Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH
- Summary
- 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 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
GM/BRAKE ROTORS/HUBS
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (216)
216 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 216 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 68 | 31.5% |
| Visibility | 51 | 23.6% |
| Steering | 22 | 10.2% |
| Power train | 20 | 9.3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 7.9% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 7.4% |
| Tires | 15 | 6.9% |
| Suspension | 14 | 6.5% |
| Fuel system | 11 | 5.1% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 2.8% |
How 1998 compares with other Suburban years
Best and worst Suburban years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 872 | 3 |
| 1995 | 469 | 6 |
| 1996 | 370 | 3 |
| 1997 | 431 | 2 |
| 1998 | 216 | 2 |
| 1999 | 720 | 1 |
| 2000 | 356 | 8 |
| 2001 | 566 | 6 |
| 2002 | 439 | 2 |
| 2003 | 497 | 5 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 14 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,800
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 635 g/mi
- EPA class
- Special Purpose Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 14 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1998 Suburban for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1998 Chevrolet Suburban FAQ
How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 03V093000 (visibility), 98V033000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Suburban problems?
Owners filed 216 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (68), Visibility (51), Steering (22) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban get?
EPA rates the 5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 12 city, 17 highway and 14 combined mpg.
How does the 1998 Suburban compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2003 Chevrolet Suburban model years at least five years old, the 1998 drew the fewest complaints (216) and the 1994 the most (872). The 1998 drew 216. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.