1998 Chevrolet TAHOE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10009551 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE NEXT DAY, THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE, THE DEALER STATED THE FRONT ROTOR HAD SHEARED OFF FROM THE MOUNTING BOLT. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, RECALL # 98V033000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010735 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK MAYBE 50% OF THE TIME. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL BY CHEVROLET FOR THE WIPER MOTORS, BUT I WAS INFORMED THAT IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ALL VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE WIPER MOTORS INCLUDED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010735 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010738 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. MY MODEL YEAR/VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL CLASS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010738 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 ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
97V142000 · Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
Reported: 1997-08-29 (August 29, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY EXTENDED-CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 4-DOOR UTILITY TRUCKS. THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING GEAR PINCH BOLT IS "FINGER LOOSE" OR MISSING ALLOWING THE BOLT TO LOOSEN AND FALL OUT. THE STEERING SHAFT YOKE CAN WEAR CAUSING AN OFF CENTER STEERING WHEEL.
Consequence: RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND CAB CAN CAUSE THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE ARRANGING TO HAVE THE VEHICLES INVOLVED TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION IS BEING ARRANGED FOR OWNERS. DEALERS WILL THEN INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PINCH BOLT AND TORQUE THIS BOLT TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.
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 ↗