IllustrationCHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS MISFIRING DUE TO INJECTORS FAILURE. *YH
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban 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
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
Steering complaints
21 reportsWHEN DRIVING AT ALMOST ANY SPEED STEERING SLIPS AND JERKS TO RIGHT OR LEFT. THE TIRES DON'T MOVE WITH THE SLIP. IT STARTED OUT AS JUST A RIGHT SHIFT, AND NOW IT IS JERKING BOTH TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. *AK
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…
Read full complaint
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
VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH A NOTICEABLE PULL TO THE RIGHT. REPEATED TRIPS BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND REPEATED TALKS WITH VARIOUS LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. IN FACT, THE SERVICE PERSONNEL REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AT ALL. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP HAS ALSO BEEN…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH A NOTICEABLE PULL TO THE RIGHT. REPEATED TRIPS BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND REPEATED TALKS WITH VARIOUS LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. IN FACT, THE SERVICE PERSONNEL REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AT ALL. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP HAS ALSO BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE GIVEN UP ON TRYING TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED, BUT STILL CONSIDER IT TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
VEHICLE VEERS TO LEFT / RIGHT, COUNTER CLOCKWISE FROM THE WAY ITS SWINGS. THIS HAPPENS AT 55 TO 60 MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED COMPONENT REPLACEMENTS IN THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING DUE TO DEFECT. ALSO POWER STEERING SENSOR WAS REPLACED/NUTS:BOLTS THAT HOLD TIRE TOGETHER SHEARED OFF, CAUSING TIRE …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE VEERS TO LEFT / RIGHT, COUNTER CLOCKWISE FROM THE WAY ITS SWINGS. THIS HAPPENS AT 55 TO 60 MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED COMPONENT REPLACEMENTS IN THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING DUE TO DEFECT. ALSO POWER STEERING SENSOR WAS REPLACED/NUTS:BOLTS THAT HOLD TIRE TOGETHER SHEARED OFF, CAUSING TIRE TO FALL OFF. *AK
WHENEVER A TURN IS MADE IT APPEARS THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN MORE THEN THE DRIVER REQUIRED. CAN NHTSA HELP OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK
POWER STEERING PUMP ALSO POWERS THE BRAKING SYSTEM. BRAKES FAIL AT PANIC STOPS AND PEDALS GO TO FLOOR. POWER STEERING SYSTEM CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO WANDER AT HWY SPEEDS. REQUIRES CONSTANT READJUSTMENTS. AT TIMES WILL LOSE CONTROL. GM SAYS NORMAL. HAVE CONTACTED THEM AND REFUSED ASSITANCE IN THESE ISSUES BUT RECEIVED ONLY STANDARD…
Read full complaint
POWER STEERING PUMP ALSO POWERS THE BRAKING SYSTEM. BRAKES FAIL AT PANIC STOPS AND PEDALS GO TO FLOOR. POWER STEERING SYSTEM CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO WANDER AT HWY SPEEDS. REQUIRES CONSTANT READJUSTMENTS. AT TIMES WILL LOSE CONTROL. GM SAYS NORMAL. HAVE CONTACTED THEM AND REFUSED ASSITANCE IN THESE ISSUES BUT RECEIVED ONLY STANDARD CORPORATE NO ASSISTANCE/FORM ANSWERS.
STEERING WHEEL "SKIPS" DURING TURNS AT 30 TO 50 MPH. *AK
STEERING SENSOR FAILED CAUSING STEERING TO BIND MOMENTARILY-THEN FULL POWER ASSIST OCCUR. NLM
STEERING WHEEL SENSOR FAILED. IN ADDIRION, RADIO/ELECTRICAL C OMPONENTS WILL NOT CUT OFF WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF.
Official recalls
203V093000 · 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
1EA99011 · 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.