1998 GMC Suburban problems
Owners have filed 137 complaints about the 1998 GMC Suburban with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 21.9% of them — the clear leader, ahead of visibility at 13.1%.
Complaints137
Crashes10
Fires3
Injuries7
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 21.9% · 30
Visibility 13.1% · 18
Electrical system 12.4% · 17
Power train 12.4% · 17
Tires 8.0% · 11
Steering 5.8% · 8
Engine and engine cooling 3.6% · 5
Seat belts 2.9% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 10 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire, 7 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the GMC Suburban in this data, 1998 draws comparatively few complaints; 1994 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 58 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 88,393 miles.
In owners' own words
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 year (1998) is not effected! Yeah, right! Service brakes, hydraulic · reported at 109,200 miles
A 4-wheel drive, abs braking engages unexpectedly and won't return to normal, causing extended stopping distance which may result in a crash. Dealer could determine cause. *Ak abs emgages intermittently and the vehicle jerks when brake is applied. Abs also does not disengage when stopping on dry pavement. Service brakes, hydraulic
Consumer request for reimbursement of repairs on GMC 1998 Suburban. *Bf the consumer learned of a recall regarding the rotors, however the dealer informed the consumer the recall was only for c type trucks not k and the only difference being a c is a two wheel drive and the k type is four-wheel drive. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other GMC Suburban years
1993 254 complaints · 70.9% service brakes, hydraulic 1994 490 complaints · 61.2% service brakes, hydraulic 1995 294 complaints · 40.5% service brakes, hydraulic 1996 220 complaints · 34.1% service brakes, hydraulic 1997 268 complaints · 26.1% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 393 complaints · 36.6% service brakes, hydraulic