CarModelProblems.com

1998 Chevrolet Suburban Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 2.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
201Complaints
3Recalls
9Crashes
3Fires
8Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (13.4% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 2.6× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip27 · 13.4%RecalledRecall 98V033000
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer13 · 6.5%RecalledRecall 03V093000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12 · 6%RecalledRecall 98V033000
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor12 · 6%RecalledRecall 03V093000
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System8 · 4%Investigation closedEA99011
Power Train:automatic Transmission8 · 4%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER13 · 6.5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC12 · 6%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR12 · 6%
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM8 · 4%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION8 · 4%
STEERING7 · 3.5%
TIRES7 · 3.5%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT7 · 3.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 201 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E043000 · 2006 · reported 05/19/2006

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

NHTSA campaign 03V093000 · 2003 · reported 03/07/2003

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

NHTSA campaign 98V033000 · 1998 · reported 02/17/1998

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“AT ANY SPEED AND INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES, VEHICLE GOES INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE TRAVELING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. . CONSUMER STATES MOST OF…”NHTSA complaint 8004818 — filed 03/01/2002 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“BRAKES-WHEN COMING TO STOP PEDAL IS HARD THEN DROPS ABOUT AN INCH MORE BEFORE VEHICLE STOPS.ANTI LOCK WILL SOMETIMES ENGAGE AND STOP VEHICLE. AFTER VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 744595 — filed 04/26/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“UPON BRAKING AND COMPLETELY STOPPING BRAKEJUST RELEASES BY ITSELF.”NHTSA complaint 739266 — filed 01/12/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

2219986928200061282002402420041632006112009122012112016

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 27 of 201 NHTSA complaints (13.4%), followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer (13), service brakes, hydraulic (12), visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban have?

201 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E043000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban's reported problems?

4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.