RoadVitals

1998 Chevrolet Suburban Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Jan 15, 2004
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 201 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

WE STILL NEED OUR VEHICLE FIXED!!! WE GOT THE RUNAROUND AND WERE DISCOURAGED FROM PURSUING THE PROBLEM AS THE GM & GMPP CUSTOMER SERVICE? EMPLOYEES KEPT TRYING TO BEAT US DOWN SO WE WOULD GIVE UP. GM & GMPP EMPLOYEES HAVE DONE THEIR BEST TO DISCOURAGE US FROM PURCHASING ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. THANK YOU, [XXX] VIN #[XXX] [XXX] 87 TOTAL PROBLEMS NEVER FIXED. SUMMARY OF REPAIRS (CONTINUED) 1)OIL LEAKS14 TIMES, NEVER FIXED 2)ENGINE ROUGH IDLE10 TIMES NEVER FIXED 3)WIND NOISE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW6 TIMES NEVER FIXED 4)COOLING SYSTEM LEAKS\T4 TIMES 5)DOME LIGHT\T4 TIMES 6)STEERING\T4 TIMES NEVER FIXED 7)TAILGATE CARPET\T4 TIMES\EVER FIXED 8)DOOR (LEFT REAR) GLASS RATTLE3 TIMES NEVER FIXED 9)GRAB HANDLES COVER CAPS3 TIMES NEVER FIXED 10)REAR AXLE 3 TIMES 11)SUSPENSION CLUNK (LEFT FRONT)3 TIMES 12)AIR CONDITIONING 2 TIMES 13)BATTERY2 TIMES AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, WAS REPLACED BY A BETTER COSTCO BATTERY 14) DOOR (RIGHT FRONT) GLASS 2 TIMES 15)FUEL FILTER 2 TIMES FIXED FOR NO REASON 16) MIRROR 2 TIMES 17)SIGNAL (RIGHT REAR) 2 TIMES NEVER FIXED 18) SEAT BELT 2 TIMES 19) SEATS 2 TIMES 20) TAILGATE ALIGNMENT2 TIMES 21)TRANSMISSION2 TIMES 22)WINDOW STRUT (REAR)2 TIMES 23)WIPERS2 TIMES 24)ALTERNATOR OUTPUT CABLE1 TIME 25)2 HIGH SWITCHES1 TIME 26)AXLE LEAKS1 TIME 27BRAKE SYSTEM1 TIME 28)DOOR (RIGHT REAR) GLASS CHANNEL\T1 TIME 29)FUEL PUMP\T1 TIME 30) SUN VISOR1 TIME HISTORY MISFIRE (ROUGH IDLE) WARRANTY DISPUTE 1)THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO GUY SCHMIDT SIX (6) TIMES FOR MISFIRE (ROUGH IDLE). 2)THE VEHICLE NEVER HAD DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER CODES PRESENT. 3)BY WORKING, REPLACING PARTS AND BILLING GMPP FOR SERVICES PERFORMED, GUY SCHMIDT CONFIRMED AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MISFIRE (ROUGH IDLE) WAS PRESENT. 4) AFTER SIX (6) TIMES AT GUY SCHMIDT, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO TRY COMMUNITY CHEVROLET SINCE GUY SCHMIDT COULDN'T REPAIR THE PROBLEM AFTER SIX (6) ATTEMPTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10070197
Incident
Aug 15, 1998
Mileage
40,195 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 29, 2003

HYDRAULIC VALVE LIFTERS IN 7.4L ENGINE CAME APART UNDER NORMAL DRIVING AT 78,000 MI. OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED REGULARLY SINCE NEW. *AK

NHTSA ID
10048810
Incident
Nov 25, 2003
Mileage
78,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 9, 2003

CHEVROLET SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSISTENTLY ON IN THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP CAN'T SEEM TO GIVE AN HONEST ANSWER AS TO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. *LA

NHTSA ID
10041560
Incident
Sep 30, 2003
EngineInterior & seatsPowertrain (other)+2 more
Filed Sep 21, 2003

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 32000 MILES - RADIATOR REPLACED AT 54000 - WATER PUMP- DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS REPLACED NOW DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK . *JB

NHTSA ID
10039261
Incident
Mar 24, 2000
Mileage
32,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 7, 2003

THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLES RECALL! THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED, HE RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE A ONE MONTH AGO RECALL NUMBER#50112290 TO REPLACE FUEL JUMPER HARNESS. THE FIRST DEALER GRAFF CHEVROLET 972 263 2281 1405 EAST MAIN STREET GRAND PRAIRE TX. SECOND DEALERSHIP : VAN CHEVROLET SERVICE MANAGER FRANK SOUTH 35E CAROLLTON TX 972 389 6700. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10019390
Incident
May 7, 2003
Engine
Filed Feb 20, 2003

THE INTAKE GASKET FAILS AFTER ABOUT 4 YEARS OF SERVICE. I AM TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN OF THE GASKETS AND THE EXTENDED LIFE ANTI-FREEZE USED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OF THE GASKET ALLOWS ANTI-FREEZE TO MIX WITH THE OIL WHICH CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IF NOT DETECTED. THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF 3 FAILURES OF THIS GASKET. THE ANTI-FREEZE ALSO DEGRADES SOME FITTINGS THAT GO INTO THE INTAKE.

NHTSA ID
10007839
Incident
Dec 12, 2002
Mileage
69,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 8, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
755434
Incident
Jul 11, 2001
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 6, 2001

3 FUEL INJECTORS FAILED (#1, #7 AND #8). NLM

NHTSA ID
560211
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jan 3, 2001

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.

NHTSA ID
738749
Incident
Jan 2, 2001
Engine
Filed Oct 11, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
734040
Incident
Oct 10, 2000
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+5 more
Filed Sep 20, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
554863
Incident
Feb 16, 1998
Engine
Filed Sep 8, 1999

WELD ON HEAT SHIELD.

NHTSA ID
609578
Engine
Filed Jul 25, 1999

PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURE FROM DAY ONE. 1ST:ORIGINAL POWER STEERING PUMP THAT CONTROLS THE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS REPLACED WHEN PULLEY SHAFT BROKE. LOST ALL POWER AND BRAKING ABILITY WHEN THE PUMP SHAFT BROKE. NO BRAKES NO STEERING. 2ND: SINCE INITIAL PURCHASE I HAVE HAD PANIC BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN BRAKES ARE REQUIRED AT PANIC STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES BECOME INACTIVE UNTIL PRESSURE BUILDS UP AND PEDAL REGAINS ORIGINAL HEIGHT. AT THAT TIME THE BRAKES WILL BECOME ACTIVE AND START TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT SOMEONE WHO JUMPED INFRONT OF MY VEHICLE. SWERVED TO AVOID INCIDENT. HAVE SPOKE TO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND ALL SAY THAT THAT IS NORMAL AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER SUBURBAN OWNERS WHO ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND ALSO TO NOTHING WRONG. 3RD PROBLEM IS WITH STEERING SYSTEM IS TOO LOOSE. TRUCK WANDERS AT HWY SPEEDS. MUST CONTINUALLY READJUST STEERING BACK AND FORTH.

NHTSA ID
709148
Incident
Nov 1, 1998
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 31, 1999

I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ONCE. THEY JUST FILLED UP THE BRAKE FLUID. 2ND TIME THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL. THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS AT THE ENGINE.I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING . TOOK IT IN TWO OR THREE TIMES FOR THAT. THEY REPLACED SOME SWITCHES . THEN HAD TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED THE REAR AIRCONDITIONER. WE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK TO PULL A 20 FT TRAILER THE TRAILER WEIGHS 4200 LB. THE SUBURBAN HAS A 3.73 DIFFERENTIAL AND THE TRAILERING PKG. PLUS POST TRACTION OR WHATEVER THETY CALL IT NOW! WE WENT ON A VACATION IN NOV. PLANNING ON BEING HOME THE 1ST OF THE YEAR. OUR !ST DIFFERENTIAL BROKE OUTSIDE OF FREDERICK MD. IT WAS REPLACED. UPON TRYING TO RETURN HOME THE 2ND DIFFERENTIAL BROKE! IT WAS REPLACED IN LOUISVILLE KY. CONTINUNING OUR VENTURE HOME. THE 3RD DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT IN MOBILE ALA. THEY GAVE ME A VERY DIFFICULT TIME. TOLD ME IT WAS MY FAULT. I WAS EITHER GOING TOO FAST OF THE TRAILER WAS TOO HEAVY. NEITHER ACUSATIONS WERE TRUE! UPON FINALLY ARRIVING HOME (ALMOST) THE 4TH DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT AND REPLACED. I HAVE LOST ALL FAITH & TRUST IN THIS VECHICLE. AM SCARED TO DEATH TO TAKE IT ON THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND IS 67 YEARS OLD AND HAS DREAMED OF HIS RETIREMENT ALL HIS LIFE. NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH A SUBURBAN WE DON'T DARE TAKE ON THE ROAD FOR FEAR OF IT BREAKING DOWN AGAIN. CHEVROLET REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE GARAGE WE PURCHASED IT FROM HAS BEEN VERY NICE. HOWEVER, THEY ALSO HAVE BEEN NO HELP IN THIS ISSUE! ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE PERTAINING TO CHEVROLET REPLACING MY SUBURBAN WOUYLD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK

NHTSA ID
705153
Incident
Oct 1, 1998
EngineTires & wheelsVisibility
Filed Sep 24, 1998

DIGITAL COMPASS/TEMPERATURE READOUT GIVING INACCURATE READING FAILED.

NHTSA ID
541068
Engine
Filed Jul 29, 1998

COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, AND WHEN DRIVING 200 MILES OR MORE THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE BECAUSE ANTI-FREEZE GOT INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH A HEAD GASKET. *AK

NHTSA ID
825978
Incident
Jul 3, 1998
BrakesHeating & air conditioningEngine
Filed Apr 28, 1998

ENGINE FAILED.

NHTSA ID
534868
Incident
Apr 10, 1998

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .