1998 Chevrolet Tahoe: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 263 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (25% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 263 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2025
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, the brake pedal was engaged but the vehicle hesitated to respond without warning. The contact was able to avoid an accident. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS brake system failed and the front driver and the passenger side hub bearing assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2015
“At highway speeds feels like truck is hydroplaning/sliding to the right and a brief lost or loose feeling in the steering wheel..... Front end has been checked and everything is good/tight. *tr”Owner report · Steering · May 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was driving on the ih-93 nb at 55 mph. Suddenly the car began pulling to the right. I stopped and checked the tires, but did not see any problems. All four tires were inflated to the specs (35 psi). I kept driving, and after 20-25 miles I heard a sound as if something was rubbing in the front passenger fender area. I began slowing down and wanted to stop. At that moment my front right tire separated. It was a primewell valera ht 235/75-15 tire, installed at a firestone shop in plaistow, nh in november, 2014 with a few hundred miles on it. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jan 2015
“Started truck, stepped on brake to engage reverse gear, pedal dropped almost to floor. Rear brake line rusty and fluid broke through near the gas tank area. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that the driver was traveling 40 mph and experienced a seizure. As a result, the contact crashed into a ditch and the air bags failed to deploy. The crash caused the driver to suffer head injuries. The police were contacted and report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a body shop. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2012
“For the past couple of weeks my tahoe will crank start but only run for about 1 second then shuts off. After doing some internet research I have found that thousands other gm owners are having the same issue. This problem is very annoying and inconveniencing. Im sure its cost many people there jobs or at minimum gotten them in trouble for being either late or unable to come in to work. I am in the military and the my car wont start doesn't come off very well with my superiors. Something needs to be done about this. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2011
“1998 chevy tahoe wiring harness from brake pedal. Brake wiring harness moves with brake pedal motion (I.e. When brakes are activated). Over time, this motion causes wires to break resulting in brake light failure. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2011
“98 tahoe, has ABS braking issue. When driving at slow speeds, the ABS will engage during stopping and severely extend the stopping distance required to completely stop. Pedal is very spongy and does not respond like it should. Multiple shops have stated the ABS is a repeating issue with the tahoes. Have had many close accidents and do not feel safe allowing others to drive vehicle as they are not used to the stopping distance required. This needs to be addressed. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet tahoe. At low speeds he experienced unwanted anti-lock brake (ABS) activation. The condition leads to extended stopping distances. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer for inspection. The current and failure mileages were 104000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
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).
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tahoe by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
NHTSA has 263 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. 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.