1998 Gmc SUBURBAN: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10018439 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
GMC INFORMED US THAT OUR SUBURBAN'S FIRESTONE TIRES HAVE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. FIRESTONE CONFIRMED THIS AND IS OFFERING TO ADJUST FOR NEW TIRES BUT NOT REFUND. I DO NOT WISH TO HAVE BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE TIRES. DO THEY NOT NEED TO REFUND OR REPLACE THE TIRES? THE TIRES WE PURCHASED IN 2001 AND ARE BRIDGESTONE DUELER AT LT245/75 R 16 108/104S 693. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018439 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 10019332 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000. *NLM PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020901 · 2003-06-02 (June 2, 2003)
I OWN A 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE WIPER MOTOR ON THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. THERE IS A RECALL (# 03V159000) ON THE 1997 WIPER MOTORS......BUT NOT ON THE 1998 EVEN THOUGH THE DESIGN AND WIPER MOTOR ARE THE SAME. DURING A RECENT RAINSTORM MY WIPER MOTOR BECOME COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE IN MID SWIPE @ 65 MPH ON I 40. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE RECALL RE-EVALUATED OR AT A MINIMUM INCLUDE THE 1998 MODELS. MY VIN IS [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020901 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 ↗