINE.I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING . TOOK IT IN TWO OR THREE TIMES FOR THAT. THEY REPLACED SOME SWITCHES . THEN HAD TO T…

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I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ONCE. THEY JUST FILLED UP THE BRAKE FLUID. 2ND TIME THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL. THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS AT THE ENGINE.I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING . TOOK IT IN TWO OR THREE TIMES FOR THAT. THEY REPLACED SOME SWITCHES . THEN HAD TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED THE REAR AIRCONDITIONER. WE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK TO PULL A 20 FT TRAILER THE TRAILER WEIGHS 4200 LB. THE SUBURBAN HAS A 3.73 DIFFERENTIAL AND THE TRAILERING PKG. PLUS POST TRACTION OR WHATEVER THETY CALL IT NOW! WE WENT ON A VACATION IN NOV. PLANNING ON BEING HOME THE 1ST OF THE YEAR. OUR !ST DIFFERENTIAL BROKE OUTSIDE OF FREDERICK MD. IT WAS REPLACED. UPON TRYING TO RETURN HOME THE 2ND DIFFERENTIAL BROKE! IT WAS REPLACED IN LOUISVILLE KY. CONTINUNING OUR VENTURE HOME. THE 3RD DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT IN MOBILE ALA. THEY GAVE ME A VERY DIFFICULT TIME. TOLD ME IT WAS MY FAULT. I WAS EITHER GOING TOO FAST OF THE TRAILER WAS TOO HEAVY. NEITHER ACUSATIONS WERE TRUE! UPON FINALLY ARRIVING HOME (ALMOST) THE 4TH DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT AND REPLACED. I HAVE LOST ALL FAITH & TRUST IN THIS VECHICLE. AM SCARED TO DEATH TO TAKE IT ON THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND IS 67 YEARS OLD AND HAS DREAMED OF HIS RETIREMENT ALL HIS LIFE. NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH A SUBURBAN WE DON'T DARE TAKE ON THE ROAD FOR FEAR OF IT BREAKING DOWN AGAIN. CHEVROLET REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE GARAGE WE PURCHASED IT FROM HAS BEEN VERY NICE. HOWEVER, THEY ALSO HAVE BEEN NO HELP IN THIS ISSUE! ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE PERTAINING TO CHEVROLET REPLACING MY SUBURBAN WOUYLD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705153

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingTiresUnknown Or Other

DIGITAL COMPASS/TEMPERATURE READOUT GIVING INACCURATE READING FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #541068

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling

COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, AND WHEN DRIVING 200 MILES OR MORE THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE BECAUSE ANTI-FREEZE GOT INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH A HEAD GASKET. *AK

NHTSA ODI #825978

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Air

ENGINE FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #534868

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.