Complaints
299
Crashes
11
Fires
3
Injuries
10
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Chevrolet Suburban Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#127 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:65,032 mi
Crash-related:2
#213 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Avg mileage:82,062 mi
#312 complaints
Hydraulic Brakes
Avg mileage:88,613 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 27 | 2 | — | 65,032 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 13 | — | — | 82,062 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 12 | — | — | 88,613 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 12 | — | — | 59,014 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 8 | — | — | 66,000 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 7 | — | — | 76,000 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 6 | — | 2 | 80,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | — | — | 78,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 6 | — | — | 100,000 mi | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 6 | — | — | 80,505 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 5 | — | — | 76,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 | — | — | 63,500 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
27
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,032
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
82,062
Hydraulic Brakes
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,613
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,014
Automatic Transmission
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,000
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,000
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
80,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,000
Brake Master Cylinder
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,505
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,500
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Side/Rear Glass
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Suburban Years
1998 Chevrolet Suburban — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Chevrolet Suburban has 299 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 27 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (27 complaints, avg 65,032 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer (13 complaints, avg 82,062 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (12 complaints, avg 88,613 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 74,183 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban include 11 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Chevrolet Suburban?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Suburban reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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