NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
15 reportsClear category filter97,000 miles · Jul 16, 2004
Power Train
1998 SUBURBAN W/ 4L60E TRANSMISSION, SHIFTING HARD 1-2 AND 2-3. RESEARCH SHOWS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM OF MANUFACTURER ADDRESSES UNDER GM TECH SERV BULLETIN 01-07-30-023B. FURTHER, INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THAT PROBLEM IS MANUFACTURERS DESIGN ERROR, AND THAT ONLY PERMANENT FIX IS TO USE AN AFTERMARKET SUPPLIERS RE-DESIGNED REPLAC…
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1998 SUBURBAN W/ 4L60E TRANSMISSION, SHIFTING HARD 1-2 AND 2-3. RESEARCH SHOWS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM OF MANUFACTURER ADDRESSES UNDER GM TECH SERV BULLETIN 01-07-30-023B. FURTHER, INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THAT PROBLEM IS MANUFACTURERS DESIGN ERROR, AND THAT ONLY PERMANENT FIX IS TO USE AN AFTERMARKET SUPPLIERS RE-DESIGNED REPLACEMENT PART. CURRENTLY, I AM IN THE POSITION OF HAVING TO SEEK REPAIR AT ESTIMATED COSTS RANGING FROM $1800-2800 FROM LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10081201
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER AN HOUR OF DRIVING.*MR. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE CAME TO A STOP AND THEN PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE JERKED EXTREMELY HARD. *JB *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10042634
99,400 miles · Sep 11, 2003
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1998 GMC SURBURBAN FAILED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER AND ANOTHER TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAS BEEN COMMON TO THE 1997-98 GMC AND CHEVROLET SURBURBANS, TAHOES AND COMPARABLE VEHICLES. IT IS NOT FAIR TO CONSUMERS FOR AN AUTO MAKER TO KNOW ABOUT SEVERE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH VEHI…
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THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1998 GMC SURBURBAN FAILED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER AND ANOTHER TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAS BEEN COMMON TO THE 1997-98 GMC AND CHEVROLET SURBURBANS, TAHOES AND COMPARABLE VEHICLES. IT IS NOT FAIR TO CONSUMERS FOR AN AUTO MAKER TO KNOW ABOUT SEVERE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH VEHICLES AND NOT ISSUE A RECALL OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. OF THE 86 COMPLAINTS LISTED ON YOUR WEBSITE FOR THIS MODEL, 7 INVOLVED AND OTHERS INVOLVED THE DRIVETRAIN WHICH CAN BE AN ASSOCIATED PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10038710
92,000 miles · May 12, 2003
Power Train
1998 GMC SUBURBAN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. OUR VEHICLE WAS SPECIAL ORDERED FROM GMAC IN 1997. THE ISSUES IN OUR TRANSMISSION STARTED LATE LAST SUMMER, 2002. THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE "BUMP" WHEN STARTING FROM A STANDSTILL AND GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEARS. AS STATED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS THIS IS OUR FAMILY VEHICLE TRAN…
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1998 GMC SUBURBAN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. OUR VEHICLE WAS SPECIAL ORDERED FROM GMAC IN 1997. THE ISSUES IN OUR TRANSMISSION STARTED LATE LAST SUMMER, 2002. THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE "BUMP" WHEN STARTING FROM A STANDSTILL AND GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEARS. AS STATED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS THIS IS OUR FAMILY VEHICLE TRANSPORTING OR 3 SMALL CHILDREN. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10018538
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
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2002
Latches/locks/linkagesPower TrainSeat Belts
WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE, ALSO THERE WAS A MOLD PROBLEM, THE DEALER TRIED TO REMEDY PROBLEM BY SPRAYING A CHEMICAL INSIDE THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE ODOR WAS STILL THERE, THE REAR TRANSFER CASE AND DOOR LOCK WAS REPLACED, AND THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT WAS READJUSTED. TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #8023676
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2002
Power Train
BEGAN SHIFTING HARD FROM 1-2 AND 3-4. DOES SO AFTER DRIVING. CAN STOP AND TURN OFF ENGINE AND IT WILL STOP FOR A WHILE. I HAVE READ MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. 3 AND 4 TRANSMISSIONS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND SAME THING OCCURS AFTER 10-20,000 MILES. LOCAL DEALER SAYS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT GMC WILL NOT COVER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #761222
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2002
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON DASH. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT. WHEN SLOWING DOWN TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO GEAR VERY HARD. ACCIDENT OCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8003950
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2002
Power Train
THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILED ABRUPTLY WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE SPEED, THE MECHANIC THAT REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION REPORTED TO THE CONSUMER THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPAIR AND THE …
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THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILED ABRUPTLY WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE SPEED, THE MECHANIC THAT REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION REPORTED TO THE CONSUMER THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPAIR AND THE EXPENSE OF THE RENTAL CAR HER FAMILY REQUIRED DURING THE TIME OF REPAIR. NLM
NHTSA ODI #564165
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2001
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A CHANGE IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS ADMITTED BY GMC. THEY ARE AWARE THAT ON 1997-1999 MODELS OF THE SUBURBAN ( AND POSSIBLY OTHER GMC MODELS?) THE 4L60E TRANSMISSION WILL SUFFER A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE SUN GEAR REACTION SHELL, CAUSING THE LOSS OF REVERSE, 2ND AND 4TH GEARS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #753924
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