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
What owners actually said
263 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 …
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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.
KEEP REPLACING MY WIPERS BLADE AND WIRES, DON'T KNOW IF IT BEEN RECALL OR THERE SOMETHING WRONG, IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN, IT DON'T WANT TO WORK. 1998 TAHOE CHEVY. *TR
I WAS IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *TR
I OWN A 1998 CHEVY TAHOE 2 DR 4WD. IT HAD 114,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND THE MOTOR WAS RUINED REQUIRING A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN ABUSED. MAINTENANCE WAS REGULAR. I'VE NOW FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON DESIGN DEFECT LEADING TO FAILURE. I NOW BUY MAZDA OR TOYOTA VEHICLES. *TR
1998 CHEVY TAHOE LOOSE STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN GOING THRU A SLIGHT CURVE IT FEELS AS THOUGH YOU HIT A PATCH OF ICE. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A SLIGHT JERK THAT SCARES THE LIFE OUT OF YOU. REPLACED STEERING SENSOR, STEERING BOX, ENTIRE FRONT END AND IT STILL DOES IT..THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED THE DEFECT AND CALLED CHEVROLET AND GM. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
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…
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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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE ADJUSTING THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT CAME OFF TRACK AROUND THE FLOOR BOLTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
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.