IllustrationCHEVROLET SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSISTENTLY ON IN THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP CAN'T SEEM TO GIVE AN HONEST ANSWER AS TO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. *LA
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
What owners actually said
201 reportsTRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 32000 MILES - RADIATOR REPLACED AT 54000 - WATER PUMP- DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS REPLACED NOW DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK . *JB
WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE WIPERS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AT TIMES, THE BRAKES WERE SOFT, THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE FOUND LEAKING, AND THE SHOES CRACKED. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED, AND THE TAIL SHAFT SEAL WAS R…
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE WIPERS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AT TIMES, THE BRAKES WERE SOFT, THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE FOUND LEAKING, AND THE SHOES CRACKED. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED, AND THE TAIL SHAFT SEAL WAS REPLACED. *SCC *JB
AUTO DIMMING FOR THE REAR VIEW MIRRORS HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE,AND IT DOESN'T DIM THE MIRRORS ANYMORE. WITH NO MANUAL WAY TO DIM YOUR REAR VIEW MIRROR THIS MAKES DRIVING AT NIGHT VERY DANGEROUS AT TIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY WANTED $500 SAYING THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR NEEDED REPLACED. I FEEL THAT THE…
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AUTO DIMMING FOR THE REAR VIEW MIRRORS HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE,AND IT DOESN'T DIM THE MIRRORS ANYMORE. WITH NO MANUAL WAY TO DIM YOUR REAR VIEW MIRROR THIS MAKES DRIVING AT NIGHT VERY DANGEROUS AT TIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY WANTED $500 SAYING THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR NEEDED REPLACED. I FEEL THAT THE REPLACEMENT PRICE IS TOO EXORBITANT, AND BECAUSE OF THAT IT HASN'T BEEN REPLACED. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY SHOULD PUT A MANUAL FLIP SWITCH ON THE MIRROR AS A BACK-UP IN CASE THE MIRROR WOULD BECOME DEFECTIVE LIKE MINE HAS. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING DURING A STRONG STORM ON I-75. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE AND PULL OFF THE ROAD...A BUZZING NOISE WAS COMING FROM A BLACK MOTOR CASING, SO I TAPPED IT AND THE WIPERS BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPEN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN. *NLM
CONSUMER STATES WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY DURING USAGE. *AK
1998 SUBURBAN K1500 = REPETITIVE PROBLEMS WITH REAR BRAKES NOT SELF ADJUSTING, REPLACED BRAKE SHOES TWICE, REPLACED SPRINGS AND ALL HARDWARE ONCE (SINCE 2000) WITH NO AVAIL. REAR BRAKES DON'T WORK WELL, FRONT BRAKES NEED TO STOP VEHICLE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE TO KICK IN TO STOP VEHICLE. TRANSFER CASE NOW LEAKING AND WONDERING IF R…
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1998 SUBURBAN K1500 = REPETITIVE PROBLEMS WITH REAR BRAKES NOT SELF ADJUSTING, REPLACED BRAKE SHOES TWICE, REPLACED SPRINGS AND ALL HARDWARE ONCE (SINCE 2000) WITH NO AVAIL. REAR BRAKES DON'T WORK WELL, FRONT BRAKES NEED TO STOP VEHICLE ANTILOCK BRAKES HAVE TO KICK IN TO STOP VEHICLE. TRANSFER CASE NOW LEAKING AND WONDERING IF REAR BRAKE PROBLEM IS THE CAUSE OF TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE?*AK
PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1998 MODEL. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 1997 BUT IS A 1998 MODEL. PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: . CHEVROLET HAS A RECALL FOR 1997 MODEL FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION I HAVE A 1998 MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER IT. 2. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEM…
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PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1998 MODEL. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 1997 BUT IS A 1998 MODEL. PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: . CHEVROLET HAS A RECALL FOR 1997 MODEL FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION I HAVE A 1998 MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER IT. 2. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL. VEHICLE HAS SOME SORT OF WIRING PROBLEM, I CHANGED THE BATTERIES ON THE REMOTE CONTROL BUT IT WILL NOT WORK. 3. I HAD TO CHANGE WIRING HARNESS FOR REAR LIGHTS SINCE THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK AND DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I HAD TO CHANGE THE WIRING.*AK
THE QUARTER PANEL GLASS DOOR SHATTERED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE CLOSING THE FRONT DOOR. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS COMMON ON THOSE VEHICLES.*AK
FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THEY FINALLY QUIT COMPLETELY JULY 7,2003. CALLED CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR 1998 SUBURBAN.*AK
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.