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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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53,175 miles · Aug 31, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

23 DECEMBER 2003, WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC MY TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL. I CAME WITHIN INCHES OF REAR-ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. RIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE, NO WARNING, THE SAME SITUATION, THE PEDAL WENT RIGHT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE NEXT MORNING I CALLED LANNAN. THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT I COULD GET WAS FOR …

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23 DECEMBER 2003, WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC MY TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL. I CAME WITHIN INCHES OF REAR-ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. RIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE, NO WARNING, THE SAME SITUATION, THE PEDAL WENT RIGHT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE NEXT MORNING I CALLED LANNAN. THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT I COULD GET WAS FOR FRIDAY, 2 JANUARY 2004. 2 JANUARY 2004, WHILE DRIVING TO LANNAN, IN WOBURN SQUARE, I NEARLY HIT A LADY WHO STEPPED OUT IN FRONT OF MY TRUCK, WHILE SHE WAS IN THE CROSSWALK. I RECEIVED THE ''EVIL EYE'' OF A POLICEMAN STANDING NEARBY. AT LANNAN, I WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE PRO, MR. O''MALLEY THAT THE PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES WAS DUE TO A DIRTY ABS SENSOR. I READ (ENCLOSED) SERVICE BULLETIN #02-05-25-006A. SEE ENCLOSED LANNAN INVOICE #CTCS203241. I PAID $278.25 TO CLEAN OFF THE RUST. I CAN NOT APPRECIATE WHY AN ABS SENSOR (RESPONSIBLE FOR STOPPING LARGE VEHICLES SAFELY) IS MOUNTED ON A CORROSIVE MATERIAL THAT WILL EVENTUALLY DEGRADE SENSOR COMMUNICATION. THIS DEGRADATION PREVENTS LARGE VEHICLES FROM STOPPING AT ALL '' THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I CANNOT APPRECIATE WHY THERE IS NO WARNING TO THE DRIVER WHEN THE ABS SENSOR COMMUNICATION IS IMPAIRED. I CANNOT APPRECIATE WHY I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER. ALL THOSE PEOPLE DRIVING ALL OF THOSE LISTED VEHICLES COULD INFLICT ALL KINDS OF DAMAGE AND INJURY TO OTHERS BECAUSE OF IMPAIRED ABS SENSOR COMMUNICATION. WHY IS THERE NO SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON THOSE SENSORS? IS THERE A RECALL? SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL? ARE YOU RETROFITTING? THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THOSE LISTED VEHICLES SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER. WHAT TYPE OF ABS SENSORS ARE YOU USING ON THE OTHER VEHICLES IN YOUR FLEET? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT A PREDICAMENT I WOULD BE IN TODAY IF I HIT THAT LADY? AT MY TRIAL, HOW WELL WOULD IT BE RECEIVED WHEN THEY READ ABOUT THE ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS? IT WOULD NOT HELP THAT LADY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN LYING UNDER MY 5,000 LBS TRUCK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10134928

52,033 miles · Aug 31, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKES SYSTEM ROAD GRIME WEDGED INTO PLASTIC PIECE COVERING THE ABS SENSOR CAUSING SALT CORROSION AND IMPROPER ACTIVATION OF THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10134902

50,000 miles · May 18, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

A CURRENT INVESTIGATION ESISTS (PE05-020) FOR UNWANTED ABS BRAKE ACTIVATION ON MODEL YEAR 1999 - 02 GM C/K SERIES VEHICLES IN SALT BELT STATES. THIS INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE FURTHER EXPANDED TO INCLUDE, AT LEAST, MODEL YEAR 1998 AS THIS CONDITION IS ALSO EXHIBITED IN THIS VEHICLE. REFERENCE VEHICLE IS A 1998 CHEVROLET T…

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A CURRENT INVESTIGATION ESISTS (PE05-020) FOR UNWANTED ABS BRAKE ACTIVATION ON MODEL YEAR 1999 - 02 GM C/K SERIES VEHICLES IN SALT BELT STATES. THIS INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE FURTHER EXPANDED TO INCLUDE, AT LEAST, MODEL YEAR 1998 AS THIS CONDITION IS ALSO EXHIBITED IN THIS VEHICLE. REFERENCE VEHICLE IS A 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH 63,000 MILES. CONDITION HAS EXISTED FOR MORE THAN 2 YEARS. DURING THIS TIME REPAIRS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, WHICH WERE EFFECTIVE FOR LESS THAN A YEAR. PROBLEM CONDITION HAS RETURNED. PROBLEM HAS RESULTED IN MINOR CONTACT WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND OBJECTS IN THAT A DRIVER CAN NOT PREDICT WHEN THE PROBLEM WILL OCCUR AND BRAKING DISTANCE IS EXTENDED EVEN ON DRY PAVEMENT. SITUATION IS WORSENED WHEN IN "REVERSE" AND PROBLEM OCCURS.

NHTSA ODI #10121269

58,000 miles · May 11, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FALSES AT 6 MPH. NO DIFFERENCE IF ACCELERATING OR DE-ACCELERATING. IN THE BEGINNING THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTEN, BUT WITH TIME THE FREQUENCY OF FALSING INCREASED. FINALLY A TROUBLE CODE SET INDICATING THE RIGHT FRONT SENSOR. AFTER FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURES IN THE SECOND EDITION OF THE C/K TRUCK SERVCE MANUAL I…

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ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FALSES AT 6 MPH. NO DIFFERENCE IF ACCELERATING OR DE-ACCELERATING. IN THE BEGINNING THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTEN, BUT WITH TIME THE FREQUENCY OF FALSING INCREASED. FINALLY A TROUBLE CODE SET INDICATING THE RIGHT FRONT SENSOR. AFTER FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURES IN THE SECOND EDITION OF THE C/K TRUCK SERVCE MANUAL IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT SENSOR DIDN'T PASS THE MV TEST. THE SENSOR WAS REPALCED W/A SENSOR FROM A GM DEALERSHIP. THE SENSOR DIDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AFTER FOLLOWING THE SERVICE MANUAL IT DIRECTS YOU TO REPLACE EBCM AFTER ADDITIONAL TESTING. A EBCM WAS PURCHASED AT A GM DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DID PROGRAM IN THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE. THE FALSING AT 6 MPH CONTIUNES WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. A SCAN TOOL WAS PLUGGED IN WITH THE FOLLOWING RESULTS: ALL THREE (3) SENSORS, THE LEFT, RIGHT SENSOR, AND THE REAR WHEEL THROUGH THE ECM. ALL THREE (3) SENSORS READ THE SAME UNTIL 6 MPH IS REACHED AT WHICH TIME THE LEFT FRONT SENSOR WILL SUDDENLY SHOW 3 MPH WITH THE OTHER TWO (2) SENSORS WILL STILL SHOW 6 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK FALSES. WHEN THE SPEED CHEANGES EITHER > OR < 6 MPH, THE FALSING STOPS. THE FALSING OCCURRS WITH BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED OR NOT. THE MV TEST INDICATED THE LEFT FRONT SENSOR WAS WITHIN SPEC'S W/A MV READ OF 129. THE LEFT FRONT SENSOR WAS REPLACED ONCE AGAIN PURCHASED FROM A GM DEALERSHIP. THE FALSING CONTINUES AND THE TEST ABOVE WITH THE SCAN TOOL WAS REPEATED WITH SAME RESULTS. THE ANTI-LOCK DOES OPERATE CORRECTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND A WHEEL SLIP TAKES PLACE. YOUR GM DEALERSHIP CAN'T REALLY HELP WITHOUT CHANGING MORE COMPONETS. THE PROBLEM EXISTS TODAY. NUMBER OF FAILURES: EVERY TIME 6 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #10120726

86,000 miles · May 3, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE AND I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT THE 1999'S ARE THAT YOU JUST RECALLED. WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP AT SLOW SPEED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP FOR A COUPLE OF FEET. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND NOT ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10119651

118,000 miles · May 3, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONTACT STATES; ABS SYSTEM. AT LOW SPEEDS THE ABS THE PUMP OR SOMETHING ENGAGES CREATING A SOFT SENSATION IN THE PEDAL, AND IT DOESN'T STOP CORRECTLY. IT WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, BUT IS NOW ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10119583

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

COMPLAINT REGARDING FRONT BRAKE ROTOR SEPARATION ON 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE.*MR THE ROTORS SEPARATED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INDICATED THAT THE SEPARATION OCCURED DUE TO AGE AND/OR WEAR. THE ROTOR SEPARATED AT THE STEEL HUB SECTION ATTACHED TO THE CAST IRON SECTION AND BLEW AP…

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COMPLAINT REGARDING FRONT BRAKE ROTOR SEPARATION ON 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE.*MR THE ROTORS SEPARATED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INDICATED THAT THE SEPARATION OCCURED DUE TO AGE AND/OR WEAR. THE ROTOR SEPARATED AT THE STEEL HUB SECTION ATTACHED TO THE CAST IRON SECTION AND BLEW APART. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10117761

93,000 miles · Sep 25, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR/HUBS FAILED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL #98V033000. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10040603

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 98V033000 CONCERNING BRAKE:DISC:ROTORS. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10037760

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING ABS WOULD STICK, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10031248

Official recalls

2

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.

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

2

PE01023 · 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.