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1998 GMC Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
100Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
227
1995172
1996200
1997100
1998285
199915
20005
2001
Compare all Suburban years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
26Visibility
17Electrical System
16Power Train
15Tires
11
All reported categories
Steering
7Engine And Engine Cooling
5Fuel System, Gasoline
4Seat Belts
4Equipment
3Seats
3Service Brakes, Air
3Unknown Or Other
3Latches/locks/linkages
2Structure
2Suspension
2Air Bags
1Fuel System, Other
1Interior Lighting
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

26 reports with mileage · 74 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 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2005
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

WIRING TO THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP CAN OVER HEAT (AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE) WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAILS. THIS WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE FUEL PUMP IS IN A FAILED (LOCKED) CONDITION WHILE POWER IS APPLIED TO THE PUMP. THE ELECTRICAL CURRENT DRAW IS HIGHER THAN THE RATING OF THE WIRING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10142512

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

FIRE THEN SMOKE COMING FROM WIRE HARNESS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10080650

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

NAR 04/28/2003. MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL, ENGINE IDLED ROUGHLY, COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKED, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOME LIGHT, STEERING, THE REAR AXLE, THE LEFT REAR GLASS RATTLED, THE AIR CONDITION, BATTERY, SUSPENSION WERE ALL INOPERATIVE. THE FUEL FILTER, MIRROR TRANSM…

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NAR 04/28/2003. MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL, ENGINE IDLED ROUGHLY, COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKED, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOME LIGHT, STEERING, THE REAR AXLE, THE LEFT REAR GLASS RATTLED, THE AIR CONDITION, BATTERY, SUSPENSION WERE ALL INOPERATIVE. THE FUEL FILTER, MIRROR TRANSMISSION SEAT, SEAT BELTS, WIPERS, ALTERNATOR, BRAKES, FUEL PUMP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10017745

68,100 miles · Apr 25, 2003
Electrical System

THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL POST BROKE LOOSE FROM THE BATTERY, SPILLING BATTERY ACID ON THE BRAKE TUBING. DISCUSSED BATTERY FAILURE WITH GM AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE BATTERY DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10016514

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2001
Electrical System

1998, GMC, SUBURBAN, REPLACEMENT BATTERY LEAKS ONTO RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BRAKE HOSE, CORRODING THE FITTING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE SECOND BATTERY THAT HAS FAILED.*SLC

NHTSA ODI #898427

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2001
Electrical System

LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET HAD A SHORT FOR SECOND TIME. WHOLE SOCKET HAS TO BE REPLACED. WORKED FOR 2 WEEKS, AND IT SHORTED OUT AGAIN. PART COST $60 EACH TIME. *AK DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL, HOWEVER THEY HAD BEEN REPLACING A LOT OF THESE PARTS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #889925

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2001
Electrical System

REAR TAIL LIGHT PRINTED CIRCUIT HAS SHORTED OUT TWICE, LEAVING MELTED COMPONETS AND TOTAL REPLACEMENT OPTION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #741529

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2001
Electrical System

FRONT POST OF BATTERY LEAKS, POSTIVE SIDE, CORRODES ELECTRICAL CABLES, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877572

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2000
Electrical System

COULDN'T START VEHICLE. ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE OEM DELCO BATTERY WITH NEW BATTERY AND FOUND ACID HAD LEAKED FROM POSITIVE SIDE TERMINAL, TOTALLY CORRODING BATTERY BOLT, TERMINAL AND CABLES. ACID HAD LEAKED ONTO HIGH PRESSURE A/C LINE, ELECTRICAL WIRING AND BRAKE LINES, CORRODING THEM. SIGNIFICANT CORROSION ON BODY METAL. REP…

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COULDN'T START VEHICLE. ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE OEM DELCO BATTERY WITH NEW BATTERY AND FOUND ACID HAD LEAKED FROM POSITIVE SIDE TERMINAL, TOTALLY CORRODING BATTERY BOLT, TERMINAL AND CABLES. ACID HAD LEAKED ONTO HIGH PRESSURE A/C LINE, ELECTRICAL WIRING AND BRAKE LINES, CORRODING THEM. SIGNIFICANT CORROSION ON BODY METAL. REPAIR ESTIMATES RUN IN EXCESS OF $500. NEGOTIATING WITH GMC FOR REPAIRS UNDER A PRODUCTS LIABILITY CLAIM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #737708

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2000
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

DURING SUMMER OF 1999, I NOTICED BATTERY ACID RESIDUE BELOW BATTERY ON LINES AND WIRES. CLEANED OFF WITH OIL. BRAKES WERE MUSHY. IN OCTOBER, 2000 BRAKES SLOWED VEHICLE BUT REQUIRED ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO STOP. NOTICED ADDITIONAL BATTERY ACID BUILD UP ON LINES AND WIRING. BRAKES FAILED NOV. 22, 2000. ADDED BRAKE FLUID. VE…

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DURING SUMMER OF 1999, I NOTICED BATTERY ACID RESIDUE BELOW BATTERY ON LINES AND WIRES. CLEANED OFF WITH OIL. BRAKES WERE MUSHY. IN OCTOBER, 2000 BRAKES SLOWED VEHICLE BUT REQUIRED ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO STOP. NOTICED ADDITIONAL BATTERY ACID BUILD UP ON LINES AND WIRING. BRAKES FAILED NOV. 22, 2000. ADDED BRAKE FLUID. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON NOV. 28, 2000. POSITIVE BATTERY POST SEPARATED FROM BATTERY. SPENT TWO HOURS REMOVING BROKEN-OFF BATTERY FROM BATTERY BOLT,CABLES AND INSTALLING BATTERY. POURED BAKING SODA WATER ON AFFECTED AREA OF LINES AND WIRES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737081

Official recalls

2

03V093000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.