1998 Chevrolet Suburban Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 8%of 201 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,598miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban, 8% of the 201 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,598 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 complaint #10007839, filed 2003-02, 69,000 miles“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 .”
NHTSA complaint #10039261, filed 2003-09, 32,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #755434, filed 2001-12“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“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! …”
NHTSA complaint #705153, filed 1999-03Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10139019May 3, 2013This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on High Oil Pressure on Startup After Engine Replacement Concern.
- 10014959Mar 1, 2005Replacement of connector when replacing fuel tank module/fuel pump module.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 13% |
| 2023 | 9 | 7% |
| 2022 | 5 | 4% |
| 2021 | 11 | 5% |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 4% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 12 | 6% |
| 2003 | 10 | 3% |
| 2002 | 16 | 6% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% |
| 1999 | 33 | 5% |
| 1998 | 17 | 8% |
| 1997 | 20 | 5% |
| 1996 | 36 | 10% |
| 1995 | 11 | 2% |
| 1994 | 23 | 3% |
| 1993 | 17 | 3% |
| 1992 | 7 | 4% |
| 1991 | 4 | 8% |
| 1990 | 2 | 4% |
| 1989 | 4 | 6% |
| 1988 | 2 | 7% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1985 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
63 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
48 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsElectrical system
14 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 28, 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