VehicleVerdict

1998 GMC Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 137 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 16.1 times the median Suburban year — the 1998 model ranks #7 of 26 Suburban years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 7 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (33), visibility & wipers (18), and transmission (17), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

137

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

7

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Suburban years?

Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted490 complaints1966: 0 complaints1974: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 5 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 4 complaints1987: 8 complaints1988: 8 complaints1989: 24 complaints1990: 28 complaints1991: 33 complaints1992: 105 complaints1993: 254 complaints1994: 490 complaints1995: 294 complaints1996: 220 complaints1997: 268 complaints1998: 137 complaints1999: 393 complaints2000: 20 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 9 complaints2003: 8 complaints2004: 1 complaints
Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Suburban years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 GMC Suburban problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3324%
Visibility & Wipers1813%
Transmission1712%
Electrical System1712%
Tires & Wheels118%
Steering86%
Fuel System54%
Engine54%
Other43%
Seat Belts43%
Suspension32%
Body & Structure32%
Seats32%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Latches & Locks21%
Lighting11%
Airbags11%

Does the 1998 GMC Suburban have recalls?

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

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).

03V093000Visibility & WipersMarch 7, 2003 · 507,171 units

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 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I HAVE A 1998 GMC SUBURBAN JUST PURCHASED AND I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN RECALL #05V379000. RESULT WAS MY WIFE SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR IN OUR DRIVEWAY. DAMAGE WAS MINIMAL BUT I SURE DON'T WANT HER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS FIXED! I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 24, 2007 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH SMELLED SMOKE. THEN, SAW FIRE COMING FROM DRIVER'S DOOR PANEL. STOPPED AND PUT OUT FIRE, CONSUMER STATED IT APPEARED FIRE STARTED AT MIRROR ADJUSTER ON DOOR PANEL. NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENT WAS USED PRIOR TO FIRE*AK.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 13, 2001 · fire

“A FIRE STARTED IN THE ELECTRICAL MIRROR SWITCH ASSEMBLY ON DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

“1998 GMC SUBURBAN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. OUR VEHICLE WAS SPECIAL ORDERED FROM GMAC IN 1997. THE ISSUES IN OUR TRANSMISSION STARTED LATE LAST SUMMER, 2002. THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE "BUMP" WHEN STARTING FROM A STANDSTILL AND GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEARS. AS STATED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 1, 2002

“THE TIRES THAT FAILED THE FIRST TIME HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH THE SAME FIRESTONE STEELTEX AT TIRES. THESE NEW TIRES ARE A YEAR OLD AND ALREADY ARE FALLING APART AND ALL CRACKED. I WANT FIRESTONE TO RECALL THESE TIRES BEFORE I GET INTO ANOTHER ACCIDENT. *AK (TIRESIZE: 16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16 )”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 15, 2000 · crash

1998 GMC Suburban — common questions

Is the 1998 GMC Suburban reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 137 complaints put the 1998 model at #7 of 26 Suburban years. It is one of the Suburban years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Suburban problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (33 complaints), visibility & wipers (18 complaints), transmission (17 complaints).

Does the 1998 GMC Suburban have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 GMC Suburban. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Suburban years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Suburban years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1995, 1997, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1992, 1991. The cleanest record among Suburban years belongs to 1982.

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.