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U.S. public vehicle records

1998 Chevrolet SUBURBAN problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

143 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

76,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 56 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 143 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior4128.7%
Steering behavior117.7%
Electrical and battery issues85.6%
Transmission and shifting74.9%
Fuel system concerns42.8%
Engine operation21.4%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
19
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
13
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
12
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
9
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
7
Tires:Tread/Belt
7
Electrical System:Wiring
6
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring
6
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip19
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer13
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor12
Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
Power Train:Automatic Transmission7
Tires:Tread/Belt7
Electrical System:Wiring6
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring6

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 19; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 13; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Tires:Tread/Belt: 7; Electrical System:Wiring: 6; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring: 6

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
9
50,000 to 74,999
15
75,000 to 99,999
18
100,000 to 149,999
12
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9999
50,000 to 74,99915
75,000 to 99,99918
100,000 to 149,99912
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 1

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 87 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2000
17
2001
26
2002
23
2003
31
2004
23
2005
14
2006
3
2007
1
2009
1
2010
1
2012
1
2014
1
2016
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
200017
200126
200223
200331
200423
200514
20063
20071
20091
20101
20121
20141
20161

2000: 17; 2001: 26; 2002: 23; 2003: 31; 2004: 23; 2005: 14; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 1

Pattern summary

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 41 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10001230 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)

THE VEHICLES' ABS BRAKES STAYS ENGAGED, WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES PAD AND ROTORS TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACE PART 5 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001230 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10006125 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)

NHTSA RECALL 98-V-033-000: 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. CONSUMER STATES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HAD CHANGED FIVE TIME THE BRAKE PADS, AND THREE TIMES THE ROTORS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN#. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006125 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10049361 · 2003-12-07 (December 7, 2003)

1998 SUBURBAN ALMOST WRECKED SEVERAL TIMES TO DO FAULTY ELECTRONIC VARIABLE ORIFICE (EVO) SENSOR LOCATED UNDER STEERING COLUMN. WHEN IN A RIGHT HAND TURN VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY LUNGE TO THE RIGHT TO DO SUDDEN INCREASE IN POWER STEERING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND GM OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I THINK IT SHOULD BE A RECALL IMMEDIATELY. THERE ARE PLENTY OF DOCUMENTED CASES OF THIS PROBLEM AND GM KNOWS IT TOO... BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049361 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10053013 · 2004-01-12 (January 12, 2004)

I AM HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE WITH MY 1998 SUBURBAN THAT WAS FILED ON NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA99011. I ALSO NOTICE THAT IT HAPPENS WORSE WHEN DRIVING IN WINTER WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE COLDER. IT SEEMS ONCE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR AWHILE ITS NOT AS BAD. BUT STILL SEEM TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL AS INDICATED IN THE REPORT MENTIONED ABOVE. A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SCARY. LOSS OF STEERING FOR SPLIT SECOND CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WHEN THE LOSS OCCURS. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053013 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10029090 · 2003-07-24 (July 24, 2003)

PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1998 MODEL. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 1997 BUT IS A 1998 MODEL. PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: . CHEVROLET HAS A RECALL FOR 1997 MODEL FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION I HAVE A 1998 MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER IT. 2. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL. VEHICLE HAS SOME SORT OF WIRING PROBLEM, I CHANGED THE BATTERIES ON THE REMOTE CONTROL BUT IT WILL NOT WORK. 3. I HAD TO CHANGE WIRING HARNESS FOR REAR LIGHTS SINCE THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK…

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029090 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10065662 · 2004-04-06 (April 6, 2004)

RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO OPERATE; IN-DASH INDICATOR PROPERLY INDICATED FAILURE BY RAPID FLASH. WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, OPENED TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY; FOUND LIGHT BULB NOT FAILED; CAN NOT PROPERLY RE-ASSEMBLE AND GASKET IS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY TO PERMIT RE-ASSEMBLY. HAD TO REPLACE 'CIRCUIT BOARD' WHICH CONNECTS TO WIRING HARNESS TO SOCKETS; COST IS $70 (SEVENTY DOLLARS) ALTHOUGH 'CIRCUIT BOARD' IS WIRING ONLY AND HAS NO COMPONENTS; DEALER PARTS CLERK HELPFULLY ADVISED "THE CIRCUIT BOARDS FAIL ALL THE TIME -- THERE ISN'T A RECALL, BUT THERE S…

Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065662 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10034437 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)

WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE WIPERS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AT TIMES, THE BRAKES WERE SOFT, THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE FOUND LEAKING, AND THE SHOES CRACKED. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED, AND THE TAIL SHAFT SEAL WAS REPLACED. *SCC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034437 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10039261 · 2003-09-21 (September 21, 2003)

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 32000 MILES - RADIATOR REPLACED AT 54000 - WATER PUMP- DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS REPLACED NOW DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK . *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039261 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10070197 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

WE STILL NEED OUR VEHICLE FIXED!!! WE GOT THE RUNAROUND AND WERE DISCOURAGED FROM PURSUING THE PROBLEM AS THE GM & GMPP CUSTOMER SERVICE? EMPLOYEES KEPT TRYING TO BEAT US DOWN SO WE WOULD GIVE UP. GM & GMPP EMPLOYEES HAVE DONE THEIR BEST TO DISCOURAGE US FROM PURCHASING ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. THANK YOU, [XXX] VIN #[XXX] [XXX] 87 TOTAL PROBLEMS NEVER FIXED. SUMMARY OF REPAIRS (CONTINUED) 1)OIL LEAKS14 TIMES, NEVER FIXED 2)ENGINE ROUGH IDLE10 TIMES NEVER FIXED 3)WIND NOISE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW6 TIMES NEVER FIXED 4)COOLING SYSTEM LEAKS\T4 TIMES 5…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,195 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070197 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 744595 · 2001-04-26 (April 26, 2001)

BRAKES-WHEN COMING TO STOP PEDAL IS HARD THEN DROPS ABOUT AN INCH MORE BEFORE VEHICLE STOPS.ANTI LOCK WILL SOMETIMES ENGAGE AND STOP VEHICLE. AFTER VEHICLE STOPS I CAN CONTINUE TO PUSH PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. DEALER REPLACED REAR DUMP VALVE BUT PROBLEM STILL THERE. MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED,NEW ROTORS, NEW BACK BRAKE SHOES(3RD SET). BRAKE PROBLEM STARTED IN JAN 2001. INTAKE GASKET IS LEAKING. FUEL PUMP IS RUNNING VERY NOISY, NOSIER THAN WHEN NEW. I KNOW THAT THIS MEANS IT IS GOING TO GO.SO I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 744595 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 8022626 · 2002-11-13 (November 13, 2002)

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HAS HAPPEND ABOUT 60 TIMES. TWO DEALER WERE CONTACTED,FIRST DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A DEFECTED PUMP MODULE OF THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP. MR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8022626 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 882992 · 2001-03-14 (March 14, 2001)

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DISCOVERED THAT WIRES TO BATTERY WERE LOOSE. SINCE DEALER RECONNECTED WIRES, VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT PROBLEM.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 882992 at NHTSA ↗