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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

What owners actually said

201 reports
37,000 miles · Jul 7, 2003
Visibility

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000, BUT IT'S MODEL YEAR AND VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10026645

95,000 miles · Jul 5, 2003
Visibility

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 5.7L V8, 4X4 WITH THE LT PACKAGE. I AM EXPERIENCING WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS WHERE THE WIPERS FAIL APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE TIME WHEN NEEDED. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON 94-97 MODEL CHEVROLET PICKUPS/SUV'S ON THIS ISSUE BUT THE 98 MODELS ARE NOT INCLUDED. I BELIEVE I AM EXPERIENCING THE SA…

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I HAVE A 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 5.7L V8, 4X4 WITH THE LT PACKAGE. I AM EXPERIENCING WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS WHERE THE WIPERS FAIL APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE TIME WHEN NEEDED. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON 94-97 MODEL CHEVROLET PICKUPS/SUV'S ON THIS ISSUE BUT THE 98 MODELS ARE NOT INCLUDED. I BELIEVE I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE ISSUE SHOULD BE GM'S RESPONSIBILITY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10025459

72,000 miles · Jun 24, 2003
Visibility

I HAD MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. AT FIRST IT STARTED OUT ONCE IN AWHILE. HOWEVER COMING BACK FROM VACATION IN THE AUTUMN OF 2001, I WAS COMING THROUGH A MOUNTAIN PASS AT 10:30 PM. IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD AND ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT. I H…

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I HAD MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. AT FIRST IT STARTED OUT ONCE IN AWHILE. HOWEVER COMING BACK FROM VACATION IN THE AUTUMN OF 2001, I WAS COMING THROUGH A MOUNTAIN PASS AT 10:30 PM. IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD AND ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT. I HAD MY WIFE AND 2 YOUNG DAUGHTERS IN THE SECOND ROW SEAT. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OVER ON, AND IN THE PITCH BLACK I THOUGHT FOR SURE WE WOULD EITHER END UP IN THE OTHER LANE AND HIT AN ONCOMING CAR OR END UP IN THE DITCH. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE CHANGED AT CAPITOL CHEVROLET IN SALEM OREGON. I HAVE THE INVOICE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS TO GO THROUGH THE SAME SITUATION AS WE DID. I AM AWARE OF THE RECALL ON CERTAIN CHEVROLET MODELS, BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE 1998 MODELS...BIG MISTAKE...IT SHOULD INCLUDE 1998'S ALSO. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10023637

90,000 miles · Jun 21, 2003
Visibility

I OWN A 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK VERY INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN ON DELAY THEY SOMETIMES DELAY, SOMETIMES WORK ON SLOW SPEED AND SOMETIMES DO NOT WORK AT ALL. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON OTHER CHEVROLET MODELS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT NOT THIS MODEL AND YEAR. CHEVROLET NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE…

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I OWN A 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK VERY INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN ON DELAY THEY SOMETIMES DELAY, SOMETIMES WORK ON SLOW SPEED AND SOMETIMES DO NOT WORK AT ALL. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON OTHER CHEVROLET MODELS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT NOT THIS MODEL AND YEAR. CHEVROLET NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE IS A FATAL OR DEBILITATING CRASH. SAFETY FIRST! *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023507

71,000 miles · Jun 16, 2003
Visibility

TODAY, WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED, MAKING VISIBILITY NEAR ZERO! RECENTLY, THE WIPERS HAVE NOT ALWAYS WORKED WHEN TURNED ON, BUT WITH PERSISTENCE THEY HAVE EVENTUALLY COME ON. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023177

66,523 miles · Jun 9, 2003
Visibility

ON 9/07/2003 AT 1140 HRS WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN IN A RAIN STORM WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE BACK, MY WIPERS FAILED TO CONTINUE WORKING. VISIBILITY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I PROCEEDED IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT A DEFECTIVE WIPER MOTOR RELAY CIRCUIT BOARD THAT GM HAS REDESIGNE…

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ON 9/07/2003 AT 1140 HRS WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN IN A RAIN STORM WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE BACK, MY WIPERS FAILED TO CONTINUE WORKING. VISIBILITY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I PROCEEDED IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT A DEFECTIVE WIPER MOTOR RELAY CIRCUIT BOARD THAT GM HAS REDESIGNED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THE UPDATED MODULE KIT AND INSTALLED THE UNIT IN LESS ONE HALF HOUR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL PROGRAM SO AS TO AVOID SERIOUS MISHAPS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10021280

121,000 miles · May 27, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL SYSTEM GAS SPOUT RUSTED WHICH CREATED FUME, THAT IS ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND MAKING THE OCCUPANT SICK. THIS COULD ALSO CAN CAUSE A FIRE DUE TO IT'S LOCATION PER CONSUMER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10021562

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLES RECALL! THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED, HE RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE A ONE MONTH AGO RECALL NUMBER#50112290 TO REPLACE FUEL JUMPER HARNESS. THE FIRST DEALER GRAFF CHEVROLET 972 263 2281 1405 EAST MAIN STREET GRAND PRAIRE TX. SECOND DEALERSHIP : VAN CHEVROLET SERVICE…

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THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLES RECALL! THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED, HE RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE A ONE MONTH AGO RECALL NUMBER#50112290 TO REPLACE FUEL JUMPER HARNESS. THE FIRST DEALER GRAFF CHEVROLET 972 263 2281 1405 EAST MAIN STREET GRAND PRAIRE TX. SECOND DEALERSHIP : VAN CHEVROLET SERVICE MANAGER FRANK SOUTH 35E CAROLLTON TX 972 389 6700. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019390

71,500 miles · May 5, 2003
Visibility

1998 SUBURBAN 2500 4X4 WIPERS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. FOR SOME REASON THEY ALMOST NEVER WORK IN THE RAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10017053

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2003
Visibility

I HAVE A 1998 SUBURBAN. I ASKED GM TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE SINCE IT HAS THE SAME DEFECTS, BUT THEY SAY NO. HOW DO I GET INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? GM RECALLS 1.77M VEHICLES. NO. 1 AUTOMAKER RECALLS '94-'97 PICKUPS, SUV'S, VANS TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARDS. MAY 1, 2003: 11:21 AM EDT. NEW YORK (CNN/MONEY) - GENERAL M…

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I HAVE A 1998 SUBURBAN. I ASKED GM TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE SINCE IT HAS THE SAME DEFECTS, BUT THEY SAY NO. HOW DO I GET INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? GM RECALLS 1.77M VEHICLES. NO. 1 AUTOMAKER RECALLS '94-'97 PICKUPS, SUV'S, VANS TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARDS. MAY 1, 2003: 11:21 AM EDT. NEW YORK (CNN/MONEY) - GENERAL MOTORS SAID THURSDAY IT WILL RECALL ABOUT 1.77 MILLION PICKUPS, SPORT/UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS PRODUCED FROM 1994 THROUGH 1997 TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARDS AND MOTOR COVERS. GM (GM: DOWN $0.77 TO $35.28, RESEARCH, ESTIMATES) CONDUCTED SIMILAR WINDSHIELD WIPER RECALLS IN 1998 AND 2003. THE COMPANY TOLD CNNFN THAT SINCE THE FIRST RECALL IN 1998, THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE CRASHES AND ONE INJURY RELATED TO THE PARTS ON THE VEHICLES BEING RECALLED, BUT NO FATALITIES. IT ADDED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO LAWSUITS STEMMING FROM THE PARTS BEING RECALLED AS FAR AS IT KNOWS. THE COMPANY SAID THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE: 1994-1997 CHEVROLET C/K AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS, CHEVROLET TAHOE AND SUBURBAN/GMC YUKON AND SUBURBAN SUV'S; 1995-1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO AND GMC SAFARI MIDSIZE VANS AND CHEVROLET/GMC FULL-SIZE CREW CABS; 1996-1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER, GMC JIMMY MIDSIZE SUV'S, CHEVROLET S10, GMC SIERRA, AND ISUZU HOMBRE SMALL PICKUPS. GM SAID IT WILL NOTIFY VEHICLE OWNERS BEGINNING THIS SUMMER AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT DEALERSHIPS AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMERS. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016899

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.