Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driver side window switch caught fire shortly after use (several hours). A light rain storm came while the windows were down. Some rain entered the inside of the vehicle, some water likely got into the switch assembly. This all happened while vehicle was parked on the curb and ignition was off. I toweled off the interior and switch assembly off, it didn't appear much water entered the switch. The vehicle was parked and "off" this whole time. I turned ignition on to roll windows back up, and promptly turned the ignition back off. Some hours later, the switch assembly caught fire and the vehicle was a total loss. This fire wasn't discovered until the next day as it self-extinguished. The battery was not discharged after the fire, so it was not a dead short in the wiring. I believe the auto-down circuit board or the electric mirror switch was the cause. …
For the past couple of weeks my Tahoe will crank start but only run for about 1 second then shuts off. After doing some internet research I have found that thousands other GM owners are having the same issue. This problem is very annoying and inconveniencing. Im sure its cost many people there jobs or at minimum gotten them in trouble for being either late or unable to come in to work. I am in the military and the my car wont start doesn't come off very well with my superiors. Something needs to be done about this.
The original factory battery leaked acid. The dealer cleaned off frame and the "steel" brake line to the right front wheel and then painted it. The replacement factory battery then leaked acid again in 09/00. This time acid leaked into battery cable "wrapping" causing corrosion of the entire cable. It also leaked onto the coupling on the "steel" brake line that goes to the right front tire. Now dealer has to replace the battery box and cable, fender well and the coupler on the steel brake line. Ts
Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inproperly working back windows, they would not always go up and down, dealer stated the problem was an electrical problem and when consumer picked up vehicle, he said it was fixed, days later the consumer hit the button to put up a back window and smoke started coming from the dashboard, all consumer's exited vehicle and the fire started, vehicle was a total loss.
While traveling consumer smelled a burnt odor coming from inside of the vehicle. Consumer pulled over, and driver's side door caught on fire. Consumer called the fire department to extinguish the fire. No injuries reported. Vehicle was towed, and totaled by the insurance company.
The battery has a side terminal post. The positive cable keeps detaching from the terminal, allowing acid to be exposed, as a result, the vehicle has to be towed . Driver believed when driving on the highway vehicle poses a safety hazard.
Consumer had stopped for gas and was starting to get out of vehicle when he noticed smoke coming out of the drivers side door, flames were coming out of the button around the side view mirror, claim 14-1248-364.
1998 Chevy Tahoe wiring harness from brake pedal. Brake wiring harness moves with brake pedal motion (I.e. When brakes are activated). Over time, this motion causes wires to break resulting in brake light failure.
Consumer had stopped for gas and was starting to get out of vehicle when he noticed smoke coming out of the drivers side door, flames were coming out of the button around the side view mirror, claim 14-1248-364.
When the driver side door was open and the keys were left in the ignition, the audible warning will work intermittently, or not at all, possibly resulting in someone locking or leaving their keys inside the car.
Electrical complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe, 8% of the model year's 263 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.