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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,452 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Chevrolet Suburban brakes problems

brakes problem

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1998 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Nov 222005

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 1998 Suburban had same repair done on the ABS brakes that current recall is out for 1999-2002 and GM is saying the part on 99-2000 recall is not the part on my 98 Suburban. The dealership says it is the same recall part and they are refusing to reimburse me for repairs I paid for before the recall was issued.

- Perry, MI, USA

problem #26

Nov 012004

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
The consumer complained about ABS brakes kicking in at low speeds. The service brakes and ABS will not hold when the ABS kicks in. The problem has been on going since November of 2004. The dealership cleaned and greased the brakes. They machined the rotors and replaced the left upper arm bushing. And they checked the ABS sensors. The problem recurred. When she contacted them they said they could not find the cause of the problem. It started getting worse in July of 2005. She took vehicle to the dealership again. They replaced the sensor bushings and an idle arm. The problem is still occurring. She took it back to them. They replaced two rear drums, the sway bar bushings, the U joints, and T tightened the transfer case. However, the problem recurred. A recall for the 2000 models was issued. When she contacted the manufacturer, they said that this model year vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact had to have the service brakes replaced before. The dealership replaced the rotors and the pads. The contact felt that it was a result of normal wear and tear..

- Smithfield, RI, USA

problem #25

Sep 202005

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
ABS brake system on the front driver's side wheel began having failures at very low speeds(under 10 mph) when the vehicle(1998 Chevrolet Tahoe) was coming to a full stop at the end of the drive or when pulling to a stop. This was occurring over & over more more than a month. I contacted white-allen chevolet in dayton Ohio and the service manager contacted the GM zone manager and GM would not warranty this repair saying that my vehicle did not fall under the recall years for this problem even though the problem was exactly the same as the recall issued for the same vehicle 1999-2002 ( mine is 1998). I finally had to have it done strictly because of my children's safety the day I made the appointment my daughter and I almost glided into traffic coming to a stop while taking her to school. The zone manager response to our claim was that my vehicle was not part of the recall and they will not have the repairs done as part of the recall even though the failure is the same defect according to the service manager. Service was supplied on 9/26/2005 at white-allen service order reads "checked ABS system right front sensor failure due to low voltage output action taken : replaced left front hub and bearing parts: Owner has the old replaced parts.

- Dayton , OH, USA

problem #24

Aug 202005

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I experienced the braking issue described in recall 05V379000. On the date below, I narrowly avoided a crash with children in the vicinity. The vehicle has been registered in mn since purchase to me as the original owner. I have experienced this braking issue 3 or so times over the last year.

- Forest Lake, MN, USA

problem #23

May 252005

Suburban

  • miles
Brakes shake and vibrate when braking. On occasion, brakes failed and pedal went to the floor. Mechanic inspected found "no problem" with brakes. The last incident with the brakes resulted in an accident when more than enough distance was given for stopping.

- Graham, WA, USA

problem #22

Apr 162005

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,595 miles
Brake pedal goes down or gets spongey at slow stopping speeds under 5 mph. It feels like an ABS event is occuring! no ABS light comes on. Incident occurs at nearly every stop. Stopping distance is longer. It feels like the vehicle is not going to stop. It is not a safe secure feeling when coming to a stop. I have hear (on the radio) that this is probabley the same kind of problem occuring as occuring on 1999 to 1005 vehicles. I believe my vehilce should be included in the repair.

- Oxford, MI, USA

problem #21

Feb 022004

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The antilock brakes on my 1998 Chevrolet Suburban activate at low speeds.if this condition occurs where stopping distance is limited a crash could occur..this is a for real safety issue and is documented in nhts item number 10000062. Noticed on the internet someone posted in Ontario Canada there is a GM recall for the speed sensors and corrosion.. I can not believe a issue involving brakes is not on a recall..... I asked a service manager about the problem I'm having and he quoted the speed sensor right away...come on GM knows they have a problem....going to take the vehicle to GM next week and ask to talk to the zone manager.

- Medina, OH, USA

problem #20

Jul 242003

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
1998 Suburban K1500 = repetitive problems with rear brakes not self adjusting, replaced brake shoes twice, replaced springs and all hardware once (since 2000) with no avail. Rear brakes don't work well, front brakes need to stop vehicle antilock brakes have to kick in to stop vehicle. Transfer case now leaking and wondering if rear brake problem is the cause of transfer case problem. Have there been any recalls on this vehicle?

- Attleboro, MA, USA

problem #19

Aug 052002

(reported on)

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
Chevrolet has brushed me off severerl times by saying I never brought the vehicle in to a GM dealer for brakes the first time I ddidnt feel I was obligated to go to GM I went to brake max this is a big problem and Chevy wont fess up and help the public the truck is to big for the brake system made for this application.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #18

Mar 012000

Suburban

  • miles
The anti-lock brakes have always pulled to the right and are getting worse. The auto was taken to the dealership several times while under warranty with no satisfaction. Other Suburban have had the same problem, but no recall has been issued. California has a lemon law, but not Oregon....there have been several complaints about this problem in ca with satisfaction B/C of the lemon law. The problem keeps getting worse until the time comes when the auto almost leaves the road after applying the brakes

- Mcminnville, OR, USA

problem #17

Nov 012000

Suburban Diesel

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The brake pedal will go to the floor under moderate braking. The brake system is inadequate for such a heavy duty 3/4 ton vehicle. Have had several near misses, when having to brake suddenly, where there was sufficient distance between my vehicle and the vehicle in front of me. The brakes make a groaning noise under hard braking. Also, vehicle pulls wildly and hard when emergency braking.

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #16

Dec 011998

Suburban 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
At any speed and intermittently when depressing brakes, vehicle goes into extended stopping distance traveling to the left or right.. consumer states most of the complaints have been repaired under warranty, however within a short interval, problems arise again, the dealer has stated the problem may be a design issue.

- Stanfordville, NY, USA

problem #15

Jan 302001

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
Brakes-when coming to stop pedal is hard then drops about an inch more before vehicle stops.anti lock will sometimes engage and stop vehicle. After vehicle stops I can continue to push pedal all the way to floor. Dealer replaced rear dump valve but problem still there. Master cylinder has been replaced, new rotors, new back brake shoes(3rd set). Brake problem started in Jan 2001. Intake gasket is leaking. Fuel pump is running very noisy, nosier than when new. I know that this means it is going to go.so I will have to replace it.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #14

Jan 122001

(reported on)

Suburban

  • miles
Upon braking and completely stopping brakejust releases by itself.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #13

Apr 011999

Suburban

  • miles
All 4 brakes locked up, and consumer went in a 90 degree circle. Presently, brakes won't stop, they go to floor, and vehicle pulls to the right.

- Boise, OH, USA

problem #12

Sep 302000

(reported on)

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
My truck since new once every one or two weeks the brakes don't work, when you more need them, suddent stop not panic stop. Was reported in several occasion to the deler, they inspected repace pads... no problem with brakes. The truck continue with the same problem. The last 9/25/00 the car started running like when the brakes is on and lock it.one more time pads every think is replaced, but this time continue lock, know contamination is susp. "?" more parts to be change. I am requesting help this is normal, I am very concern about my family safety. We need to wait until a fatality occur to then someone concern about this matter. I have a naibor have the same problem, and he was involved in an accident. I will like to know if is more data about this matter and what I can do to prevent a fatal accident. Thanks.

- Lawton, OK, USA

problem #11

Jun 012000

Suburban

  • miles
When traveling about 25mph and applying brakes pedal goes all the way to the floor. Also, vehicle makes a clinking and clunking noise. He has to let off of brakes in order to brake the vehicle to slow down. He has contacted manufacturer.

- Clark, NJ, USA

problem #10

Nov 291997

Suburban Diesel

  • miles
I have reported the problem before oid id: 701281, this needs to be addressed before someone else dies. Oid id:609017, 609109, 541068, 541537, 609005, 536544, 537798, 534868, 607646, 824021, 859425, 701281, 709150, 714200, 607214, 609769, 833732, 846325, 846347, 857553 are all related. No safety defect mentioned within summary.

- Batavia, IL, USA

problem #9

Jan 151998

Suburban 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experienced problem with braking system; when brakes were applied vehicle would pull to the right, and sometimes to the left. Vehicle has been at dealer's repair shop on several occasions, and nothing has been found to correct the problem.

- Bloomington, MN, USA

problem #8

Nov 011997

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle is a company vehicle and was purchased without test drive. After vehicle was put into service we experienced insufficient braking power, grabing brakes, 100% loss of brakes. Original dealer replaced brake pads, rotors & ABS system. Maryville, tn dealer also replaced pads & ABS parts. Still vehicle has no stopping power. On going problem which creates a dangerous vehicle.

- Sweetwater, TN, USA

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