IllustrationWHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF OWN THEIR OWN. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND ALSO THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
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
Visibility complaints
50 reportsWE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED IN MARCH WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT COME ON. ON JUNE 2, 2004 I WAS DRIVING IN A VERY SEVERE STORM ON THE TURNER TURNPIKE WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THEY CAME BACK ON AND WORKED INTERMITTENTLY ON THAT TRIP TO NORMAN. THEY HAVE WORKED ONLY…
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WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED IN MARCH WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT COME ON. ON JUNE 2, 2004 I WAS DRIVING IN A VERY SEVERE STORM ON THE TURNER TURNPIKE WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THEY CAME BACK ON AND WORKED INTERMITTENTLY ON THAT TRIP TO NORMAN. THEY HAVE WORKED ONLY INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THEN. THEY USUALLY WILL WORK WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING BUT NOT WHILE IT IS RAINING NOW. THE FIRST TIME I WAS IN VERY HEAVY RAIN THAT EVEN WITH THE WIPERS WORKING I HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT HAD I NOT BEEN SUCH A GOOD DRIVER AND REACTED THE WAY I HAD.*AK
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OF OUR 1998 TAHOE STOPPED WORKING. SOMETIMES WE WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THEM TO GET THEM STARTED, OTHER TIMES WE WOULD HAVE TO JIGGLE THE WIRING TO GET THEM GOING. THEY WOULD SOMETIMES WORK FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP, OTHER TIMES THEY WOULD STOP EVERY FEW MINUTES. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY TO WHEN THEY WILL …
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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OF OUR 1998 TAHOE STOPPED WORKING. SOMETIMES WE WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THEM TO GET THEM STARTED, OTHER TIMES WE WOULD HAVE TO JIGGLE THE WIRING TO GET THEM GOING. THEY WOULD SOMETIMES WORK FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP, OTHER TIMES THEY WOULD STOP EVERY FEW MINUTES. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY TO WHEN THEY WILL WORK. WE WERE STRANDED OUT OF TOWN IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 94-97 RECALL AND NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED. I SPOKE WITH CHEVROLET AND A LOCAL DEALER. BOTH ACTED LIKE THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL I MENTIONED THE PRIOR RECALL, THEN THEY JUST SAID WE WERE NOT COVERED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND CHRVROLET NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM. *JB
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. CONSUMER'S SPOUSE, WHO WAS AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC, COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER WAS CONSULTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. *AK
WHILE DRIVING FROM BOERNE, TX TO DALLAS, TX THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAINSTORM WHILE ON HIGHWAY. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN TWO OTHER RECALLS BY GM ON 1994-1997 AND 2002-2003 SUVS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM; WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE FAILURE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY STOPPED OPERATING, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. *AK *MR
I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 1998 TAHOE AS WAS RECALLED ON THE 1994-1997 VEHICLES IN REGARD TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD ON MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALER ON THE ISSUE, THERE HAVE BEEN JUST AS MANY 1998'S AS EARLIER MODEL PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE GM RECALL THIS VEHICLE FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE.…
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I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 1998 TAHOE AS WAS RECALLED ON THE 1994-1997 VEHICLES IN REGARD TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD ON MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALER ON THE ISSUE, THERE HAVE BEEN JUST AS MANY 1998'S AS EARLIER MODEL PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE GM RECALL THIS VEHICLE FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. I WAS IN A RAIN STORM BEHIND A TRUCK, I PULLED OVER, ALMOST GETTING HIT. I COULD NOT SEE AT ALL. THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF RIGHT AWAY.*AK
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
STEERING WHEEL JERKS AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT LIKE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF CONTROL. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
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.