1998 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
242 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
73,576 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 132 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 49 of 242 complaints (20.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 85 | 35.1% |
| Steering behavior | 30 | 12.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 49 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 24 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 21 |
| Steering | 12 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 9 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 49; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 24; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 21; Steering: 12; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 10; Service Brakes: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 9; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 40 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 20 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 31 |
| 150,000 and above | 13 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 40; 75,000 to 99,999: 20; 100,000 to 149,999: 31; 150,000 and above: 13
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (40). 110 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 25 |
| 2001 | 30 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2004 | 34 |
| 2005 | 40 |
| 2006 | 20 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 25; 2001: 30; 2002: 22; 2003: 21; 2004: 34; 2005: 40; 2006: 20; 2007: 11; 2008: 6; 2010: 10; 2011: 3; 2012: 4; 2013: 3; 2014: 6; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 85 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006398 · 2001-03-16 (March 16, 2001)
SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL, DEALER INSTALLED MASTER CYLINDER POWER BOOSTER, NO CHANGE. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****742563
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045975 · 2003-11-11 (November 11, 2003)
I HAVE INTERMINTTENT WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO TRUCK. ALSO HAVE BACK/BRAKE/TURN SIGNAL LIGHT PROBLEMS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10045975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053016 · 2004-01-13 (January 13, 2004)
I OWN A 98 CHEVY PICK UP, AS WELL AS A 96 GMC SUBURBAN, AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING ON BOTH VEHICLES. THE PICK UP HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY BAD WITH THE "HARDER" LEFT TURNS, AND THE "OVERLY" EASY RIGHT TURNS, OR JERKS. TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH EITHER VEHICLE, IF YOU ADJUST THE STEERING FOR A CROSSWIND, THEY WILL FIGHT GOING LEFT (THIS IS NOT CONSTANT, WHICH MAKES IT WORSE AS IT IS UNEXPECTED) AND LAUNCH TO THE RIGHT WITH THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH (ALSO NOT CONSTANT). I BELIEVE THAT THESE VEHICLES COULD EASILY BE INCLU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10053016 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053916 · 2004-01-13 (January 13, 2004)
WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE TEMPORARILY LOST POWER STEERING. DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115592 · 2005-03-23 (March 23, 2005)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE DASHBOARD, WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10115592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128873 · 2005-07-15 (July 15, 2005)
DT: WHEN DRIVING IN A HURRICANE INDUCED RAINSTORM THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED. UNABLE TO SEE, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED. HAD TO PULL OFF ROAD BECAUSE WAS UNABLE TO SEE. THESE WIPERS WERE INACTIVE FOR 10-15 MINUTES. THEY STARTED BACK FUNCTIONING ON THEIR OWN. THEY WORKED FOR ABOUT 5-7 MINUTES BEFORE STOPPING AGAIN. CONSUMER OPENED HOOD AND SHOOK WIRING TO WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THEY BECAME ACTIVE AGAIN. HOWEVER THEY WERE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY AFTERWARDS. DID CONTACT MANUFACTURER, FILED COMPLAINT AND THEY NOTED BY THIS P…
Owner-reported narrative. 129,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10128873 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056999 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
I OWN A 1998 CEVROLET K-1500 4WD SILVERADO PICKUP TRUCK. I'VE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SLIP YOKE ON THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVESHAFT NOT PERFORMING PROPERLY FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. IT MAKES A "SQUAKING"SOUND AND FEELS LIKE IT IS TAKING OUT THE SLACK IN THE DRIVESHAFT WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT DOES THE SAME WHEN YOU ARE COMING TO A STOP. I WROTE TO CHEVROLET 2 YEARS AGO AND THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD GET A HOLD OF MY DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM INVESTIGATED. I DID THAT AT BERGEY'S CHEVROLET IN HATFIELD, PA 19440 ON 02/20/2002-02/21…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,312 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078531 · 2004-06-21 (June 21, 2004)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN A 1998 CHEVROLET C1500 PICKUP TRUCK .SES LIGHT COMES ON AND HARSH SHIFT 1TO 2 AND NO OVERDRIVE ALL THE SHOPS I TALKED TO SAY IT IS A ENGINEERING DESGN FLAW IN THE TRANSMISSION AND GM KNOWS ABOUT IT. BUT AFTER TALKING TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY HAVE NO IDEA OF THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAILING . COTTMAN TRANSMISSION HAS CONTACTED THEM ABOUT THE LARGE NUMBER OF FAILURES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063155 · 2004-03-15 (March 15, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH FUEL PUMP FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 25,654 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080127 · 2004-06-29 (June 29, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL ENGINE HESITATED. CONSUMER DEPRESSED GAS PEDAL TO GAIN SPEED AND ENGINE STALLED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10080127 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182100 · 2007-02-09 (February 9, 2007)
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET K1500 AND STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS GIVING FALSE READINGS OF HOW MUCH FUEL THERE WAS THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD AN ODOMETER READING OF 90,000 MILES. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY AS OF YET. THE CURRENT MIILEAGE WAS 125000.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182100 at NHTSA ↗