1998 Chevrolet Tahoe Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 8%of 263 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,898miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe, 8% of the 263 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,898 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Slip in the drivetrain when accelerating from a stopped position. I have taken my 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe to a certified dealer and currently there is not a solution to the problem. This is a severe concern to me as I could lose control of my vehicle on the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10031034, filed 2003-08, 67,000 miles“I purchased my vehicle with 42,093 miles with the dealers additional coverage of 3,000 miles bringing the total coverage to 45.093 miles on 06/25/2001 at 47,297 miles my vehicle started hesitating on the start after being stopped it was taken to the repair dealer meissner Chevrolet at 70th essington ave phila pa where it was found to have code 1870 internal transmission failure it has to be replaced I'm very dissapointed about this I always wanted a chevy trunk and now I sincerely regret it.”
NHTSA complaint #747451, filed 2001-06“I have never had a transmission go on a car and have driven other GM cars well over 100,000 miles. This car has gone in for dealer service every 3,000 miles. While checking on the internet about this, I find that some owners of '98 tahoes have replaced their transmission twice by 50,000 miles. I really think something should be done about a company that puts a transmission in a vehile that they know is faulty. If you can not help me, can you direct me to a class action suit or something else I can do?”
NHTSA complaint #751927, filed 2001-09“These problems have been with this vehicle since purchase. It has been returned to the dealer for corrective action . The reply has always been rearend wind-up is the problem and it is not covered under warranty. We purchased a three year /36,000 mile warranty to cover these types of defects, only to have the dealer tell us that the warranty will not cover this rearend wind-up as it is a regular maintanence item. I have searched the owners manual for this item and have not found it as a maintanence item, according to GM. …”
NHTSA complaint #756443, filed 2002-01“7/15/98one month old the car locked into 4wd when it was started in the driveway.it would not shift out it was inoperative.it needed parts replaced to fix.the car was taken in again because it felt like it was locked in 4wd again because all the axiles were turning.I was told that was normal and that the universals were worn out.that made three universals in three years.also that the lights on dashbaord for the 4wd uni would not stay on to tell if you were in 4wd or not.now something in the transfer case is broken.I recently read the owners manual on the 4wd unit and it says the front…”
NHTSA complaint #757202, filed 2002-01Related service bulletins
- 10016707Sep 28, 2005Four wheel drive inoperative and the 4wd service light will illuminate. Diagnosis may reveal that the atc fuse could be open, possible dtc c0308, or various u codes may be set…
- 10014809May 10, 20054wd inoperative and diagnostic trouble code (dtc) u1026 atc fuse open.
- 10013572Apr 21, 20054wd models with noise, vibration on dry pavement.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 11% |
| 2025 | 5 | 10% |
| 2024 | 7 | 10% |
| 2023 | 47 | 20% |
| 2022 | 40 | 20% |
| 2021 | 90 | 19% |
| 2020 | 14 | 25% |
| 2019 | 39 | 36% |
| 2018 | 20 | 19% |
| 2017 | 53 | 30% |
| 2016 | 47 | 18% |
| 2015 | 55 | 8% |
| 2014 | 5 | 6% |
| 2013 | 9 | 4% |
| 2012 | 7 | 4% |
| 2011 | 5 | 1% |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% |
| 2009 | 12 | 4% |
| 2008 | 9 | 2% |
| 2007 | 50 | 4% |
| 2006 | 8 | 7% |
| 2005 | 24 | 8% |
| 2004 | 26 | 6% |
| 2003 | 19 | 4% |
| 2002 | 37 | 8% |
| 2001 | 27 | 5% |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% |
| 1999 | 45 | 8% |
| 1998 | 21 | 8% |
| 1997 | 58 | 14% |
| 1996 | 37 | 13% |
| 1995 | 13 | 5% |
| 1993 | 1 | 13% |
| 1992 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
77 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
50 complaintsSteering
31 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsTires
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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