1998 Chevrolet Suburban: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 216 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“When it is raining water gets into the blower motor of the hvac and short out the motor which can cause the defrost, heat, or air to stop working which is potentially a hazard. Water and electronics are not really friendly together. It has happened many times.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2017
“The passengers side front seat belt will not extend out fully.cannot find anything wrong with it like debris or coins down inside to jam it ,its obviously a factory defect that I now seealot of people have.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2016
“Drove vehicle to a local establishment, all was find. When I returned, started the truck, pushed brake pedal to put the car into reverse and it went to the floor. Pumped the pedal twice to see if brakes would return and they did not. Inspected underneath and saw brake fluid. Had the truck towed to a local garage and they had to replace a "rotted" line that had burst. This is an extreme safety hazard, had the vehicle been in motion this could have resulted in a severe accident. I know there are discussion of brake issues starting in the 1999 models, but this is the exact same in the 1998!”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph, the brake pedal failed. The contact mentioned that the ABS and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated the ABS sensor, the inner and outer bearings and the caliber needed to be replaced. The vehicle has been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 182,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2014
“My wife was traveling back from a friends house with our two and seven year old kids, and the brakes failed she was able to run the truck off the road as to not hit anybody or anything, and was able to stop it, after adding brake fluid and starting the vehicle again, I realized there was fluid coming out of the back of the truck, I saw the metal brake lines are corroded , while the rubber lines seem to be ok. I do not have the type of money to fix a problem of this magnitude, with five children and my wife not working, I think that a vehicle like this shouldn't have failed us like this. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2012
“I purchased on 11/1997 a new 1998 chevrolet suburban 3/4 ton 2500 series. The suburban has 38,528 original miles and has been garage kept since new. The vehicle has been used primarily as a secondary vehicle for recreational purposes. The suburban has been driven in snow conditions only 12-14 times. I am experiencing excessive brake and fuel line corrosion on the steel brake/fuel lines, flexible brake hoses and connections. I am very concerned over the brake/fuel line corrosion issuea and have since learned that an investigation has been initiated by the NHTSA on 1/5/11, NHTSA investigation file no. Ea11001. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2011
“1. Hard stop to avoid hitting wildlife. Going approximately 40 mph. 2. After the brakes holding for a second or two the pedal dropped to the floor. After that only 1/4 brake power. Once home, observed brake fluid coming from corroded brake lines. 3. I will need to review cost of service. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet suburban 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle would shift into four-wheel drive independently. The vehicle became stuck in automatic four wheel drive and the contact stated that the vehicle felt as if the wheels were attempting to lock. In addition, the contact stated that he was unable to accelerate past 40 mph. The vehicle was neither inspected nor repaired. The failure mileage was 194,000 and the current mileage 194,882.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2010
“Upon low speed braking, brake pedal goes to the floor and loss of steering at the same time. Truck is k2500 suburban with hydraulic brake booster with fluid supplied by steering pump. Will come & go as it pleases-no warning when. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2010
“1998 suburban k1500, ~126,000 miles, original owner. ABS engages at low speeds on dry pavement when coming to a complete stop, I.e. Constant pressure on brake pedal. Weather was sunny, dry, low humidity with temperatures between 50 and 70 f. Vehicle does not come to a complete stop as quickly when this occurs. Three incidences have occurred over the last two weeks (first time experienced was two weeks ago). No repairs attempted yet. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.
How other years compare
Check your exact Suburban by VIN
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Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
NHTSA has 216 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Suburban problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 83,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.