1998 Chevrolet Suburban: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban: 2 recalls, 201 owner complaints and up to 14 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #98V033000 · 1998 · 1,137 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #03V093000 · 2003 · 507,171 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain sport utility vehicles, MINI vans, and pickup trucks May develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch. Owner notification began on April 24, 2003.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Equipment recall #06E043000 · 2006 · 88,303 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (57): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (13), noise or vibration (5).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (48): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), noise or vibration (3).
- Steering (21): the most common themes are steering problems (18).
- Transmission & drivetrain (19): the most common themes are noise or vibration (5), hard / delayed shifting (3), leaks (3).
The 1998 Chevrolet Suburban has 201 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 35 Suburban model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 229). Complaints peaked in 1999 (44 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 76,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (414 complaints, 2 recalls), 1999 (634 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Suburban problems?
Owners have filed 201 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (57), visibility (wipers, glass) (48), steering (21).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban get?
EPA ratings run up to 14 mpg combined (5.7 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Chevrolet Suburban repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.