1998 Chevrolet Suburban Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 24%of 201 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban, 24% of the 201 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Windshield wipers quit working during a strong storm on I-75. Luckily I was able to get over to the right lane and pull off the road...a buzzing noise was coming from a black motor casing, so I tapped it and the wipers began to work again. This has happen on numerous occasions. The car is dangerous to drive in the rain.”
NHTSA complaint #10036639, filed 2003-08, 63,000 miles“I have a 1998 Chevrolet Suburban 5.7l v8, 4x4 with the lt package. I am experiencing windshield wiper problems where the wipers fail approximately 50% of the time when needed. There is currently a recall on 94-97 model Chevrolet pickups/SUV's on this issue but the 98 models are not included. I believe I am experiencing the same problem and the issue should be GM's responsibility.”
NHTSA complaint #10025459, filed 2003-07, 95,000 miles“I received a recall notice for a faulty windshield wiper motor on my 1998 Suburban, the wiper would quit working periodical and you would here a buzzing noise but no wiper movement. By opening the hood and hitting or tapping on the wiper module they would work again temp for some time. I take the Suburban in with my recall notice, but they refuse to replace since they show this model is not affected or fall with the VIN #'s that show even though the exact symptoms exist. This is a major scam!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10053297, filed 2004-01, 60,000 miles“Windshield wipers have failed at least once almost every time used for quite some time now. Usually could be thumped & restarted. Today they failed several times and then quit altogether, in light to heavy rain, on the interstate. Drove to mcconnell in mobile and they knew exactly what was wrong.. Had obviously seen it plenty before. I had to pay $158.46 for the repair as they informed me the recall only covered '94 - '97. '98 should also be included!! Gm is very lucky that there have been no tragedies because of this... At least, that anybody knows about. …”
NHTSA complaint #10078743, filed 2004-06, 110,470 miles“I had my windshield wipers quit working on my 1998 Chevrolet Suburban. At first it started out once in awhile. However coming back from vacation in the autumn of 2001, I was coming through a mountain pass at 10:30 pm. It was raining very hard and on a two lane highway in the middle of the night my windshield wipers quit. I had my wife and 2 young daughters in the second row seat. There was no shoulder to pull over on, and in the pitch black I thought for sure we would either end up in the other lane and hit an oncoming car or end up in the ditch. …”
NHTSA complaint #10023637, filed 2003-06, 72,000 milesRelated recalls
- 03V093000Mar 7, 2003Certain sport utility vehicles, mini vans, and pickup trucks may develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.Covers: Chevrolet Suburban 1997–1998, GMC Suburban 1997–1998, Chevrolet Blazer 1997 +5 more
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% |
| 2015 | 6 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 3% |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2005 | 5 | 4% |
| 2004 | 9 | 4% |
| 2003 | 13 | 4% |
| 2002 | 9 | 3% |
| 2001 | 14 | 3% |
| 2000 | 21 | 7% |
| 1999 | 44 | 7% |
| 1998 | 48 | 24% |
| 1997 | 37 | 9% |
| 1996 | 42 | 12% |
| 1995 | 50 | 11% |
| 1994 | 168 | 20% |
| 1993 | 43 | 9% |
| 1992 | 17 | 9% |
| 1990 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
63 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsEngine cooling
17 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 30, 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