CarModelProblems.com

1998 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 2.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
263Complaints
4Recalls
18Crashes
7Fires
12Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (16.3% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 2.8× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip43 · 16.3%RecalledRecall 98V033000
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer26 · 9.9%not available
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor18 · 6.8%not available
Steering14 · 5.3%RecalledRecall 97V142000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor12 · 4.6%RecalledRecall 98V033000
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System9 · 3.4%RecalledRecall 97V142000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR18 · 6.8%
STEERING14 · 5.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR12 · 4.6%
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM9 · 3.4%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9 · 3.4%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP8 · 3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8 · 3%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT7 · 2.7%

Percentages are the share of the 263 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E043000 · 2006 · reported 05/19/2006

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 07E088000 · 2007 · reported 10/24/2007

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

NHTSA campaign 97V142000 · 1997 · reported 08/29/1997

RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND CAB CAN CAUSE THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

NHTSA campaign 98V033000 · 1998 · reported 02/17/1998

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“CONSUMER STATED THE ABS ENGAGE ON DRY PAVEMENT AT A SLOW GRADUAL STOP.*SCC”NHTSA complaint 786442 — filed 08/22/2002 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES ON DRY PAVEMENT AT A SLOW GRADUAL SPEED STOP 75 PERCENT OF THE TIME. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT CAUSED BY…”NHTSA complaint 765171 — filed 08/04/2002 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PRESS HARDER TO…”NHTSA complaint 8015396 — filed 08/02/2002 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

2320024528200421142006342008512010232012162015212025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 43 of 263 NHTSA complaints (16.3%), followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer (26), visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (18), steering (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe have?

263 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E043000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.