Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
225–50K
750–75K
575–100K
9100–150K
0150K+
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
What owners actually said
100 reports
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
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 · Oct 1, 2001
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REBUILT, THE CONSUMER WAS ASKING REIMBURSMENT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS CREATED BY CHANGE IN MANUFACTURING PROCESS. *YH CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER VEHICLES LIKE THESE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH LOSING REVERSE, 2ND AND 4TH GEARS, THIS BEING CAUSED BY A CHANGE IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR THE S…
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THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REBUILT, THE CONSUMER WAS ASKING REIMBURSMENT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS CREATED BY CHANGE IN MANUFACTURING PROCESS. *YH CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER VEHICLES LIKE THESE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH LOSING REVERSE, 2ND AND 4TH GEARS, THIS BEING CAUSED BY A CHANGE IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR THE SUN GEAR REACTION SHELL, DURING PRODUCTION THE RADIUS OF THE AREA ATTACHING THE SPLINES ON THE SHELL TO THE SHELL HOUSING WAS REDUCED, LEADING TO A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE SHELL. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #563590
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2001
VisibilityFire
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH SMELLED SMOKE. THEN, SAW FIRE COMING FROM DRIVER'S DOOR PANEL. STOPPED AND PUT OUT FIRE, CONSUMER STATED IT APPEARED FIRE STARTED AT MIRROR ADJUSTER ON DOOR PANEL. NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENT WAS USED PRIOR TO FIRE*AK.
NHTSA ODI #896328
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2001
Steering
VEHICLE SUDDENLY WILL VEER RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN TURNING WHEEL SLIGHTLY AT ROAD SPEED. SEEMS TO BE A SURGE IN POWER STEERING UNIT. GMC SAYS THEY HAVE ISSUED A BULLETIN ON THIS SAFETY DEFECT TO ALL DEALER SERVICE MANAGERS. CAR MUST BE TAKEN TO A DEALER AND REPAIRS PAID BY CUSTOMER IF OUT OF WARRANTY. SEE MY LETTER DATED JULY 7,…
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VEHICLE SUDDENLY WILL VEER RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN TURNING WHEEL SLIGHTLY AT ROAD SPEED. SEEMS TO BE A SURGE IN POWER STEERING UNIT. GMC SAYS THEY HAVE ISSUED A BULLETIN ON THIS SAFETY DEFECT TO ALL DEALER SERVICE MANAGERS. CAR MUST BE TAKEN TO A DEALER AND REPAIRS PAID BY CUSTOMER IF OUT OF WARRANTY. SEE MY LETTER DATED JULY 7, 2001 TO COURY BUICK, MESA, AZ, 85206. *AK
NHTSA ODI #748034
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 · May 8, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
THE SES LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY , THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD AND WOULD LAST FROM 10 DAYS TO SEVERAL WEEKS, TO DATE THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, POSSIBLY RELATED TO ENGINE OR INDICATOR LIGHT FAILURE. NLM
NHTSA ODI #560305
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2001
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #887005
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2001
Electrical System
REAR TAIL LIGHT PRINTED CIRCUIT HAS SHORTED OUT TWICE, LEAVING MELTED COMPONETS AND TOTAL REPLACEMENT OPTION.*AK
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.
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.
1998 GMC Suburban Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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