1998 Chevrolet Suburban Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 7%of 201 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,445miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban, 7% of the 201 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,445 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1998 chevy tahoe wont start, spontaneously. It will turn over, but wont start. First time it happened wasn't sure what was wrong, tried it again after 10-15 minutes and it started. I figured it was just cold. Second time it happened, it was about 45 minutes before it started, and I was told by the guy at the tire dealer, that his and a friends tahoe had the same problem, I should take it to the dealer. I did this and was told it was the theft deterrent module. After several hundred dollars and a rental car for a week I got the truck back. It was about 2 months later, it happened again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10109951, filed 2005-02, 110,890 miles“Problem with electrical system on Chevrolet Suburban 1998 model. Vehicle was purchased in september 1997 but is a 1998 model. Problems are as follows: . Chevrolet has a recall for 1997 model for windshield wiper malfunction I have a 1998 model with the same problem but the recall does not cover it. 2. I also have problem with the remote control. Vehicle has some sort of wiring problem, I changed the batteries on the remote control but it will not work. 3. I had to change wiring harness for rear lights since the lights would not work and dealership said that I had to change the wiring.”
NHTSA complaint #10029090, filed 2003-07, 80,000 miles“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! …”
NHTSA complaint #738749, filed 2001-01“While driving consumer smelled something burning, stopped and saw yellow smoke coming from behind driver's door panel, sparks were flying. Smoke stopped, fuse had blown. Mechanic found that wire to outside mirror switch. After further investigation, it was found that the wire was 14 gauge. The electrical short occured at the mirror switch.”
NHTSA complaint #889892, filed 2001-06“Intermittently vehicle will not start. Dealer has inspected vehicle, and discovered that wires to battery were loose. Since dealer reconnected wires, vehicle stalled out and died. Dealer inspected vehicle, and was not able to duplicate or correct problem.”
NHTSA complaint #882992, filed 2001-03Related service bulletins
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10113443Feb 22, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10027804Nov 1, 2008General motors corp: special coverage adjustment; analog onstar deactivation. *pe updated 2/17/09.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 11% |
| 2023 | 14 | 11% |
| 2022 | 22 | 18% |
| 2021 | 20 | 10% |
| 2020 | 8 | 18% |
| 2019 | 7 | 9% |
| 2018 | 17 | 20% |
| 2017 | 21 | 15% |
| 2016 | 26 | 12% |
| 2015 | 58 | 13% |
| 2014 | 7 | 12% |
| 2013 | 14 | 12% |
| 2012 | 10 | 10% |
| 2011 | 10 | 7% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 16 | 15% |
| 2008 | 22 | 10% |
| 2007 | 25 | 9% |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% |
| 2005 | 36 | 28% |
| 2004 | 72 | 35% |
| 2003 | 81 | 27% |
| 2002 | 10 | 4% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 13 | 5% |
| 1999 | 58 | 9% |
| 1998 | 14 | 7% |
| 1997 | 42 | 10% |
| 1996 | 47 | 13% |
| 1995 | 32 | 7% |
| 1994 | 21 | 2% |
| 1993 | 7 | 1% |
| 1992 | 9 | 5% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 3 | 6% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
63 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
48 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsTires
14 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology