1998 Chevrolet TAHOE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
202 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 89 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 202 complaints (17.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 59 | 29.2% |
| Steering behavior | 25 | 12.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 14 | 6.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 6.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 3.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 36 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 24 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 18 |
| Steering | 12 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 7 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 36; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 24; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 18; Steering: 12; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Electrical System: 8; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 24 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 32 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 24; 75,000 to 99,999: 32; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 11
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 113 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 33 |
| 2001 | 24 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2003 | 41 |
| 2004 | 27 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2000: 33; 2001: 24; 2002: 21; 2003: 41; 2004: 27; 2005: 19; 2006: 14; 2007: 3; 2008: 4; 2009: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 59 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 25 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 14 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 10006013 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
THE ORIGINAL FACTORY BATTERY LEAKED ACID. THE DEALER CLEANED OFF FRAME AND THE "STEEL" BRAKE LINE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND THEN PAINTED IT. THE REPLACEMENT FACTORY BATTERY THEN LEAKED ACID AGAIN IN 09/00. THIS TIME ACID LEAKED INTO BATTERY CABLE "WRAPPING" CAUSING CORROSION OF THE ENTIRE CABLE. IT ALSO LEAKED ONTO THE COUPLING ON THE "STEEL" BRAKE LINE THAT GOES TO THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. NOW DEALER HAS TO REPLACE THE BATTERY BOX AND CABLE, FENDER WELL AND THE COUPLER ON THE STEEL BRAKE LINE. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006013 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007607 · 2003-02-16 (February 16, 2003)
BRAKES ON 1998 CHEVY TAHOE FAILED CAUSING REAR END COLLISION. ABS BRAKES NEVER CAME ON ABS LIGHT ON OFTER COLLISION. EXTENSSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE TO VEHICILE SRS SYSTEM NEVER DEPLOYED WITH MAJOR FRONT END DAMMAGE.
Owner-reported narrative. 81,625 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009479 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL #97V142000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB STEERING WANDERS 1/4 TURNOR SO AND MAKES VEHICLE SLIGHTLY JERK.*TS
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015873 · 2003-04-15 (April 15, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MAKE A SHARP RIGHT OR LEFT WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL BACK IN PLACE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM EVO SENSOR REPLACED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015873 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016201 · 2003-04-19 (April 19, 2003)
MY VEHICLE RECENTLY STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER THE THIRD TIME, I FORTUNATELY HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. HE DISCOVERED THE FUEL PUMP WIRING WAS HEATING UP TO THE POINT IT CAUSED A BARE LINE. HIS OPINION WAS, I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THE VEHICLE STALLED SINCE THE PUMP IS LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK AND IS A BOMB WAITING TO EXPLODE. I NOTED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. ARE WE AWAITING ANOTHER FORD ESCORT SITUATION BEFORE CHEVY NEEDS TO FILE A RECALL BEFORE SOME ONE DIES? I HAVE RETAINED THE PUMP SHOULD YOU WISH TO HAVE AN EXPERT LOOK AT THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 53,775 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058884 · 2004-02-24 (February 24, 2004)
I HAVE A 1998 TAHOE (PURCHASE NEW FROM EDMARK CHEVROLET IN NAMPA, IDAHO) WITH A 350 VORTEC WITH 42,000 MILES. I HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT I AM LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEAR THE REAR FIREWALL. A VERY REPUTABLE MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS ENGINE AND WILL COST AROUND $400-$500 TO FIX. WHILE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 6 YEARS I AM AM UPSET THAT A $34,000 CAR WITH ONLY 42,00 MILES HAS A PROBLEM WHICH IS DEEMED TO BE "COMMON". IF IT IS COMMON, AND I SUSPECT IT IS, WHY DOESN'T GM POST A BULLETIN AND OFFER TO REPA…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058884 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037145 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE @ 78,797 MILES ON 1998 CHEVROLET, TAHOE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 78,797 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039707 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746051 · 2001-05-29 (May 29, 2001)
SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER COMPLETELY BLEW APART CAUSING LOSS OF BELT. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL CHARGING. BELT WRAPPED AROUND FAN CAUSING OVERHEATING OF ENGINE. COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF TENSIONER/PULLEY AND BELT NECESSARY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746051 at NHTSA ↗