Illustration1998 CHEVY TAHOE WIRING HARNESS FROM BRAKE PEDAL. BRAKE WIRING HARNESS MOVES WITH BRAKE PEDAL MOTION (I.E. WHEN BRAKES ARE ACTIVATED). OVER TIME, THIS MOTION CAUSES WIRES TO BREAK RESULTING IN BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE. *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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
71 reports98 TAHOE, HAS ABS BRAKING ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE DURING STOPPING AND SEVERELY EXTEND THE STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIRED TO COMPLETELY STOP. PEDAL IS VERY SPONGY AND DOES NOT RESPOND LIKE IT SHOULD. MULTIPLE SHOPS HAVE STATED THE ABS IS A REPEATING ISSUE WITH THE TAHOES. HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE ACCIDENTS …
Read full complaint
98 TAHOE, HAS ABS BRAKING ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE DURING STOPPING AND SEVERELY EXTEND THE STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIRED TO COMPLETELY STOP. PEDAL IS VERY SPONGY AND DOES NOT RESPOND LIKE IT SHOULD. MULTIPLE SHOPS HAVE STATED THE ABS IS A REPEATING ISSUE WITH THE TAHOES. HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE ACCIDENTS AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE ALLOWING OTHERS TO DRIVE VEHICLE AS THEY ARE NOT USED TO THE STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIRED. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE. AT LOW SPEEDS HE EXPERIENCED UNWANTED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) ACTIVATION. THE CONDITION LEADS TO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104000.
MY HUSBAND BOUGHT OFF A PRIVATE PARTY A 1998 TAHOE, FOR A DAUGHTER. SHE HAS COMPLAINED THAT AT LESS THAN 10 MILES AN HOUR SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WILL FAIL. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THE FAILURE. I HAVE HER CAR AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT I SEE ALSO THAT AT LESS THAN 10 MILES AN HOUR SO…
Read full complaint
MY HUSBAND BOUGHT OFF A PRIVATE PARTY A 1998 TAHOE, FOR A DAUGHTER. SHE HAS COMPLAINED THAT AT LESS THAN 10 MILES AN HOUR SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WILL FAIL. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THE FAILURE. I HAVE HER CAR AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT I SEE ALSO THAT AT LESS THAN 10 MILES AN HOUR SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WILL FAIL. I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS --- SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLES BRAKING SYSTEM AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IT IS. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS AND IF SO WHAT CAN I HAVE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. I AM VERY CONCERNED WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE MY DAUGHTER DID HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN IT OCCURRED TO HER -- I WOULD SAY APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. *TR
1998 TAHOE ABS BRAKING PROBLEM. ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES AT LOW SPEED MAKING IT VERY HARD TO STOP VEHICLE SAFELY. *NM
WHEN TRAVELING 10 MPH OR UNDER THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SYSTEM STARTS MAKING IT HARD TO STOP. *JB
ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES AND CREATES DANGEROUS BRAKE SPONGINESS. I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME STOPPING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS DEALERS WHO ATTRIBUTE THE PROBLEM TO THE EXISTING RECALL ON SIMILAR GM LIGHT TRUCKS AND SUV'S RELATED TO OXIDATION/CORROSION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I WOULD LIKE THIS FIXED. *NM
WHILE TRYING TO STOP WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED MY ABS FAIL CAUSING MY VEHICLE NOT TO STOP AND IN 2 INCIDENCES WE HAVE HIT OTHER VEHICLES. SPOKE WITH DEALER AND THEY SAID ABS SENSOR IS PROBLEM. THIS IS RECALLED IN THE SAME VEHICLE IN 1999 BUT MY VEHICLE IS A 1998. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A RED LIGHT AT 5 MPH, A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. WHEN THE CONTACT WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE ABS ENGAGED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLES CRASHED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE RECEIVED NO DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAIN…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A RED LIGHT AT 5 MPH, A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. WHEN THE CONTACT WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE ABS ENGAGED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLES CRASHED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE RECEIVED NO DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO INJURIES. GM STATED BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND AMOUNT OF MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY REPAIRS, HOWEVER THEY DID PAY FOR THE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/30/06. *JB
MY 1998 CHEVY TAHOE HAS AN ABS EVENT WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES PER HOUR. THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING AT AROUND 60K MILES. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS THE MILES ACCUMULATED. CURRENTLY I HAVE 80K ON MY SUV. THIS INCREASES MY STOPPING DISTANCE AN WORRIES ME ABOUT HOW MUCH CONTROL I HAVE IF I NEED …
Read full complaint
MY 1998 CHEVY TAHOE HAS AN ABS EVENT WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES PER HOUR. THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING AT AROUND 60K MILES. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS THE MILES ACCUMULATED. CURRENTLY I HAVE 80K ON MY SUV. THIS INCREASES MY STOPPING DISTANCE AN WORRIES ME ABOUT HOW MUCH CONTROL I HAVE IF I NEED TO STOP QUICKLY. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING YET TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I JUST STARTED RESEARCHING THIS AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A LIMITED RECALL ALREADY HAPPENING ON GM SUVS AND TRUCKS FROM 1999 - 2002. I AM SCARED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE COSTS. EVERYTIME I COME TO A STOP, THE ABS KICKS ON. *NM
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.