1998 Gmc SUBURBAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
79 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
90,197 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 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 11 of 79 complaints (13.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 26.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 15.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 12.7% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 7.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.3% |
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 | 11 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 9 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 7 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 11; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 9; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Tires:Tread/Belt: 7; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 4; Steering: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3
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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 53 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 | 17 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 20 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
2000: 17; 2001: 11; 2002: 8; 2003: 20; 2004: 8; 2005: 10; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 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 10007564 · 2003-02-15 (February 15, 2003)
ABS SYSTEM KICKS ON EVERY TIME VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN, REMOVING BRAKING FORCE. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007564 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016514 · 2003-04-25 (April 25, 2003)
THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL POST BROKE LOOSE FROM THE BATTERY, SPILLING BATTERY ACID ON THE BRAKE TUBING. DISCUSSED BATTERY FAILURE WITH GM AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE BATTERY DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 68,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016909 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
WIPER MOTOR/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ON MY 1998 GMC SUBURBAN. GMC HAS HAD TO RECALL EARLIER MODELS, AND I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 1998. WHY WAS IT NOT ALSO RECALLED? *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016909 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017745 · 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
NAR 04/28/2003. MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL, ENGINE IDLED ROUGHLY, COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKED, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOME LIGHT, STEERING, THE REAR AXLE, THE LEFT REAR GLASS RATTLED, THE AIR CONDITION, BATTERY, SUSPENSION WERE ALL INOPERATIVE. THE FUEL FILTER, MIRROR TRANSMISSION SEAT, SEAT BELTS, WIPERS, ALTERNATOR, BRAKES, FUEL PUMP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018538 · 2003-05-12 (May 12, 2003)
1998 GMC SUBURBAN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. OUR VEHICLE WAS SPECIAL ORDERED FROM GMAC IN 1997. THE ISSUES IN OUR TRANSMISSION STARTED LATE LAST SUMMER, 2002. THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE "BUMP" WHEN STARTING FROM A STANDSTILL AND GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEARS. AS STATED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS THIS IS OUR FAMILY VEHICLE TRANSPORTING OR 3 SMALL CHILDREN. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054695 · 2004-01-22 (January 22, 2004)
STEERING SPEED SENSOR INTERMITANTLY FAILED CAUSING UNPREDICTABLE STEERING MOVEMENT WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS AT SPEED. STEERING POWER ASSIST WOULD SUDDENLY CHANGE RESULTING IN SUDDEN VEER OF VEHICLE. COUPLE OF "NEAR MISSES" WHEN PULLING TRAILERS AND ENTERING FREEWAY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND PROBLEM RESOLVED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060460 · 2004-03-04 (March 4, 2004)
MY 1998 SUBURBAN HAS HAD TWO NEW FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED BY THE DEALER WITHIN FOUR MONTHS.AFTER A SHORT TIME, APPROX.2 MONTHS. THE FUEL PUMP STILL MAKES A BUZZING NOISE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 14 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060460 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046193 · 2003-11-03 (November 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046193 at NHTSA ↗