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
What owners actually said
263 reports
75,000 miles · Sep 5, 2003
Visibility
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…
Read full complaint
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 PROBLEM TO AVOID ANY FUTURE FATALITIES IN RAIM STORMS.
NHTSA ODI #10037276
78,797 miles · Sep 3, 2003
Power Train
PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE @ 78,797 MILES ON 1998 CHEVROLET, TAHOE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10037145
95,425 miles · Aug 29, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WATER PUMP STARTE TO LEAK AFTER 2 YEARS WITH A REPLACEMENT FROM THE DEALERSHIP.GASKET ORIGINALLY WAS CORRODED FROM THE DEXOL COOLANT. THIS TIME THE METAL HOUSING FOR THE WATER PUMP DEVELOPED A HOLE JUST BELOW THE SHAFT, LARGE ENOUGH FOR A PENCIL TO BE INSERTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10036850
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 · Aug 19, 2003
Visibility
WINDHIELD WIPERS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. YEAR NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033123
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2003
Exterior LightingVisibility
DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING. ALSO, REAR TAIL LIGHTS DIDN'T LIGHT UP. BULBS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10034100
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2003
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING FRONT END AXLE CAME OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033613
67,000 miles · Aug 7, 2003
Power Train
SLIP IN THE DRIVETRAIN WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. I HAVE TAKEN MY 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE TO A CERTIFIED DEALER AND CURRENTLY THERE IS NOT A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SEVERE CONCERN TO ME AS I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10031034
64,843 miles · Aug 7, 2003
Visibility
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK *CB *JB
NHTSA ODI #10029727
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
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.
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.
1998 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year