1998 Chevrolet SUBURBAN: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
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.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 41 | 28.7% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 5.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.4% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000864 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO FUNCTION CORRECTLY MOST OF THE TIME. WHEN SWITCHED ON TO THE INTERMITTENT SETTING THEY USUALLY OPERATE AT LOW SPEED RATHER THAN INTERMITTENT. WHEN SWITCHED OFF THEY USUALLY CONTINUE WIPING FOR MANY CYCLES AND THEN STOP SEEMINGLY RANDOMLY ANYWHERE IN THERE PATH OF TRAVEL. ALSO, THE WINDSHILED WASHER NO LONGER PUMPS FLUID.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000864 at NHTSA ↗
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 10007839 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)
THE INTAKE GASKET FAILS AFTER ABOUT 4 YEARS OF SERVICE. I AM TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN OF THE GASKETS AND THE EXTENDED LIFE ANTI-FREEZE USED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OF THE GASKET ALLOWS ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX WITH THE OIL WHICH CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IF NOT DETECTED. THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF 3 FAILURES OF THIS GASKET. THE ANTI-FREEZE ALSO DEGRADES SOME FITTINGS THAT GO INTO THE INTAKE.
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009658 · 2003-03-03 (March 3, 2003)
THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016157 · 2003-04-18 (April 18, 2003)
1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN INTERMITTENT WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T SHUT OFF WHEN TURNED OFF. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016157 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016182 · 2003-04-18 (April 18, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, CONTROL MODULE P/N 12463090, FAILS DUE TO A COLD (CRACKED) SOLDER JOINT ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 41,116 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016681 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)
I HAVE A 98 CHEVY SUBURBAN, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOME TIMES STOP WORKING WHILE THEY ARE IN USE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME SUBURBANS, AND BLAZERS, BUT THE YEAR ONLY WENT UP TO I THINK 1997. THE RECALL HAD TO DO WITH THE WIPERS STOPPING DURING OPERATION. I CALLED CHEVEROLET JUST TO SEE IF OUR YEAR WAS GOING TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND HE REPLIED NO, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. HE SAID HE COULD CALL A DEALER AND HAVE ME TAKE IT TO THEM AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE IT IN RIGHT NOW, SO H…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016681 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V093000 · Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
Reported: 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V033000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
Reported: 1998-02-17 (February 17, 1998)
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.
Consequence: IF A DRIVER CONTINUES TO DRIVE WITH A CRACKED ROTOR, THE CRACKS COULD CONTINUE AROUND THE WHEEL MOUNTING BOLT CIRCLE AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.
NHTSA campaign record ↗