1998 Chevrolet Silverado
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Silverado › 1998
These records cover every 1998 Chevrolet Silverado. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
279 complaints16 involved a crash5 involved a fire12 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags
Vehicle left roadway and went into a drainage ditch. The airbags failed to deploy resulting in the drivers death. *js
- Vehicle speed control
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet silverado. One year ago while driving approximately 45 mph the vehicle lunged forward, began to accelerate and respond as if it were a standard vehicle. The failure occurred intermittently; however, more recently it began to occur every time he drove the…
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet silverado. One year ago while driving approximately 45 mph the vehicle lunged forward, began to accelerate and respond as if it were a standard vehicle. The failure occurred intermittently; however, more recently it began to occur every time he drove the vehicle. When the failure occurred the vehicle lunged forward and was within one inch of a crash forcing the contact to apply the brake pedal with excessive force. The contact stated that the transmission/ccc solenoid does not disengage while releasing the accelerator pedal. All of the warning lights on the instrument panel were illuminated. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer; however, they did not offer or provide any assistance. The contact replaced every component in the transmission in order to correct the failure; however, the failure continued to occur. He was unable to drive the vehicle for two days due to the safety risk. The contact added an on/off switch that controlled the tcc solenoid. The failure was not diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 140,000. The approximate failure mileage 130,000.
- Service brakes
I almost hit a person crossing the street, I was coming to a slow stop, the brakes started making a boing boing noise, everytime it made the noise the brakes stopping power went away the person crossing the street realised the truck was having problems... I"ve had 3 of this model truck my first…
I almost hit a person crossing the street, I was coming to a slow stop, the brakes started making a boing boing noise, everytime it made the noise the brakes stopping power went away the person crossing the street realised the truck was having problems... I"ve had 3 of this model truck my first was a 97 tahoe bad breaks I actually got into an accident with that truck rear ended honda civic, my other one was a 94 silverado I had to brake hard once the breaks gave way n the pedal was soft after that. My new one, the one I'm actually complaning about IS a 98 silverado 3500 with defective brakes this IS a poor design by gm motors this has to be recalled and repaired. I do know someone who crashed his 2 door blazer into a water tanker he brake hard n the brakes gave out 88-98 gm trucks and suv's have deeeeeeefective brakes 3/3 I've had problems with this IS not right. *tr
- Seats
Got in leaned back and ended up laying into the back seat area. Now seat-back won't latch in any position. *tr
- Structure › Body
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that while at an independent mechanic for the replacement of the tires the mechanic noticed corrosion and cracks on the front drivers side frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.
- Tires
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet silverado 1500. The vehicle was equipped with cooper discoverer h/t tires, tire size 235/75/15. The dot number was 3dhlc5u0607. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, there was an excessive vibration and the vehicle began to sway across the…
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet silverado 1500. The vehicle was equipped with cooper discoverer h/t tires, tire size 235/75/15. The dot number was 3dhlc5u0607. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, there was an excessive vibration and the vehicle began to sway across the road. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road. The contact noticed that the rear driver's side tire tread was completely separated and the steel was visible. The tire was replaced with a spare tire. The vehicle was then taken to four different independent mechanics. The defective tire had not been replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and there were no resolutions. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.
- Steering
Returning from deliveries, backing into drive to reload, steering completely failed. No steering at all. You can spin the steering wheel in either direction with no response. *Tr
- Electrical system
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated the failure found was related to the security system. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the ignition. The failure recurred approximately six…
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated the failure found was related to the security system. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the ignition. The failure recurred approximately six times. The dealer was unable to determine the exact failure. The manufacturer was not made aware. The vin was unavailable. The current mileage was 135,000. The failure mileage was 127,000.
- Exterior lighting
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that the running lights were constantly illuminated and there was no way to deactivate the lights. The contact expressed displeasure with the feature and felt that it affected his driving. The vehicle was not taken to have the…
TL* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that the running lights were constantly illuminated and there was no way to deactivate the lights. The contact expressed displeasure with the feature and felt that it affected his driving. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the situation and informed the contact that the vehicle was operating as designed. The failure mileage was 150,000.
- Service brakes, hydraulic
The brakes on this truck are spongy and do not stop the vehicle well at all. No repairs done seem to help improve the stopping distance. Worst brake I have ever seen on a vehicle. Definitely not normal. *tr
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet silverado, while using the windshield wipers they had suddenly stopped and a buzzing sound was coming from the windshield wipers. after the buzzing sound had stopped the windshield wipers had began to work properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealership…
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet silverado, while using the windshield wipers they had suddenly stopped and a buzzing sound was coming from the windshield wipers. after the buzzing sound had stopped the windshield wipers had began to work properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the probe central module needed to be replaced. The current mileage IS 225,000 failure mileage was 89000. Bl updated 10/20/09 *cn updated 10/22/09.*jb
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
The wipers stopped working. it needs a new motor.*cn
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
The windshield wipers on my 1998 chevrolet silverado pickup don't work all the time. the wiper motor appears to be the same as the 1997 chevrolet pickup for which a recall has been issued. *nm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Have 1998 chevy silverado 1500 short-bed V-6 pickup with ABS brake problems. have researched and found there IS a history of this problem. the maker IS fully aware of the problem but only recalled 1999 and later models. I don't know how they decided that one, but I do know it has to do with…
Have 1998 chevy silverado 1500 short-bed V-6 pickup with ABS brake problems. have researched and found there IS a history of this problem. the maker IS fully aware of the problem but only recalled 1999 and later models. I don't know how they decided that one, but I do know it has to do with money! in december of 2005, I was in an accident due to the truck brakes failing with the anti-lock pulsing on and I had no braking time and hit another vehicle. it IS a well known problem with many GMC truck owners. it's the reason I will never own another GMC product! if a manufacturer has knowledge of a defect and does nothing, it IS wrong! at slow speeds when coming to a stop, the ABS system kicks on and makes it nearly impossible to stop on time. took it to a dealer who ran the vin and said my truck was not covered. it IS not right! A maker who knows of a defect should have to make good on its repair to correct the issue. *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Re: recall # 05v379000 for 1999 through 2002 chevrolet silverado pick up trucks. please be advised that I have a 1998 silverado chevy truck and I experienced this exact same problem "(unwanted anti-lock brake system (ABS) activation)" in jan. 2005 five (5) months prior to the recall. I was…
Re: recall # 05v379000 for 1999 through 2002 chevrolet silverado pick up trucks. please be advised that I have a 1998 silverado chevy truck and I experienced this exact same problem "(unwanted anti-lock brake system (ABS) activation)" in jan. 2005 five (5) months prior to the recall. I was charged $653.94 to repair my vehicle . I have tried to receive some satisfaction from gm with no results. the vehicle only had 20340 miles on it at that time. I believe the 1998 silverado trucks should have been included in this recall. *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
1998 silverado had anti lock brake sensor replaced. *ts the front wheel brake sensor was replaced on 10/4/2005. on 12/25/2005 the consumer read an article which stated that general motors had expanded it's recall on the antilock brakes to include wisconsin and that consumer's would receive…
1998 silverado had anti lock brake sensor replaced. *ts the front wheel brake sensor was replaced on 10/4/2005. on 12/25/2005 the consumer read an article which stated that general motors had expanded it's recall on the antilock brakes to include wisconsin and that consumer's would receive notice by 2/1/2006. the consumer contacted the dealer who indicated that gm had not issued a recall. the consumer then called gm who also stated that there wasn't a recall. *nm
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Dt*: the contact stated the windshield wiper motor intermittently does not work. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repair.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring
1998 chevy. Silverado p/u truck. wipers began stopping in july 2005. have to stop in driving rain to move wires at control/motor outside. extremely dangerous in heavy traffic, no place to stop. safety of self and family in extreme danger. web IS full of complaints yet no recall, or IS there?…
1998 chevy. Silverado p/u truck. wipers began stopping in july 2005. have to stop in driving rain to move wires at control/motor outside. extremely dangerous in heavy traffic, no place to stop. safety of self and family in extreme danger. web IS full of complaints yet no recall, or IS there? please advise asap. I am tired of jeopardizing my life and that of my family due to gm failure to notify me and thousands of others of this problem and proper way to repair. does not occur just once, but almost every time wipers are required. next question about incident date IS misleading-does not occur just once, but many times. *jb
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments
Dt*: the contact stated while lowering the tailgate, it was noticed the driver side tailgate cable was broken. there IS a nhtsa recall, #06v066000, regarding the tailgate cables. the vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it IS not included in the recall due to the vin.
- Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
My daughter used my vehicle last year. She opened the tailgate to put a bag of clothes in the bed of my 1998 chevrolet silverado and when she tried to close the tailgate the latches would not engage to keep the tailgate closed. After several attempts at closing the tailgate it finally engaged and…
My daughter used my vehicle last year. She opened the tailgate to put a bag of clothes in the bed of my 1998 chevrolet silverado and when she tried to close the tailgate the latches would not engage to keep the tailgate closed. After several attempts at closing the tailgate it finally engaged and stayed closed. As she began driving the latches again released and the tailgate fell open. Both support cables broke as described in the nhtsa campaign ID number : 06v066000 for 1999 and 2000 chevrolet silverados and the tailgate fell off of the vehicle. I had to replace the support cables but the latches still do not hold and the tailgate continues to fall open on a regular basis. Just today 3/11/05 the tailgate fell open 5 times while I was driving. *Jb
- Steering
Dt*: the contact stated while making a slight turn in a curve, the steering wheel jerked making a sharper turn. this began in september 2005 and the dealership was unable to determine a problem. this progressively worsened. while driving 55 mph, down a mountain, the steering wheel jerked…
Dt*: the contact stated while making a slight turn in a curve, the steering wheel jerked making a sharper turn. this began in september 2005 and the dealership was unable to determine a problem. this progressively worsened. while driving 55 mph, down a mountain, the steering wheel jerked causing the vehicle to hit a rock wall and the vehicle spun out of control. there was a police report taken at the scene. the vehicle was towed to a salvage yard, where the insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. although, the seat belt was worn, the contact sustained minor injuries. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to apply brake pressure at 20 mph the antilock brakes engaged causing an increase in stopping distance. this occurred on normal roads during normal braking without warning. the vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. upon inspection, they replaced the hub and sensor which did not correct the problem. the manufacturer was alerted.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Dt*: the contact stated the ABS engaged while stopping at speeds of 10mph or less under normal driving conditions. there IS a nhtsa recall, # 05v379000, regarding the antilock brakes. the vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it IS not included in the recall due to the vin. although the problem persisted, the vehicle was not seen by a dealer.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The ABS brake system activates at low speed when it shouldn't. similar to recall 05v379. a front hub must be replaced to fix the problem.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Dt*: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at low speeds the anti-lock brakes activate, which made the vehicle difficult to stop. this occurred intermittently on dry roads during normal braking without warning. the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop. the mechanic…
Dt*: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at low speeds the anti-lock brakes activate, which made the vehicle difficult to stop. this occurred intermittently on dry roads during normal braking without warning. the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop. the mechanic replaced the front brake pads, which did not remedy the problem. the dealership and manufacturer were not alerted. The mechanic installed a serpentine belt. Updated 03/09/06. *Jb
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Tailgate support cables
General motors IS conducting a safety recall to remove and replace the tailgate support cables installed in 805,368 model year 1999 and 2000 gmt 800 model vehicles.the model year 1999 and 2000 gmt-800 series vehicles that will be campaigned had contributed a significant majority of the total complaints (87%) and…
General motors IS conducting a safety recall to remove and replace the tailgate support cables installed in 805,368 model year 1999 and 2000 gmt 800 model vehicles.the model year 1999 and 2000 gmt-800 series vehicles that will be campaigned had contributed a significant majority of the total complaints (87%) and injuries (79%) associated with the tailgate support cable breakage in the model year 1998 - 2000 c/k series vehicles addressed by this investigation.
- Tailgate support cable breakage
Odi IS upgrading rq04-010 and opening an engineering analysis to further investigate the tailgate support cables installed in 1998, 1999, and partial year 2000 silverados and sierras (c/k models).general motors IS conducting recall campaign 04v-129 to replace the tailgate support cables originally installed in certain…
Odi IS upgrading rq04-010 and opening an engineering analysis to further investigate the tailgate support cables installed in 1998, 1999, and partial year 2000 silverados and sierras (c/k models).general motors IS conducting recall campaign 04v-129 to replace the tailgate support cables originally installed in certain model year 2000 - 2004 sierras and silverados.general motors has advised odi that the materials used for the tailgate cable sheathing installed in c/k models had inadvertently changed in october 1999, increasing the propensity for voids in and around the galvanized steel cable strands which can allow moisture to wick among the strands, leading to oxidation and weakening of the strands.since odi initiated rq04-010 in september 2004, odi has received 10 additonal non-injury complaints on my 1998-99 c/k vehicles, but no additional injury complaints.during this same period, gm has received 564 non-injury and 35 injury complaints. Odi has received 6 injury complaints and 38 non-injury complaints from owners of model year 2000 c/k vehicles and requires further investigation to determine whether these incidents occurred in vehicles within the scope of campaign 04v-129 or should be added to the injury summary for rq04-010.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10021450Reduced steering effort (diagnose/replace steering wheel position sensor).
- 10017191Supplement to bulletin 99-06-04-047a for fuel system cleaning.
- 10014959Replacement of connector when replacing fuel tank module/fuel pump module.
- 10007838Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan.
- 10007717Engine coolant leak at intake gasket. * mj
- 100072374L60e, 4l65e forward and low reverse waved steel clutch plate appearance change.
- 10005439Malfunction indicator lamp on with a p0300 set and a misfire. Various models including 1996 - 1999 P32 models. Sit bulletin 1416475.
- 10005412Spring slap noise from the rear of the gmt 400 series truck.
- 10004371Rattle noise in engine.
- 10004301Rattle noise in engine.
- 10004223Malfunction indicator lamp on with a p0300 set and a misfire. Various models including the 1996-1999 P32 and the 1996-2002 GMC c/k truck.
- 10004214Poor performance from a stop in 2WD, auto or 4WD hi. 2003, 2003 cadillac ext also included.
- 10001110Slips in 4-wheel drive, noise, vibration, leaks, hot odor.
- 10000749Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds on various models including the 1995 and 1996 envoy.
- 10000062Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds.
- 634999Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks.
- 634905Some vehicles will not move when 4-wheel drive IS requested, noise, shudder, poor performance, transmission / transfer case slips, transmission will not upshift, slips in 4-wheel drive.
Every Chevrolet Silverado model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.