DEALER SAID THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME? WHY NOT HAVE A RECALL? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
1998 Chevrolet Suburban complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1998 record →
THE FIRST REPORTED ITEM: SHOULDER BELT ANCHORS, 3 OF THE SHOULDER ANCHORS HAVE COME LOSS, THE FIRST CAME COMPLETELY OFF, AFTER NOTICING, I REGULARLY CHECK AND TIGHTEN. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO MECHANICAL LOCKING DEVICE TO KEEP THIS FROM REPEATING. THE SECOND ITEM REPORTED IS THE EXHAUST LEAK. THE DEALER REPEATEDLY HAS FIXED THE SAME LEAK, IT FILLS THE VEHICLE WITH FUMES AND IS DANGEROUS. I FINALLY REPLACED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AT MY EXPENSE TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE. THE FAILED COMPONENT WAS ALWAYS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO "Y" PIPE GASKETS. THE THIRD COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTEROUS, THE THROTTLE CABLE FAILED LEAVING THE VEHICLE STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH A ROCK CAME THROUGH FRONT WINDSHIELD / PASSENGER'S SIDE AND SHATTERED GLASS ONTO PASSENGER AND A CHILD IN SECOND RAW IN A CSS. BOTH PARTIES RECEIVED MINOR INJURY. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE ON FLAT SURFACE, CONSUMER USED SCISSOR TYPE JACK FOR FIRST TIME TO CHANGE A TIRE. AFTER JACKING VEHICLE UP JUST ENOUGH SO TIRE CLEARED THE GROUND, CONSUMER TURNED AROUND TO GRAB THE NEW TIRE, JACK BEND AND VEHICLE DROPPED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SHORT DUE TO FAULTY SWITCH THAT CONTROLS OUTSIDE MIRROR, CAUSED DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO START BURNING, CLAIM 40-2517-187. *SLC
ELECTRICAL SHORT DUE TO FAULTY SWITCH THAT CONTROLS OUTSIDE MIRROR, CAUSED DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO START BURNING, CLAIM 40-2517-187. *SLC
FAULTY INJECTORS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MISFIRE AND CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.NLM
WHEN DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL BRAKE BOOSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING POOR BRAKING ABILITY, AND RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKES THEY WOULD GET HARD. BRAKES GET HARDER AS DAY WEARS ON. VEHICLE WOULD BUCK IF STOPPED AT LIGHT OR SIGN. MAKES A SWOOSHING SOUND. CAN FEEL BRAKE PEDAL FIGHTING BACK. HAVE TAKEN TO INDPENDENT MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED BRAKE POWER BOOSTER WAS GONE AND WAS LEAVING NO POWER BRAKES.
CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS MISFIRING DUE TO INJECTORS FAILURE. *YH
BATTERY LEAKED ACID AND CAUSED ELECTRICAL FAILURE, ALTERNATOR FAILURE, WIRE SHORT.*AK
TREAD SEPARATION. AMBIENT TEMP 96 DEGREES. INFLATION 80 POUNDS COLD. MUD/SNOW TREAD. TOWING 6200 LB TRAVEL TRAILER WITH EQUILIZING HITCH.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VN11B3A477 TIRESIZE: LT24575R16)
LT265/75R16, DOT UNKNOWN, REPLACEMENT TIRE WITH 10000 MILES ON A 1998, CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 63 MPH REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. NO ACCIDENT.*AK *YH
PE 00 040/TREAD SEPARATION: LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH WITH DRIVER AND THREE PASSENGERS, ONE ADULT IN A 1998 CHEVROLET, SUBURBAN; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE LT245/75R16. *AK DOT NUMBERS V611B1A447 AND V611B1A487 FOR THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S TIRES, FRONT TIRES WERE KEPT AT 70PSI AND REAR TIRES 75PSI. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, STOPPED AND SAW YELLOW SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND DRIVER'S DOOR PANEL, SPARKS WERE FLYING. SMOKE STOPPED, FUSE HAD BLOWN. MECHANIC FOUND THAT WIRE TO OUTSIDE MIRROR SWITCH. *AK AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WIRE WAS 14 GAUGE. THE ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURED AT THE MIRROR SWITCH. *YH
BRAKES-WHEN COMING TO STOP PEDAL IS HARD THEN DROPS ABOUT AN INCH MORE BEFORE VEHICLE STOPS.ANTI LOCK WILL SOMETIMES ENGAGE AND STOP VEHICLE. AFTER VEHICLE STOPS I CAN CONTINUE TO PUSH PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. DEALER REPLACED REAR DUMP VALVE BUT PROBLEM STILL THERE. MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED,NEW ROTORS, NEW BACK BRAKE SHOES(3RD SET). BRAKE PROBLEM STARTED IN JAN 2001. INTAKE GASKET IS LEAKING. FUEL PUMP IS RUNNING VERY NOISY, NOSIER THAN WHEN NEW. I KNOW THAT THIS MEANS IT IS GOING TO GO.SO I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT.*AK
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DISCOVERED THAT WIRES TO BATTERY WERE LOOSE. SINCE DEALER RECONNECTED WIRES, VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT PROBLEM.*AK
CLASS I HITCH DEVELOPED HAIRLINE CRACK AT ONE OF WELDS. NLM
FIREMAN CONTACTED DETERMINED TO BE AN ALECTRICAL SHORT CAUSE FIRE TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. (AK
3 FUEL INJECTORS FAILED (#1, #7 AND #8). NLM
WHEN DRIVING AT ALMOST ANY SPEED STEERING SLIPS AND JERKS TO RIGHT OR LEFT. THE TIRES DON'T MOVE WITH THE SLIP. IT STARTED OUT AS JUST A RIGHT SHIFT, AND NOW IT IS JERKING BOTH TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
UPON BRAKING AND COMPLETELY STOPPING BRAKEJUST RELEASES BY ITSELF.*AK
TRANSFER CASE WAS SHREDDED INSIDE EVEN THOUGH THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER USED OFF-ROAD OR FOR TOWING. MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. SERVICE TECHNICIAN COMMENTED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE BEFORE.*AK
SPOKEN TO CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE. DEALER SAYS NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. VEHICLE IS UNDER RECALL NOTICE -- NHTSA RECALL 98V033000. CURRENTLY ON THIRD SET OF FRONT BRAKES. CHEVROLET AREA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, HARVEY MYER HAS NEVER FOLLOWED UP WITH COMPLAINT, CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA FLEMING IS HELPFUL. DEALER WORKED ON BRAKES WHEN UNDER WARRANTY, REFUSES TO ACCEPT NHTSA INFORMATION.*AK
WIRES KEEP GETTING CUT BY THE CAR HARNESS, WHY ARE THE WIRES LOCATED IN THE HARNESS? THIS IS GETTING DANGEROUS DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS IS A HAZARD. THE FUEL LINE / PUMP HAS NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY, AND WHO EVER HEARD OF A TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AT 50,000 MILES. PLEASE NOTE I HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING WITH THIS CAR AND I AM A VERY CAREFUL FEMALE DRIVER WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENTS OR SPEEDING TICKETS, OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES, ALL HIGHWAY DRIVING. PLEASE HELP! THIS CAR IS A DISASTER AND A HAZARD. THE LEAKING FUEL LINE COULD HAVE KILLED ME, NO BRAKE LIGHTS...OBVIOUS ISSUE. THANK YOU! LIZ ZIMMER.
WHILE DRIVING A 55 MPH HIT A DODGE DAKOTA AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THIS CRASH. *AK
ALL 4 BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND CONSUMER WENT IN A 90 DEGREE CIRCLE. PRESENTLY, BRAKES WON'T STOP, THEY GO TO FLOOR, AND VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. *AK
WE HAVE HAD TWO TIRES SEPERATE ON THIS VEHICLE PLUS THREE TIRES ON ANOTHER CHEVROLET SUBURBAN OF THE SAME SIZE AT AN EARLIER DATE. (DOT NUMBER: V611 B1A TIRESIZE: 245X75X16)
THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE MADE FROM A SUBSTANDARD METAL THAT HAD BROKEN DOWN AND CRUMBLED. GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THIS FLAW AND DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES THAT THEY PRODUCE WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRES THEM TO DO SO. (TIRESIZE: 16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16 )
WHEN THUMPING OCCURRED AND VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO RIGHT WE HAD TIRES BALANCED. THIS DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM SO TOOK IT IN TO HAVE TIRES CHECKED MORE THROUGHLY. WE WERE TOLD THE TWO FRONT TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION AND TO GET THEM OFF IMEDIATELY. THUMPING AND PULLING CEASED AFTER NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON. (DOT NUMBER: TIRESIZE: 245/75R16)
THESE TIRES DID NOT LAST ONE YEAR. ODOMETER READING 30249 WHEN TIRES NEW. I CHANGED THE TIRES AT ODOMETER READING 59126 MILES. THE TIRES ARE RATED FOR 50,OOO. I HAD THE TIRES ROTATED BEFORE I TOOK A TRIP TO KANSAS CITY THIS PAST SUMMER IN MAY. I WAS TOLD BY THE OWNER OF THE GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER IN BEAUMONT TEXAS THAT THE REASON FOR THE TIRE FAILURE WAS UNDER INFLATION. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS ONE INFLATION AND THE AUTO MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS ANOTHER. I ASKED THE GOODYEAR SERVICE MANAGER IF GOODYEAR HAD THIS IN WRITING HE SAID NO. I BELEIVE I GOT RIPPED OFF! THE TWO TIMES I HAD MY VEHICLES TIRES BALANCE I WAS NOT TOLD THAT AT THE GOODYEAR DEALERSHIPS THAT THEY WERE UNDER INFLATED. I WOULD NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER GOODYEAR TIRE EVEN THOUGH THE COMPANY I WORK FOR HAS THEM AS A CUSTOMER BUTADIENE CUSTOMER. I WENT TO ANOTHER COMPANY AND GOT TIRES FOR MY VEHICLE AND MET A GOODYEAR EMPLOYEE AND THE BEAUMONT TEXAS FACILITY THAT TOLD ME HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND EVEN THOUGH HE WORKED FOR GOODYEAR PLANT HE WOULD NOT PURCHASED THEIR TIRES. HE ALSO BY HERE SAY TOLD ME THAT A RETIRED GENTLEMAN AT THE FIRESTONE FACILITY IN ILLONOIS PLANT TOLD HIM THAT THEY MADE TIRES WITH OTHER TIRE COMPANY NAMES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE. I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN AND A SICK WIFE AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE DUPED BY CONGLOMERATE TIRE MANUFACTURES. IF I HAVE BEEN WRONGED AS I FEEL I THINK THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SOULD BE PROTECTED AGAINST SUCH PRACTICES.*AK (TIRESIZE: 235/75R1C)( DOT NUMBER: TIR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE STEEL BELT BROKE, CAUSING A LUMP ON THE TIRE. CHANGED TIRE OUT IMMEDIATELY. *AK (TIRESIZE: 245/75R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245/75R16 )
MY TRUCK SINCE NEW ONCE EVERY ONE OR TWO WEEKS THE BRAKES DON'T WORK, WHEN YOU MORE NEED THEM, SUDDENT STOP NOT PANIC STOP. WAS REPORTED IN SEVERAL OCCASION TO THE DELER,THEY INSPECTED REPACE PADS ... NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. THE TRUCK CONTINUE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LAST 9/25/00 THE CAR STARTED RUNNING LIKE WHEN THE BRAKES IS ON AND LOCK IT.ONE MORE TIME PADS EVERY THINK IS REPLACED, BUT THIS TIME CONTINUE LOCK,KNOW CONTAMINATION IS SUSP. ??? MORE PARTS TO BE CHANGE. I AM REQUESTING HELP THIS IS NORMAL, I AM VERY CONCERN ABOUT MY FAMILY SAFETY. WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL A FATALITY OCCUR TO THEN SOMEONE CONCERN ABOUT THIS MATTER. I HAVE A NAIBOR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I WILL LIKE TO KNOW IF IS MORE DATA ABOUT THIS MATTER AND WHAT I CAN DO TO PREVENT A FATAL ACCIDENT. THANKS.
WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 25MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, VEHICLE MAKES A CLINKING AND CLUNKING NOISE. HE HAS TO LET OFF OF BRAKES IN ORDER TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. HE HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER .*AK
TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE RIPPED APART - LIKE METAL FATIGUE. PIECES CRACKED OFF. TRUCK WAS ONLY DRIVEN - NEVER USED FOR TOWING. MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING - NO OFFROADING. TRANSMISSION BROKE UP - MANUFACTURING DEFECT.... (TIRESIZE: 265/75R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 265/75R16 )
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SEVERAL SUSPENSION RELATED PROBLEMS, THE SIDE SHOCK ABSORBER SPLIT CAUSING A RATTLE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BOLTS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES, CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF STEERING WHEEL PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND AFTER THE ALIGNMENT WAS COMPLETED, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED, THE DEALER LATER FOUND A LEFT FRONT INNER TIE ROD NUT LOOSE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT SO A TIRE ROTATION WAS DONE, ALSO, THE COIL SPRING INSULATORS WERE MISSING CAUSING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING, IT WAS LATER FOUND THAT THE INSULATORS WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS AND THE DEALER CAN NOT FIND A REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM. *SLC
VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH A NOTICEABLE PULL TO THE RIGHT. REPEATED TRIPS BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND REPEATED TALKS WITH VARIOUS LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. IN FACT, THE SERVICE PERSONNEL REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AT ALL. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP HAS ALSO BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE GIVEN UP ON TRYING TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED, BUT STILL CONSIDER IT TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM BEFORE OID ID: 701281, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DIES. OID ID:609017, 609109, 541068, 541537, 609005, 536544, 537798, 534868, 607646, 824021, 859425, 701281, 709150, 714200, 607214, 609769, 833732, 846325, 846347, 857553 ARE ALL RELATED. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH BRAKING SYSTEM; WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT, AND SOMETIMES TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN FOUND TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
THIS VEHICLE WAS USED AS A PASSENGER VEHICLE, NEVER PULLED ANYTHING MORE THAN A SMALL TRAILER WITH RIDING MOWER, OR DIRT BIKES. IT WAS NOT USED TO PLOW SNOW OR OFF ROAD. IT WAS A LARGE FAMILY SEDAN THAT WAS USED ON THE HIGHWAY DAY IN AND DAY OUT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
I RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT 1995-1997 SUBURBANS, TAHOES THAT HAVE BATTERIES. *AK
HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY HEARD ANYTHING UNUSUAL. HAVE OWNED 2 OTHER SUBURBANS BESIDES THIS ONE. I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT, TURNING LEFT ONTO THE STREET WHEN I HEARD A POP. I THEN HEARD SOME RATTLING AND SQUEAKING. I PULLED OVER AND COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING, SO I DROVE IT HOME...ABOUT 5 MILES. TOOK OFF THE LUGS:NUTS COVER AND 2 BROKEN STEMS FELL ON THE GROUND WITH THE NUT STILL ON THEM AND THE REST OF THE LUGS: NUTS WERE EXTREMELY LOOSE. HAD ALL THE TIRES ROTATED AT FIRESTONE ON 10-7-99 AND THE MILEAGE WAS 42,720. NONE OF THE OTHER WHEELS WERE AFFECTED.ALL LUGS: NUTS WERE ON TIGHT EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE WHEEL. FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON ALL 1998 LUGS: NUTS ON FORD F150 PICK UPS...COULD THIS BE RELATED? *AK
VEHICLE IS A COMPANY VEHICLE AND WAS PURCHASED WITHOUT TEST DRIVE. AFTER VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO SERVICE WE EXPERIENCED INSUFFICIENT BRAKING POWER, GRABING BRAKES, 100% LOSS OF BRAKES. ORIGINAL DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS, ROTORS & ABS SYSTEM. MARYVILLE, TN DEALER ALSO REPLACED PADS & ABS PARTS. STILL VEHICLE HAS NO STOPPING POWER. ON GOING PROBLEM WHICH CREATES A DANGEROUS VEHICLE.
DESTROYS FRONT RIGHT 2 TIRES (NOT ALIGNMENT PROBLEM) 2 TIRES IN 22K MILES( DOT NUMBER: M3DD TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
VEHICLE WOULD WANDER AT ANY SPEED. APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN MADE FOR DEALER INSPECTION. DO NHTSA HAVE ANY OTHER INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM. *AK
VIBRATIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 TO 75) AS WELL AS WANDERING ON HIGHWAY. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT RECREATE. REPLACED VARIABLE SPEED ADJUSTMENT MODULE TWICE WITH SOME IMPROVEMENT.
CONSUMER BOUGHT A BOA., BUT WHEN HE PUTS IT ON TRUCK IT MAKES THE TRUCK VIBRATE. ALSO, WHEN NOT CARRYING THE BOAT IT VIBRATES IF VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT A HIGHER SPEED. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban → · Every Suburban year → · How the figures are calculated →