VehicleVerdict

1998 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe sits mid-pack among Tahoe years: 315 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 309, with 4 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 83 reports (26% of the total).

315

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Tahoe years?

See all Tahoe years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes8326%
Visibility & Wipers5116%
Steering3310%
Electrical System248%
Transmission237%
Engine237%
Fuel System175%
Tires & Wheels165%
Suspension134%
Airbags93%
Other83%
Seats41%
Body & Structure41%
Seat Belts31%
Child Seat10%
Lighting10%
Latches & Locks10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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 CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

98V033000BrakesFebruary 17, 1998 · 1,137 units

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.

97V142000SteeringAugust 29, 1997 · 3,957 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY EXTENDED-CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 4-DOOR UTILITY TRUCKS. THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING GEAR PINCH BOLT IS "FINGER LOOSE" OR MISSING ALLOWING THE BOLT TO LOOSEN AND FALL OUT. THE STEERING SHAFT YOKE CAN WEAR CAUSING AN OFF CENTER STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence

RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND CAB CAN CAUSE THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE ARRANGING TO HAVE THE VEHICLES INVOLVED TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION IS BEING ARRANGED FOR OWNERS. DEALERS WILL THEN INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PINCH BOLT AND TORQUE THIS BOLT TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE TRYING TO STOP WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED MY ABS FAIL CAUSING MY VEHICLE NOT TO STOP AND IN 2 INCIDENCES WE HAVE HIT OTHER VEHICLES. SPOKE WITH DEALER AND THEY SAID ABS SENSOR IS PROBLEM. THIS IS RECALLED IN THE SAME VEHICLE IN 1999 BUT MY VEHICLE IS A 1998. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 4, 2006 · crash

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS DRY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE WINDSHIELD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 14, 2004

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A DITCH. BUT WHEN THE INVESTIGATOR CHECKED THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 27, 1999 · crash

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INPROPERLY WORKING BACK WINDOWS, THEY WOULD NOT ALWAYS GO UP AND DOWN, DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND WHEN CONSUMER PICKED UP VEHICLE, HE SAID IT WAS FIXED, DAYS LATER THE CONSUMER HIT THE BUTTON TO PUT UP A BACK WINDOW AND SMOKE STARTED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. ECM CODE 1870 SLIPPAGE. VALVE BODY FAILS EITHER BY CONTAMINATION OR DEFECT CAUSING HIGH LINE PRESSURE CAUSING HARD 1-2GEAR SHIFTS. HARD SHIFTS CAUSE INTERNAL DAMAGE AND EMINANT FAILURE. I'VE READ HUNDREDS OF OTHER SIMILAR FAILURES THAT SOUND IDENTICAL. THIS CANNOT BE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 3, 2001

1998 Chevrolet Tahoe — common questions

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?

It is close to typical for the Tahoe: 315 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1998 Tahoe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (83 complaints), visibility & wipers (51 complaints), steering (33 complaints).

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Tahoe years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tahoe years to avoid are 2007, 2015, 2008, 1999, 2003, 2001, 2021, 2011, 2004, 2002, 1997, 2010, 2009, 2013, 2023, 2012, 2022, 2014, 2024. The cleanest record among Tahoe years belongs to 1988.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.