Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 263 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 263 · page 1 of 11
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.
DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE SHORTLY AFTER USE (SEVERAL HOURS). A LIGHT RAIN STORM CAME WHILE THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN. SOME RAIN ENTERED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, SOME WATER LIKELY GOT INTO THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THIS ALL HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE CURB AND IGNITION WAS OFF. I TOWELED OFF THE INTERIOR AND SWITCH ASSEMBLY OFF, IT DIDN'T APPEAR MUCH WATER ENTERED THE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND "OFF" THIS WHOLE TIME. I TURNED IGNITION ON TO ROLL WINDOWS BACK UP, AND PROMPTLY TURNED THE IGNITION BACK OFF. SOME HOURS LATER, THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY CAUGHT FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THIS FIRE WASN'T DISCOVERED UNTIL THE NEXT DAY AS IT SELF-EXTINGUISHED. THE BATTERY WAS NOT DISCHARGED AFTER THE FIRE, SO IT WAS NOT A DEAD SHORT IN THE WIRING. I BELIEVE THE AUTO-DOWN CIRCUIT BOARD OR THE ELECTRIC MIRROR SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE. AFTER THE FIRE, THE PASS SIDE MIRROR WAS FULLY EXTENDED AWAY, AT SOME POINT THE CONTACTS WERE CLOSED CAUSING THE MIRROR TO MOVE, DESPITE THE IGNITION BEING "OFF". THIS HAPPENED EITHER DURING THE FIRE, OR THE SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE IGNITION WAS ONLY "ON" FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THAT WHOLE DAY PRIOR TO THE FIRE, JUST LONG ENOUGH TO ROLL UP THE WINDOWS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND THE FRONT DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
MY VEHICLE FAILED TO START UPON LEAVING THE MALL. AFTER SEVERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING PROCEDURES AT MY RESIDENT THE NEXT DAY, I FOUND THAT THE IN TANK FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS NOT WORKING. DURING THE GENTLY LOWERING OF THE FUEL TANK, THE SENDING UNIT TO FILTER FUEL LINE THAT RUNS ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FRAME JUST CRUMBLED INTO CHUNKS OF RUST. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT GM ACTUALLY INSTALLED FUEL LINES MADE OUT OF PLAIN UNPROTECTED STEEL TUBING, ESPECIALLY ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS SOLD AND OPERATED IN A SNOW BELT STATE. ALSO WHILE I WAS REPLACING THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE THAT FEEDS THE REAR BRAKES THAT ALSO RUNS ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME WAS IN THE SAME SAD SHAPE, DURING REMOVAL OF THIS BRAKE LINE, IT ALSO CRUMBLED INTO CHUNKS OF RUST, HOW THESE LINES DID NOT FAIL PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT IS BEYOND ME. IF IT WASN'T FOR BEING A SKILLED MECHANIC BY TRADE, THIS WOULD HAVE COST A FORTUNE IN LABOR COST TO REPAIR. FOR A VEHICLE SOLD/OPERATED IN SNOW BELT STATES, THESE LINES SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL OR SOME OTHER NON-FERROUS ALLOY MATERIAL.
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FEELS LIKE TRUCK IS HYDROPLANING/SLIDING TO THE RIGHT AND A BRIEF LOST OR LOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL..... FRONT END HAS BEEN CHECKED AND EVERYTHING IS GOOD/TIGHT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE IH-93 NB AT 55 MPH. SUDDENLY THE CAR BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE TIRES, BUT DID NOT SEE ANY PROBLEMS. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE INFLATED TO THE SPECS (35 PSI). I KEPT DRIVING, AND AFTER 20-25 MILES I HEARD A SOUND AS IF SOMETHING WAS RUBBING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER FENDER AREA. I BEGAN SLOWING DOWN AND WANTED TO STOP. AT THAT MOMENT MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE SEPARATED. IT WAS A PRIMEWELL VALERA HT 235/75-15 TIRE, INSTALLED AT A FIRESTONE SHOP IN PLAISTOW, NH IN NOVEMBER, 2014 WITH A FEW HUNDRED MILES ON IT. *TR
DRIVER'S SIDE REAR HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE ALONG FRAME RAIL FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION IN LINE. *TR
STARTED TRUCK, STEPPED ON BRAKE TO ENGAGE REVERSE GEAR, PEDAL DROPPED ALMOST TO FLOOR. REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTY AND FLUID BROKE THROUGH NEAR THE GAS TANK AREA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH AND EXPERIENCED A SEIZURE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CRASH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUFFER HEAD INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS MY TAHOE WILL CRANK START BUT ONLY RUN FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND THEN SHUTS OFF. AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OTHER GM OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY ANNOYING AND INCONVENIENCING. IM SURE ITS COST MANY PEOPLE THERE JOBS OR AT MINIMUM GOTTEN THEM IN TROUBLE FOR BEING EITHER LATE OR UNABLE TO COME IN TO WORK. I AM IN THE MILITARY AND THE MY CAR WONT START DOESN'T COME OFF VERY WELL WITH MY SUPERIORS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR
1998 CHEVY TAHOE WIRING HARNESS FROM BRAKE PEDAL. BRAKE WIRING HARNESS MOVES WITH BRAKE PEDAL MOTION (I.E. WHEN BRAKES ARE ACTIVATED). OVER TIME, THIS MOTION CAUSES WIRES TO BREAK RESULTING IN BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE. *TR
98 TAHOE, HAS ABS BRAKING ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE DURING STOPPING AND SEVERELY EXTEND THE STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIRED TO COMPLETELY STOP. PEDAL IS VERY SPONGY AND DOES NOT RESPOND LIKE IT SHOULD. MULTIPLE SHOPS HAVE STATED THE ABS IS A REPEATING ISSUE WITH THE TAHOES. HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE ACCIDENTS AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE ALLOWING OTHERS TO DRIVE VEHICLE AS THEY ARE NOT USED TO THE STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIRED. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE. AT LOW SPEEDS HE EXPERIENCED UNWANTED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) ACTIVATION. THE CONDITION LEADS TO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104000.
KEEP REPLACING MY WIPERS BLADE AND WIRES, DON'T KNOW IF IT BEEN RECALL OR THERE SOMETHING WRONG, IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN, IT DON'T WANT TO WORK. 1998 TAHOE CHEVY. *TR
I WAS IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *TR
I OWN A 1998 CHEVY TAHOE 2 DR 4WD. IT HAD 114,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND THE MOTOR WAS RUINED REQUIRING A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN ABUSED. MAINTENANCE WAS REGULAR. I'VE NOW FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON DESIGN DEFECT LEADING TO FAILURE. I NOW BUY MAZDA OR TOYOTA VEHICLES. *TR
1998 CHEVY TAHOE LOOSE STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN GOING THRU A SLIGHT CURVE IT FEELS AS THOUGH YOU HIT A PATCH OF ICE. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A SLIGHT JERK THAT SCARES THE LIFE OUT OF YOU. REPLACED STEERING SENSOR, STEERING BOX, ENTIRE FRONT END AND IT STILL DOES IT..THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED THE DEFECT AND CALLED CHEVROLET AND GM. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
MY HUSBAND BOUGHT OFF A PRIVATE PARTY A 1998 TAHOE, FOR A DAUGHTER. SHE HAS COMPLAINED THAT AT LESS THAN 10 MILES AN HOUR SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WILL FAIL. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THE FAILURE. I HAVE HER CAR AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT I SEE ALSO THAT AT LESS THAN 10 MILES AN HOUR SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WILL FAIL. I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS --- SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLES BRAKING SYSTEM AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IT IS. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS AND IF SO WHAT CAN I HAVE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. I AM VERY CONCERNED WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE MY DAUGHTER DID HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN IT OCCURRED TO HER -- I WOULD SAY APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE ADJUSTING THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT CAME OFF TRACK AROUND THE FLOOR BOLTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
OUTSIDE TEMP BELOW FREEZING SO I HEATED UP MY 1998 CHEVY TAHOE (INCLUDING HEATED LEATHER SEATS ON LOW SETTING) AND WHEN I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE LESS THAN 5 MINUTES LATER, DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAT 90,000 MILES AND HAS NOT BEEN MISTREATED. I HAPPENED TO HAVE A DRINK IN MY HAND SO I POURED IT ON THE SEAT TO PUT IT OUT. HAD I ACTUALLY BEEN SITTING ON THE SEAT, I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY BURNED. *TR
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT FEELS LIKE DRIVING ON ICE. WHEN IT IS COLD THE STEERING FEEL LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME TILL THE TAHOE WARMS UP THEN I AM BACK THE RANDOM TURNING. WILL NOT LET ANYONE IN MY HOUSEHOLD DRIVE THE TAHOE BECAUSE OF THIS. FOUND A BUNCH OF OTHER TAHOES WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THE STEERING EVO SENSOR IS BAD. LOOKS LIKE THE TAHOE WOULD SEND SOME TYPE OF MESSAGE TO INFORM THE DRIVER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED OR A BYPASS INSTALLED IN CASE OF FAILURE. *TR
1998 TAHOE ABS BRAKING PROBLEM. ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES AT LOW SPEED MAKING IT VERY HARD TO STOP VEHICLE SAFELY. *NM
WHEN TRAVELING 10 MPH OR UNDER THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SYSTEM STARTS MAKING IT HARD TO STOP. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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