Model year record

1998 Chevrolet Suburban recalls & problems

The 1998 Chevrolet Suburban has 3 safety recalls and 201 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (72 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints201filed by owners

Crashes · fires9 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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).

VisibilityMar 7, 2003

Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior

Recall 03V093000507,171 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 17, 1998

Foundation components › Disc › Rotor

Recall 98V0330001,137 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1998 Chevrolet Suburban 4-DR. 4X4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Master cylinder	72	4	0	5	68,097 mi
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor	54	0	0	2	74,500 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Hydraulic power assist › Pump	24	0	0	0	72,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	22	0	0	0	54,597 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit	20	0	0	1	45,148 mi
Electrical systemWiring; Wiring › Interior/under dash	18	0	3	0	80,000 mi
TiresTread/belt	14	1	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Shock absorber	14	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system › Injectors; Delivery › Fuel pump	12	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	7	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front	5	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingBrake lights; Turn signal	5	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakesCrash
BRAKE LINE FAILED AFTER MED TO HEAVY BRAKING, LEAVING LITTLE TO NO BRAKE AS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.
Feb 4, 2016
Service brakes
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.
Jul 21, 2014 · 182,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
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
Apr 4, 2011 · 38,528 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
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
Sep 11, 2010 · 90,000 miles
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE LINKAGE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY AND THE INTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE WAS DEFECTIVE. CHEVROLET STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE WARRANTY ALERTS ON THE DOORS, INCLUDING ONE FOR THE DOOR KNOB REMAINING OPEN DUE TO THE DETAIL BRACKET NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND A NOTICE REGARDING THE SUBURBAN DOOR HANDLES BEING DIFFICULT TO OPEN BECAUSE THE STRUCTURE WAS PRODUCED INCORRECTLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,083.
May 15, 2009 · 72,083 miles
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
SPEED VARIATION, AND SOMETIMES CEASE, OF OPERATION OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS. POSSIBLE DISCREPANCY WITH TURN SIGNAL LEVER, SEEMS TO BE AFFECTED BY, AND SOMETIMES CORRECTED WITH WIGGLING WITH THE LEVER. *JB
Dec 15, 2006 · 103,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND APPLYING THE BRAKES UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES INCREASED IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A NHTSA RECALL # 05V379000 REGARDING SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Nov 6, 2006 · 144,000 miles
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT AT VARIOUS TIMES. SOMETIMES WORK SOMETIMES NOT, SOMETIMES QUIT IN MIDDLE OF USE. *JB
Jul 10, 2005

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

ERRATIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVClosed
THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS INVESTIGATED ALLEGATIONS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR DETAILS AND A BASIS FOR THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS, PLEASE SEE THE CLOSING REPORT IN THE EA99-011 PUBLIC FILE.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.FUTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS SUBJECT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ENGINEERING IS CLOSED.
EA99011 · opened May 12, 1999 · closed Feb 27, 2001