1998 Chevrolet Tahoe: common problems and reliability

275 owner complaints on record.

Most complaints are about service brakes. 4 recalls.

Should I buy a 1998 Tahoe?

The 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe has 275 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and hydraulic.

Safety record for the 1998 model year

275
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
18
Crash reports
7
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles (US, public record).

How we score it

Is 1998 a good year for the Tahoe?

Across the 31 Tahoe model years we track, complaint volume runs from 55 (2020) to 1,177 (2007). With 275 complaints, the 1998 Tahoe sits about the same as the model's median of 302.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

service brakes
76
hydraulic
71
visibility
51
steering
31
power train
22

Recalls affecting the 1998 Tahoe

fuel system, gasoline

Campaign 06E043000

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

equipment

Campaign 07E088000

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Campaign 97V142000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY EXTENDED-CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 4-DOOR UTILITY TRUCKS. THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING GEAR PINCH BOLT IS "FINGER LOOSE" OR MISSING ALLOWING THE BOLT TO LOOSEN AND FALL OUT. THE STEERING SHAFT YOKE CAN WEAR CAUSING AN OFF CENTER STEERING WHEEL.

service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor

Campaign 98V033000

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.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is highly polarized and varies significantly by generation.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Tahoe. See the full Tahoe owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Tahoe listings typically run $17,995–$37,289.

Other Tahoe model years

Compare every Tahoe year side by side to see how 1998 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Tahoe against its rivals

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