Complaints
137
Crashes
10
Fires
3
Injuries
7
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 GMC Suburban Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#115 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:81,533 mi
Crash-related:3
#210 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:96,133 mi
#310 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Avg mileage:86,400 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 GMC Suburban.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 15 | 3 | — | 81,533 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 10 | — | — | 96,133 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 10 | — | — | 86,400 mi | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 9 | — | — | 68,100 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 7 | 1 | — | 38,371 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 1 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
15
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,533
Automatic Transmission
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,133
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
86,400
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,100
Tires:Tread/Belt
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
38,371
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 GMC Suburban. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Suburban Years
1998 GMC Suburban — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 GMC Suburban reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 GMC Suburban has 137 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 15 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 GMC Suburban?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (15 complaints, avg 81,533 mi); Automatic Transmission (10 complaints, avg 96,133 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor (10 complaints, avg 86,400 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 GMC Suburban?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 77,055 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 GMC Suburban?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 GMC Suburban include 10 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 7 injuries, and 1 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 GMC Suburban have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 GMC 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 GMC 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 GMC Suburban reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 GMC 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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