Total Complaints
315 filings
CHEVROLET TAHOE · model year
315 NHTSA complaints, 24 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998CHEVROLETTAHOE carries 315 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 24 crashes, 7 fires, 16 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 TAHOE is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 43 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer (26) and visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (18). 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 TAHOE, 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
315 filings
Crashes Reported
24 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 | 43 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 26 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 18 |
| STEERING | 14 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 12 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 9 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 9 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 8 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 8 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 7 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 5 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 5 |
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.
Mileage: 240,000
DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE SHORTLY AFTER USE (SEVERAL HOURS). A LIGHT RAIN STORM CAME WHILE THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN. SOME RAIN ENTERED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, SOME WATER LIKELY GOT INTO THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THIS ALL HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE CURB AND IGNITION WAS OFF. I TOWELED OFF THE INTERIOR AND SWITCH ASSEMBLY OFF, IT DIDN'T APPEAR MUCH WATER ENTERED THE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND "OFF" THIS WHOLE TIME. I TURNED IGNITION ON TO ROLL WINDOWS BACK UP, AND PROMPTLY TURNED THE IGNITION BACK OFF. SOME HOURS LATER, THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY CAUGHT FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THIS FIRE WASN'T DISCOVERED UNTIL THE NEXT DAY AS IT SELF-EXTINGUISHED. THE BATTERY WAS NOT DISCHARGED AFTER THE FIRE, SO IT WAS NOT A DEAD SHORT IN THE WIRING. I BELIEVE THE AUTO-DOWN CIRCUIT BOARD OR THE ELECTRIC MIRROR SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE. AFTER THE FIRE, THE PASS SIDE MIRROR WAS FULLY EXTENDED AWAY, AT SOME POINT THE CONTACTS WERE CLOSED CAUSING THE MIRROR
Mileage: 145,975
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND THE FRONT DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Mileage: 170,000
MY VEHICLE FAILED TO START UPON LEAVING THE MALL. AFTER SEVERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING PROCEDURES AT MY RESIDENT THE NEXT DAY, I FOUND THAT THE IN TANK FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS NOT WORKING. DURING THE GENTLY LOWERING OF THE FUEL TANK, THE SENDING UNIT TO FILTER FUEL LINE THAT RUNS ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FRAME JUST CRUMBLED INTO CHUNKS OF RUST. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT GM ACTUALLY INSTALLED FUEL LINES MADE OUT OF PLAIN UNPROTECTED STEEL TUBING, ESPECIALLY ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS SOLD AND OPERATED IN A SNOW BELT STATE. ALSO WHILE I WAS REPLACING THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE THAT FEEDS THE REAR BRAKES THAT ALSO RUNS ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME WAS IN THE SAME SAD SHAPE, DURING REMOVAL OF THIS BRAKE LINE, IT ALSO CRUMBLED INTO CHUNKS OF RUST, HOW THESE LINES DID NOT FAIL PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT IS BEYOND ME. IF IT WASN'T FOR BEING A SKILLED MECHANIC BY TRADE, THIS WOULD HAVE COST A FORTUNE IN LABOR COST TO REPAIR. FOR A VEHICLE SOLD
Mileage: 95,000
MY VEHICLE FAILED TO START UPON LEAVING THE MALL. AFTER SEVERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING PROCEDURES AT MY RESIDENT THE NEXT DAY, I FOUND THAT THE IN TANK FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS NOT WORKING. DURING THE GENTLY LOWERING OF THE FUEL TANK, THE SENDING UNIT TO FILTER FUEL LINE THAT RUNS ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FRAME JUST CRUMBLED INTO CHUNKS OF RUST. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT GM ACTUALLY INSTALLED FUEL LINES MADE OUT OF PLAIN UNPROTECTED STEEL TUBING, ESPECIALLY ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS SOLD AND OPERATED IN A SNOW BELT STATE. ALSO WHILE I WAS REPLACING THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE THAT FEEDS THE REAR BRAKES THAT ALSO RUNS ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME WAS IN THE SAME SAD SHAPE, DURING REMOVAL OF THIS BRAKE LINE, IT ALSO CRUMBLED INTO CHUNKS OF RUST, HOW THESE LINES DID NOT FAIL PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT IS BEYOND ME. IF IT WASN'T FOR BEING A SKILLED MECHANIC BY TRADE, THIS WOULD HAVE COST A FORTUNE IN LABOR COST TO REPAIR. FOR A VEHICLE SOLD
Mileage: 95,000
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FEELS LIKE TRUCK IS HYDROPLANING/SLIDING TO THE RIGHT AND A BRIEF LOST OR LOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL..... FRONT END HAS BEEN CHECKED AND EVERYTHING IS GOOD/TIGHT. *TR
Mileage: 240,000
I WAS DRIVING ON THE IH-93 NB AT 55 MPH. SUDDENLY THE CAR BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE TIRES, BUT DID NOT SEE ANY PROBLEMS. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE INFLATED TO THE SPECS (35 PSI). I KEPT DRIVING, AND AFTER 20-25 MILES I HEARD A SOUND AS IF SOMETHING WAS RUBBING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER FENDER AREA. I BEGAN SLOWING DOWN AND WANTED TO STOP. AT THAT MOMENT MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE SEPARATED. IT WAS A PRIMEWELL VALERA HT 235/75-15 TIRE, INSTALLED AT A FIRESTONE SHOP IN PLAISTOW, NH IN NOVEMBER, 2014 WITH A FEW HUNDRED MILES ON IT. *TR
Mileage: 172,300
I WAS DRIVING ON THE IH-93 NB AT 55 MPH. SUDDENLY THE CAR BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE TIRES, BUT DID NOT SEE ANY PROBLEMS. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE INFLATED TO THE SPECS (35 PSI). I KEPT DRIVING, AND AFTER 20-25 MILES I HEARD A SOUND AS IF SOMETHING WAS RUBBING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER FENDER AREA. I BEGAN SLOWING DOWN AND WANTED TO STOP. AT THAT MOMENT MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE SEPARATED. IT WAS A PRIMEWELL VALERA HT 235/75-15 TIRE, INSTALLED AT A FIRESTONE SHOP IN PLAISTOW, NH IN NOVEMBER, 2014 WITH A FEW HUNDRED MILES ON IT. *TR
Mileage: 172,300
I WAS DRIVING ON THE IH-93 NB AT 55 MPH. SUDDENLY THE CAR BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE TIRES, BUT DID NOT SEE ANY PROBLEMS. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE INFLATED TO THE SPECS (35 PSI). I KEPT DRIVING, AND AFTER 20-25 MILES I HEARD A SOUND AS IF SOMETHING WAS RUBBING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER FENDER AREA. I BEGAN SLOWING DOWN AND WANTED TO STOP. AT THAT MOMENT MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE SEPARATED. IT WAS A PRIMEWELL VALERA HT 235/75-15 TIRE, INSTALLED AT A FIRESTONE SHOP IN PLAISTOW, NH IN NOVEMBER, 2014 WITH A FEW HUNDRED MILES ON IT. *TR
Mileage: 172,300
DRIVER'S SIDE REAR HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE ALONG FRAME RAIL FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION IN LINE. *TR
Mileage: 180,790
STARTED TRUCK, STEPPED ON BRAKE TO ENGAGE REVERSE GEAR, PEDAL DROPPED ALMOST TO FLOOR. REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTY AND FLUID BROKE THROUGH NEAR THE GAS TANK AREA. *TR
Mileage: 240,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH AND EXPERIENCED A SEIZURE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CRASH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUFFER HEAD INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS MY TAHOE WILL CRANK START BUT ONLY RUN FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND THEN SHUTS OFF. AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OTHER GM OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY ANNOYING AND INCONVENIENCING. IM SURE ITS COST MANY PEOPLE THERE JOBS OR AT MINIMUM GOTTEN THEM IN TROUBLE FOR BEING EITHER LATE OR UNABLE TO COME IN TO WORK. I AM IN THE MILITARY AND THE MY CAR WONT START DOESN'T COME OFF VERY WELL WITH MY SUPERIORS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR
Mileage: 169,324
1998 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
Mileage: 322,000
1998 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
Mileage: 322,000
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.
Mileage: 104,000
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
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
Mileage: 168,000
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.