While sitting.. Standing still.. Parked.. The spare tire in the rear of the suburban exploded.. I discovered this several days later.. The explosion caused approximately $650 in damage.. Not including the cost of the tire itself.. I contacted b.f. Goodrich and was assigned a claim number .. A case number.. 2983357.. I submitted informationtto b.f. Goodrich with no reply at this time..
The worst 1998 GMC Suburban problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes29
- Visibility17
- Electrical16
- Transmission15
- Tires11
- Steering7
- Engine5
- Fuel system5
- Seat belts4
- Seats3
- Body2
- Locks2
- Suspension2
- Airbags1
- Lights1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 GMC Suburban
Recalls 2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles, mini vans, and pickup trucks may develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch.
- Risk
- If this were to happen, it could result in an inoperative switch, heat damage to the driver's door, and/or ignition of components in the driver's door and a subsequent vehicle fire without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch. Owner notification began on april 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 03V093000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. One or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.
- Risk
- If a driver continues to drive with a cracked rotor, the cracks could continue around the wheel mounting bolt circle and ultimately result in a wheel separation.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
Recall number 98V033000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 GMC Suburban 35
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
1998 GMC Suburban fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L 8‑cyl | RWD | 12 | 17 | 14 |
What 1998 GMC Suburban owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have a 1998 gmc suburban just purchased and I experienced the same problem described in recall #05v379000. Result was my wife slammed into the back of another car in our driveway. Damage was minimal but I sure don't want her driving this vehicle until it is fixed! I called gm and they said this year (1998) is not effected! Yeah, right!
Previous separation of the tread on passenger rear tire, replaced with spare on july 18, 2006. Checked all other tires showed good condition. July 24, 2006 while driving freeway separation of driver side tire tread caused major car accident. Summit premium plus tires.
Dt*: the contact stated at speeds below 10 MPH, the ABS would pump and grab. As a result, the brake pedal needed excessive pressure to stop. The dealership determined the driver side front hub and bearing needed to be replaced. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 05v379000, regarding the anti-lock brakes. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. The consumer was informed the ABS sensors needed to be replaced. Updated 03/17/06. 8jb
Dt: the contact stated while the engine was warming up, and a few minutes later while getting in to the vehicle, the passenger's seat was smoking. The heater in the seat burned a hole in the seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. The dealership told the contact if the seat heater was turned on again it would short out.
Dt: the contact states there is a the federal safety agency recall campaign 05v379000 concerning the anti lock brakes. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN and the model year. The contact repaired the vehicle at her own expense.
Wiring to the electric fuel pump can over heat (and possibly cause a fire) when the fuel pump fails. This would occur when the fuel pump is in a failed (locked) condition while power is applied to the pump. The electrical current draw is higher than the rating of the wiring.
Abs locked at low speeds.
Dt: the consumer stated that the ABS locked up at low speeds. The consumer stated that this happens every time she slowed down. The problem would occur at 10 MPH and slower when pulling into parking spots. There was a recall on this for other gmc vehicles. Recall campaign #05v379000; anti-lock. The manufacturer had been contacted. The dealer was called but they have no information on the recall yet. *jb (11/17/05) the consumer stated that she almost went through the store window as a result of this problem.
Dt: the contact owns a 1998 gmc suburban. He states that on june 1, 2005 vehicle was in a accident and was hit in the front end. Upon impact, none of the air bags deployed.
Compare the 1998 GMC Suburban
Other model years
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Questions about the 1998 GMC Suburban
Is the 1998 GMC Suburban reliable?
Owners have filed 100 complaints about the 1998 GMC Suburban, 20.0 times a typical Suburban model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 GMC Suburban?
Brakes, with 29 complaints, typically around 88,393 miles. Next is visibility (17).
How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Suburban have?
2 recalls, covering visibility and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 1998 GMC Suburban brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 98V033000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the GMC Suburban have bad brakes?
The GMC Suburban model years with the most brakes complaints are 1994 (276 complaints), 1993 (162 complaints) and 1999 (123 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 GMC Suburban get?
Official estimates for the 1998 GMC Suburban range from 14 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.7L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 12 city and 17 highway.
VIN decoder
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