Total Complaints
299 filings
CHEVROLET SUBURBAN · model year
299 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998CHEVROLETSUBURBAN carries 299 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 3 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 SUBURBAN is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 27 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer (13) and service brakes, hydraulic (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1998 SUBURBAN, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
299 filings
Crashes Reported
11 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 27 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 13 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 12 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 12 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 8 |
| STEERING | 7 |
| TIRES | 7 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 6 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING | 6 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 5 |
BRAKE LINE FAILED AFTER MED TO HEAVY BRAKING, LEAVING LITTLE TO NO BRAKE AS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ABS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE ABS SENSOR, THE INNER AND OUTER BEARINGS AND THE CALIBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.
Mileage: 182,000
I PURCHASED ON 11/1997 A NEW 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 3/4 TON 2500 SERIES. THE SUBURBAN HAS 38,528 ORIGINAL MILES AND HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE NEW. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN USED PRIMARILY AS A SECONDARY VEHICLE FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES. THE SUBURBAN HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN SNOW CONDITIONS ONLY 12-14 TIMES. I AM EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE BRAKE AND FUEL LINE CORROSION ON THE STEEL BRAKE/FUEL LINES, FLEXIBLE BRAKE HOSES AND CONNECTIONS. I AM VERY CONCERNED OVER THE BRAKE/FUEL LINE CORROSION ISSUEA AND HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT AN INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN INITIATED BY THE NHTSA ON 1/5/11, NHTSA INVESTIGATION FILE NO. EA11001. *TR
Mileage: 38,528
I PURCHASED ON 11/1997 A NEW 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 3/4 TON 2500 SERIES. THE SUBURBAN HAS 38,528 ORIGINAL MILES AND HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE NEW. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN USED PRIMARILY AS A SECONDARY VEHICLE FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES. THE SUBURBAN HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN SNOW CONDITIONS ONLY 12-14 TIMES. I AM EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE BRAKE AND FUEL LINE CORROSION ON THE STEEL BRAKE/FUEL LINES, FLEXIBLE BRAKE HOSES AND CONNECTIONS. I AM VERY CONCERNED OVER THE BRAKE/FUEL LINE CORROSION ISSUEA AND HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT AN INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN INITIATED BY THE NHTSA ON 1/5/11, NHTSA INVESTIGATION FILE NO. EA11001. *TR
Mileage: 38,528
1. HARD STOP TO AVOID HITTING WILDLIFE. GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. 2. AFTER THE BRAKES HOLDING FOR A SECOND OR TWO THE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. AFTER THAT ONLY 1/4 BRAKE POWER. ONCE HOME, OBSERVED BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM CORRODED BRAKE LINES. 3. I WILL NEED TO REVIEW COST OF SERVICE. *TR
Mileage: 90,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE LINKAGE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY AND THE INTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE WAS DEFECTIVE. CHEVROLET STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE WARRANTY ALERTS ON THE DOORS, INCLUDING ONE FOR THE DOOR KNOB REMAINING OPEN DUE TO THE DETAIL BRACKET NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND A NOTICE REGARDING THE SUBURBAN DOOR HANDLES BEING DIFFICULT TO OPEN BECAUSE THE STRUCTURE WAS PRODUCED INCORRECTLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,083.
Mileage: 72,083
SPEED VARIATION, AND SOMETIMES CEASE, OF OPERATION OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS. POSSIBLE DISCREPANCY WITH TURN SIGNAL LEVER, SEEMS TO BE AFFECTED BY, AND SOMETIMES CORRECTED WITH WIGGLING WITH THE LEVER. *JB
Mileage: 103,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND APPLYING THE BRAKES UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES INCREASED IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A NHTSA RECALL # 05V379000 REGARDING SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Mileage: 144,000
WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT AT VARIOUS TIMES. SOMETIMES WORK SOMETIMES NOT, SOMETIMES QUIT IN MIDDLE OF USE. *JB
EACH REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD HAD TO BE REPLACED. THESE OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT TIMES (APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS APART). NOW, ABOUT A YEAR LATER, THE RIGHT REAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THIS WAS FOUND DUE TO THE BLINKER AND BRAKE LIGHT FAILING, SO I SWITCHED THE BULB FROM THE OTHER SIDE, WITH THE EXACT SAME RESULTS, SO I KNOW IT IS THE CIRCUIT AND NOT A BAD BULB. *JB
Mileage: 100,000
MY 1998 SUBURBAN HAD SAME REPAIR DONE ON THE ABS BRAKES THAT CURRENT RECALL IS OUT FOR 1999-2002 AND GM IS SAYING THE PART ON 99-2000 RECALL IS NOT THE PART ON MY 98 SUBURBAN. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS THE SAME RECALL PART AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO REIMBURSE ME FOR REPAIRS I PAID FOR BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. *JB
Mileage: 56,000
CATASTROHIC LOSS OF ENTIRE BREAKING SYSTEM DUE TO BURSTING OF BRAKE LINES WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE; DEALER REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM OWING TO SERVELY RUSTED PARTS THROUGHOUT; MECHANICAL EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM REQUIRED SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS TO STOP VEHICLE; VEHICLE HAD BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED SINCE NEW WITH MOST RECENT SERVICE JUST 2 MONTHS BEFORE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE; HAD VEHICLE BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED POSSIBLE FATAL CONSEQUENCES; POSSIBLE ISSUE OF DESIGN/COMPONENT DEFECT
Mileage: 114,000
DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ABS BRAKES KICKING IN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE SERVICE BRAKES AND ABS WILL NOT HOLD WHEN THE ABS KICKS IN. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2004. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED AND GREASED THE BRAKES. THEY MACHINED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE LEFT UPPER ARM BUSHING. AND THEY CHECKED THE ABS SENSORS. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. WHEN SHE CONTACTED THEM THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IT STARTED GETTING WORSE IN JULY OF 2005. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR BUSHINGS AND AN IDLE ARM. THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. SHE TOOK IT BACK TO THEM. THEY REPLACED TWO REAR DRUMS, THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, THE U JOINTS, AND T TIGHTENED THE TRANSFER CASE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. A RECALL FOR THE 2000 MODELS WAS ISSUED. WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID THAT THIS MODEL YEAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD TO HAVE THE SERVICE BRAKES REPLACED BEFORE.
Mileage: 100,000
DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ABS BRAKES KICKING IN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE SERVICE BRAKES AND ABS WILL NOT HOLD WHEN THE ABS KICKS IN. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2004. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED AND GREASED THE BRAKES. THEY MACHINED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE LEFT UPPER ARM BUSHING. AND THEY CHECKED THE ABS SENSORS. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. WHEN SHE CONTACTED THEM THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IT STARTED GETTING WORSE IN JULY OF 2005. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR BUSHINGS AND AN IDLE ARM. THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. SHE TOOK IT BACK TO THEM. THEY REPLACED TWO REAR DRUMS, THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, THE U JOINTS, AND T TIGHTENED THE TRANSFER CASE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. A RECALL FOR THE 2000 MODELS WAS ISSUED. WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID THAT THIS MODEL YEAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD TO HAVE THE SERVICE BRAKES REPLACED BEFORE.
Mileage: 100,000
DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ABS BRAKES KICKING IN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE SERVICE BRAKES AND ABS WILL NOT HOLD WHEN THE ABS KICKS IN. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2004. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED AND GREASED THE BRAKES. THEY MACHINED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE LEFT UPPER ARM BUSHING. AND THEY CHECKED THE ABS SENSORS. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. WHEN SHE CONTACTED THEM THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IT STARTED GETTING WORSE IN JULY OF 2005. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR BUSHINGS AND AN IDLE ARM. THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. SHE TOOK IT BACK TO THEM. THEY REPLACED TWO REAR DRUMS, THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, THE U JOINTS, AND T TIGHTENED THE TRANSFER CASE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. A RECALL FOR THE 2000 MODELS WAS ISSUED. WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID THAT THIS MODEL YEAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD TO HAVE THE SERVICE BRAKES REPLACED BEFORE.
Mileage: 100,000
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEGAN HAVING FAILURES AT VERY LOW SPEEDS(UNDER 10 MPH) WHEN THE VEHICLE(1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE) WAS COMING TO A FULL STOP AT THE END OF THE DRIVE OR WHEN PULLING TO A STOP. THIS WAS OCCURRING OVER & OVER MORE MORE THAN A MONTH. I CONTACTED WHITE-ALLEN CHEVOLET IN DAYTON OHIO AND THE SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED THE GM ZONE MANAGER AND GM WOULD NOT WARRANTY THIS REPAIR SAYING THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL YEARS FOR THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE RECALL ISSUED FOR THE SAME VEHICLE 1999-2002 ( MINE IS 1998). I FINALLY HAD TO HAVE IT DONE STRICTLY BECAUSE OF MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY THE DAY I MADE THE APPOINTMENT MY DAUGHTER AND I ALMOST GLIDED INTO TRAFFIC COMING TO A STOP WHILE TAKING HER TO SCHOOL. THE ZONE MANAGER RESPONSE TO OUR CLAIM WAS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THEY WILL NOT HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE AS PART OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURE IS THE SAME DEFECT
I EXPERIENCED THE BRAKING ISSUE DESCRIBED IN RECALL 05V379000. ON THE DATE BELOW, I NARROWLY AVOIDED A CRASH WITH CHILDREN IN THE VICINITY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN MN SINCE PURCHASE TO ME AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS BRAKING ISSUE 3 OR SO TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR. *NM
Mileage: 58,000
1) NEAR CRASHES HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN ERRATIC CONDITION IN THE STEERING. CALLED GM NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND GAVE ALL INFORMATION AND WAS PROMISED SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT ME. (NEVER HAPPENED) 2 OTHER FAMILIES HERE IN ROCHESTER HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE AND THE SAME PROBLEM. 2) UPON TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE WHEEL ITSELF SUDDENLY FREE-WHEELS SEVERAL INCHES. THIS RAPIDLY ACCELERATES THE DEGREE OF TURN AND MAKES THE DRIVER FEEL AS IF THEY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE OFTEN SWERVES OUT OF CONTROL. 3) I BROUGHT IT TO 2 DEALERS HERE IN ROCHESTER AND NEITHER WAS ABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM ON A TEST DRIVE. THE PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT WILL SCARE THE LIVING OUT OF YOU, AND THE DRIVER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAVE ALL BUT LOST CONTROL ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. A FRIEND OF MINE WHO ALSO HAS A SUBURBAN SAID HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND FINALLY SOMEONE SUGGESTED REPLACING SOMETHING CALLED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST? WE HAVE A 98' S
Mileage: 70,000
BRAKES SHAKE AND VIBRATE WHEN BRAKING. ON OCCASION, BRAKES FAILED AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. MECHANIC INSPECTED FOUND "NO PROBLEM" WITH BRAKES. THE LAST INCIDENT WITH THE BRAKES RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN MORE THAN ENOUGH DISTANCE WAS GIVEN FOR STOPPING.
STOPPED ON ROADWAY TO PICK UP A PART THAT HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE TRUCK TRAVELING IN FRONT OF ME. I PUT MY 1998 CHEVY SUBURBAN IN PARK AND POPPED THE REAR HATCH. I REMEMBER HEARING THE REAR HATCH CLICK AND NOW REALIZE THAT THE HATCH WON'T RELEASE UNLESS THE TRUCK IS IN PARK. I WALKED BEHIND MY TRUCK TO PICK UP THE PART. AFTER I PICKED IT UP, I WAS KNOCKED DOWN BY THE FORCE OF MY TRUCK. THE TRUCK MUST HAVE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AFTER I'D PUT IT IN PARK. I RECENTLY READ ABOUT A SIMILAR INCIDENT IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER, WHERE THIS HAPPENED TO SOMEONE ELSE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE TRUCK ROLLED OVER ME, AND I WAS TRAPPED UNDER IT. A MAN CAME AND DROVE THE TRUCK OFF ME. I SUFFERED A DEEP CUT TO THE BACK OF MY HEAD, THE MEAT WAS RIPPED OFF MY LEG, I SHATTERED THE T-12 VERTEBRA IN MY BACK AND THE DISKS ABOVE AND BELOW WERE COMPRESSED.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.