The 1998 Chevrolet Suburban has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 508,308 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 299 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
VISIBILITY03V0930002003-03-07507,171 affected
Defect
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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…
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC98V0330001998-02-171,137 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
27
2crashes3injuries
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
12
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
12
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
8
1injuries
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
8
STEERING
7
TIRES
7
1crashes
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
6
2fires
Total complaints299
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Brake line failed after med to heavy braking, leaving little to no brake as pedal went to the floor.”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“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,…”
“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”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA99011 Opened 1999-05-12 · closed 2001-02-27
ERRATIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIV
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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