Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt: the consumer complained about ABS brakes kicking in at low speeds. The service brakes and ABS will not hold when the ABS kicks in. The problem has been on going since November of 2004. The dealership cleaned and greased the brakes. They machined the rotors and replaced the left upper arm bushing. And they checked the ABS sensors. The problem recurred. When she contacted them they said they could not find the cause of the problem. It started getting worse in July of 2005. She took vehicle to the dealership again. They replaced the sensor bushings and an idle arm. The problem is still occurring. She took it back to them. They replaced two rear drums, the sway bar bushings, the u joints, and t tightened the transfer case. However, the problem recurred. A recall for the 2000 models was issued. …
My truck since new once every one or two weeks the brakes don't work, when you more need them, suddent stop not panic stop. Was reported in several occasion to the deler,they inspected repace pads ... No problem with brakes. The truck continue with the same problem. The last 9/25/00 the car started running like when the brakes is on and lock it.one more time pads every think is replaced, but this time continue lock,know contamination is susp. ??? More parts to be change. I am requesting help this is normal, I am very concern about my family safety. We need to wait until a fatality occur to then someone concern about this matter. I have a naibor have the same problem, and he was involved in an accident. I will like to know if is more data about this matter and what I can do to prevent a fatal accident. Thanks.
The antilock brakes on my 1998 Chevrolet Suburban activate at low speeds .if this condition occurs where stopping distance is limited a crash could occur..this is a for real safety issue and is documented in nhts item number 10000062. Noticed on the internet someone posted in ontario Canada there is a GM recall for the speed sensors and corrosion.. I can not believe a issue involving brakes is not on a recall..... I asked a service manager about the problem I'm having and he quoted the speed sensor right away...come on GM knows they have a problem....going to take the vehicle to GM next week and ask to talk to the zone manager .
I purchased on 11/1997 a new 1998 Chevrolet Suburban 3/4 ton 2500 series. The Suburban has 38,528 original miles and has been garage kept since new. The vehicle has been used primarily as a secondary vehicle for recreational purposes. The Suburban has been driven in snow conditions only 12-14 times. I am experiencing excessive brake and fuel line corrosion on the steel brake/fuel lines, flexible brake hoses and connections. I am very concerned over the brake/fuel line corrosion issuea and have since learned that an investigation has been initiated by the NHTSA on 1/5/11, NHTSA investigation file no. Ea11001.
My vehicle ran head-on into the side of a car that ran a stop sign. My car was so damaged that the insurance adjustor "totaled" it. The impact was so severe that I, the driver, sustained a fracture of the sternum (I was wearing a seat belt with shoulder harness). The air bags of my car did not go off, but the air bags of the car I hit did go off. On impact the brake mastercylinder with the power assist unit was broken off the fire wall by the ABS module. Therefore I did not have any brakes and rolled for another 300 feet before coming to rest against a tree in the lower shoulder of the road.
I own a 1998 Chevy Suburban 2200 4wd. On 7/10/00, at 13.000 mi the front rotors and pads and rear shoes were replaced by the dealer. On 9/13/00 at 15,000 mi the front disc pads, master cylinder proportion valve and caliper brake hoses were replaced per service bulletin. On 8/21/03 at 22,500 mi I had the front rotors and pads replaced with factory OEM parts. On 10/11/04 at 27,00 mi I had to have the front rotors cut because of overheating of the rotors. Rotors displayed hot spots. There seems to be a significant recurring problem/defect with the front brakes.
Catastrohic loss of entire breaking system due to bursting of brake lines without prior notice; dealer required complete replacement of entire brake system owing to servely rusted parts throughout; mechanical emergency brake system required several hundred yards to stop vehicle; vehicle had been regularly serviced since new with most recent service just 2 months before brake system failure; had vehicle been traveling at highway speed possible fatal consequences; possible issue of design/component defect
Brake pedal goes down or gets spongey at slow stopping speeds under 5 MPH. It feels like an ABS event is occuring! No ABS light comes on. Incident occurs at nearly every stop. Stopping distance is longer. It feels like the vehicle is not going to stop. It is not a safe secure feeling when coming to a stop. I have hear (on the radio) that this is probabley the same kind of problem occuring as occuring on 1999 to 1005 vehicles. I believe my vehilce should be included in the repair.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal failed. The contact mentioned that the ABS and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated the ABS sensor, the inner and outer bearings and the caliber needed to be replaced. The vehicle has been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 182,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 MPH on normal road conditions and applying the brakes under normal braking conditions, the brakes increased in stopping distance. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who determined that the left front brake sensor needed to be replaced. After the vehicle was repaired, the contact noticed a NHTSA recall # 05V379000 regarding service brakes hydraulic:antilock. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
Brake complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 63 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban, 31% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Suburban brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-033 (rotor, Feb 17, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Suburban brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.