Comments: 1-15, 16-19
More recently the intake manifold gasket has started to leak. This vintage is notorious for it from the research I have done... especially between 60 and 80 thousand.
Factory oil cooler lines leak considerably. Always have, but have gotten worse recently.
Front differential passenger side output seal is leaking - always has. $5 seal and a $200 axle, not to mention the time to replace... gear lube is pretty cheap in comparison.
Two exhaust manifold "donuts"...Cheap parts, but annoying recurring problem.
Belt tensioner is going as are bearings in the idler pulley and alternator.
Idle has gotten rough, even after full tune up.
Transmission is acting up, even having done recommended fluid changes. A rebuild may be in its future.
Quick connect heater fitting on manifold leaks, very common.
Shocks needed replacement around 70K.
Leather setas are pretty cheap... seams are pulling, and are not that comfortable in the long haul.
Assorted creeks and rattles, but only noticeable in the colder months.
The interior and exterior have been holding up fairly well, but I've had better. Overall I can't complain because it hasn't stranded me...yet.
The once impressive drive line is now a thorn in my side, and I fear my check book soon. I am afraid it will only get worse.
The engine still runs strong and gets acceptable fuel economy, even if it leaks oil and coolant on my garage floor.
Parts for tune up were expensive, thank goodness they are not required often.
It just seems that from vehicle to vehicle the quality and reliability are so random.
Overall I don't think the money for these things is justified.
Yep, I blew a manifold gasket on the passenger side.. at about 68,500 and as I sit here right now, with 73,600, my truck is in the shop with a blown third member. Sounded like "Black Cat" fireworks went off under the back seat. I was pretty sure it wasn't my truck.. maybe something in the road I didn't see... then boom...the ass end blew up... not to fun.
I currently have 128,000 miles on my 98' 2 door Tahoe LS.
The fuel pump has been making a whining noise since 78k miles, but I have not replaced it even though I was told by a Chevy tech that it was bad. That was 50k miles ago.
Three months ago I was told by a Chevy tech that the intake manifold was leaking. On further inspection, myself, I found that the leak was from a coolant hose.
The tech also advised me that my belt tensioner was gone. Again, I made an adjustment on it and it works just fine.
Are we beginning to see at trend here?
The hinges for the mirror covers on the sun-visors have broken.
Neither of the front doors opens easily with the key.
Both of the leather front seats have cracked and deteriorated.
I have had problems with the transfer case, but found that the culprit was a blown fuse. The last time was going over Mt. Shasta in a whiteout; not fun.
I have never gotten more than 30k out of a set of tires. (Good Year, Big O or Firestone) however, I have done some extreme 4 wheeling so that can be explained to some extent.
I will replace the rear brakes this week and have replaced the front brake pads twice and gone through 4 batteries.
This may sound like a long list, but bear in mind that after 128,000 miles I have never been stranded.
...and I still get 19 mpg on the highway.
Bob.
I just recently bought a 1998 chevy tahoe. It was a one owner truck. It has over 200,000 miles on it. It has been all over the united states. the previouse owner traveled for work with it. Then he sold it to his son whom is a good freind of mine. I beleive I got a good one. The power is remarkable for as many miles as it has. I love the interior I just wish it had leather seats. the only thing that gives me trouble is the power mirrors. But then again my 1995 silverado truck does too. I cannot beat the ride. It rides like a cadillac. I do wish that it did sit up higher. I feel general motors makes the best vehicles for I have owned several of them and not a one has left me stranded. All of them have had high miles at the time I purchased them. My favorite so far is my Tahoe. Built like a rock. grp.
I have a 1998 Chevy Tahoe that I bought used with 78,000 miles on it. I have put 50,000 miles on it in the 4 years that I have owned it and it has brought me nothing, but misery! I call it the Thousand Dollar Baby because just about every time I have had it in the shop it has cost me $1000.
Many of the problems are the same problems that others who own or who have owned this SUV or its sister, the GMC Yukon, have experienced. After I bought it, the transfer case began leaking oil and I had that repaired. A year later, the intake manifold began leaking - a very expensive repair - but not the most expensive I was to learn. A year after that, the fuel pump went and left me stranded (consider yourself lucky, Bob). $600 bucks there. I've replaced both the front and rear brakes, the alternator,... it's just too painful to recount all of the little things! But the crown jewel is the overhaul of the transfer case that I just had done. That cost me $1100.
Despite my brand loyalty to GM products, this experience has "driven" me away. So, if anyone is interested I have a 1998 Chevy Tahoe for sale that has a lot of new parts in it!!
Well, I would like to say that I bought a 1998 Chevy Tahoe to. I love it! It has problems, but nothing I can't expect! I have the LT package. I bought the truck with 50,000 miles on it and have done nothing, but normal preventive maintenance. I believe it is how you take care of them. I have 128,000 miles now and 12 payments left! I change the oil every 3000 miles and brakes every 30,000 miles, filters and so on. You know the dance. It does have problems that cost money to fix, like the intake gasket, I need it done, I just keep putting antifreeze in it. It uses a gallon every three months, I have to replace the rear u-joint on it 2 times, I've noticed it is idling rough, I have a small hole in the leather seat, my fuel pump whines, I've replaced the idler pulley. all things that I expect on a truck that is 7 years old. thanks for the ear!
I have a 1998 Tahoe LT, 4 door. I bought it with 98,000 miles on it and now has 108,000. I really enjoy the comfort that it provides and also enjoy the smooth ride. Besides the normal oil changes and such, I have had to put in one rear u-joint. My fuel mileage is decent, still getting 19mpg. I really enjoy my truck.
I have a 1996 Chevy Tahoe LT 4 door. I got it in January of 2006. It had 94,000 miles on it and it has been a good truck I had to replace the idler arm and pitman arm when I first got it then the front and rear you joints and put a new fuel filter on it. Nothin bad has happened yet just yesterday it it started leaking antifreeze its leaking around the heater hose connector getting it fixed today, but nothing else has gone wrong with it rides nice idles great and has plenty of power.
I own a 99 Chevy Tahoe. The truck currently has 137,000 miles on the odometer. Replaced the fuel pump at 121,000 miles. Performed the service myself - pump cost $120. No other complaints. Truck has performed great. Have driven it all over the US and Canada. Gas mileage is good, 17 city and 21 highway. My family has owned other makes (Ford, Dodge, Toyota) and we believe GM builds the best. Perform almost all maintenance myself to save money. Stick to the recommended schedules. I expect to drive this truck until it has 300,000 miles on it.
I own a 1999 yukon suv 4x4 bought it with 35,000 miles, I have driven all over the S. E US and it now has 225,00 plus miles on the (BODY).At 195,00 miles I had to replace a motor that the dealer said it had sticky valves because they could never find the problem; all plugs on the right side would continually get black oil on them and it would barely go. I installed a new motor and have 34,000 on it. but I also put a new transmission in it because the dealer could not find out why it was skippy in passing gear. It was not the transmission causing the skippy, it was moisture in the electrical system. After removing the moisture it ran OK. The sensor system had to be replaced, the air conditioner would not blow, and the windshield wiper motor stopped working (new motor),fuel pump went out (new one),I put new idle arms, new brakes, new shocks.
I have now put to much money into my yukon to get rid of it since about everything is new. It recently has started idling a little rough had fuel injectors cleaned and fuel filter changed, but still ocassionally will idle rough. Yes! I though I wanted a Yukon 4x4 but this one has really taught me a lesson. Would I buy another Yukon SUV!!!
I own a 1999 Yukon SUV 4x4 bought it with 35,000 miles, I have driven all over the S. E US and it now has 225,00 plus miles on the (BODY).At 195,00 miles I had to replace a motor that the dealer said it had sticky values because they could never find the problem; all plugs on the right side would continually get black oil on them and it would barely go. I installed a new motor and have 34,000 on it. but I also put a new transmission in it because the dealer could not find out why it was skipping in passing gear. It was not the transmission causing the skipping, it was moisture in the electrical system. After removing the moisture it ran OK. The sensor system had to be replaced, the air conditioner would not blow, and the windshield wiper motor stopped working (new motor),fuel pump went out (new one),I put new idle arms, new brakes, new shocks.
I have now put to much money into my Yukon to get rid of it since about everything is new. It recently has started idling a little rough had fuel injectors cleaned and fuel filter changed, but still occasionally will idle rough. Yes! I though I wanted a Yukon 4x4 but this one has really taught me a lesson. Would I buy another Yukon SUV!!!
I have a 1998 Tahoe and it has been nothing but a problem, especially the brakes.
I love the ride, it is nice and smooth, but it has left me stranded more than any other vehicle I have owned.
My son totaled my 1992 Sierra pick up, which was without question the best vehicle I have ever owned, Wish I had it back.
After 5 years with the Tahoe, I won't have it much longer. Just had to replace the water pump tonight, it won't be in my driveway much longer, I'm going to cut my losses.
I am the original owner of a 1998 2 door Tahoe 4x4 that currently has 195,000 miles. I have had to replace the water pump, alternator, U joints, oil lines to cooler, and master cylinder.
The first set of tires lasted 35K, but got 98K out of a new set of Michelins along with an alignment at a shop that specializes in alignments. I repeated the exercise when I got new tires again.
Brakes have always been an issue. Some pads go really quick others last longer. I think the rear adjustment doesn't automatically adjust as well as it should. I now adjust them by hand when I rotate tires. Ever notice how the adjustment holes don't line up with the adjustment wheel on this vehicle?
Had to replace the transmission at 120K, I wouldn't go through that exercise at the dealer again.
Current issues are disappearing coolant, (probably notorious intake manifold leak), recurring SES light due to EGR not closing completely, and some play in the steering that is disturbing. Most likely a pitman/idler or steering sensor issue. Just need to get a round to it.
This is my favorite ride of all time and I can't find anything to replace it that won't deplete my savings. I need to keep it running and with the exception of the transmission I have found all of the problems to fall in the category of reasonable and expected.
I own a 1997 Tahoe LS, 2WD. It has not been trouble free, but it is my all-time favorite vehicle. Currently has 351,000 miles on it.
Some of the problems I've had: 3 fuel pumps. Transmission failed at 224,000. Various electrical problems including window switches, turn signal switch, fan switch, radio speakers. The AC evaporator had a hole rubbed through the inlet line where it went through the firewall--common problem. Intake manifold leaked at 342,000. A couple of brake jobs, but most of my driving is on the highway. Power brake booster failed at about 200,000.
I average 18.5 MPG on the highway. I found a K&N air filter yielded an extra 1.5 MPG over stock filter (I used to fill it up and calculate mileage on a daily basis).
It is comfortable to drive, quiet, & peppy. I'm currently doing a little cosmetic work, i.e. new headlights, etc. from Ebay.
I purchase (New) a 1996 Chev. Tahoe LS 2WD in Sept. 1995. It now has 123,000 miles. I had my Chev. dealer install a new Transmission at 115,000. It works much better than the factory original trans. I installed front disc brakes at 95,000 miles, and the rear bands are still good. I also installed a new alternator at 105,000 miles. I do my own oil and filter changes, the radiator fluids, and the engine tune-ups. I'm getting ready to replace all the heater hoses, and radiator hoses. The Tahoe has performed very well for me. And for me, it's been trouble free. I'm sorta worried, as I haven't had the fuel pump in tank replaced. I know it's due.
Now that I'm retired, I drive it only 5 to 10 miles a week.
I bought my 98 Tahoe LT 4x4 3 years ago with 141,000 miles. It now has 180,000 miles.
To date I have replaced the radiator, clutch fan, upper and lower hoses, thermostat, water pump, heater valve, front brake pads and rotors (twice, found out the rear brakes weren't engaging), rear brake hardware and wheel cylinders, oxygen sensors, intake gasket, tires, chrome grille (it started flaking and stress cracked), headlights/taillights due to oxidation, drivers door handles - inside and out, fuel pump, barn door latch release rod clip, barn door strap, speakers, front seat leather for both seats - factory leather sucks, thermal switch for transfer case, oil pan plug - it was stripped, power steering pump, taillight wiring harness - it melted, ac compressor and evaporator, ac control switch, battery, alternator, idler pulley, starter, serpentine belt, plugs and plug wires, cap and rotor.
Some of those things I replaced for preventative reasons, but some - like the door handle and taillight wiring, I would have expected to last for quite a while longer. The motor still runs fine and has plenty of power, even with 180k miles and regular trips to the mountains. I expect to get another 100k out of it before I tear it down for a rebuild. Overall, the body is extremely solid and suspension has held up very well.
Would I buy another one? Already looking for one and do I plan to get rid of this one... not a chance. Every thing's fixable and for the money, you can't find a better real suv.