Model year record

1998 GMC Suburban

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 137 owner complaints on file.

GMC Suburban, 1992–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1992–1999 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V093000

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior

Component
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
507,171
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-07
Owners notified
2003-04-24

Defect description

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V033000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,137
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-17
Owners notified
1998-03-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip15100,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1097,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor10104,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery968,100 mi
Tires: tread/belt738,371 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic488,393 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer470,000 mi
Steering350,000 mi
Tires3—
Unknown or other336,328 mi
Electrical system2—
Electrical system: wiring2—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Engine and engine cooling288,393 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine250,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2—
Power train2—
Seat belts2—
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Service brakes, air: antilock2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor212,500 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system269,000 mi
Structure: body: door2—
Air bags: frontal1109,968 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer114 mi
Fuel system, gasoline188,393 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump114 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump1—
Interior lighting1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1—
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1110,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum110,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Structure: body1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly1—
Tires: valve1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: linkages1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other GMC Suburban model years

All GMC Suburban recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.