1998 Chevrolet SILVERADO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
238 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 87 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 54 of 238 complaints (22.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 82 | 34.5% |
| Steering behavior | 26 | 10.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 4.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 2.9% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 2.1% |
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 | 54 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 17 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 15 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Seats | 6 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 54; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 17; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 15; Steering: 7; Electrical System: 6; Seats: 6; Tires: 6; Tires:Tread/Belt: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 25 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 18 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 25; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 7
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 151 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 | 40 |
| 2001 | 30 |
| 2002 | 37 |
| 2003 | 37 |
| 2004 | 30 |
| 2005 | 37 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
2000: 40; 2001: 30; 2002: 37; 2003: 37; 2004: 30; 2005: 37; 2006: 15; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 5; 2013: 2; 2014: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 82 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 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 10014575 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
ON MANY OCCASION THE ABS FAILED SUDDENLY WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE ABS SENSOR WAS FAULTY. *JB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014575 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016107 · 2003-04-17 (April 17, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD NOISE DUE TO LEAKING AXLE SEALS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013544 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO (K1500) - THE TENSION REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL MOMENTARILY BECOMES VERY LOOSE WHILE MAKING RIGHT-HAND TURNS. DRIVER GETS THE SENSATION THERE IS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DURING THIS TIME. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL BUT THE MECHANIC AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT HE HAS REPLACED HUNDREDS OF "STEERING WHEEL SPEED SENSORS". I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO FORK OUT $200 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE OK NOW, BUT FOR HOW LONG? *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 26,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013544 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019981 · 2003-05-16 (May 16, 2003)
THERE WAS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING AREA AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS BLINKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ABS MODULE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019981 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024004 · 2003-06-13 (June 13, 2003)
WHEN GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE, THE OCCUPANTS RECEIVED AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029906 · 2003-10-21 (October 21, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSED A FIRE ON DRIVER'S DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. *AK *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019200 · 2003-05-23 (May 23, 2003)
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IT STARTED THAT WHEN YOU PUT IT REVERSE IT DIDN'T WANT TO GO THEN PUT INTO DRIVE THEN REVERSE IT WORKED. THEN WHILE DRIVING WE PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT AND TRIED TO REVERSE IT WAS TOTALLY GONE. WINDSHIED WIPERS STOP WORKING ON AND OFF. YOU CAN HEAR THE MOTOR THEY WON'T MOVE AND AT MOST TIMES IT EFFECTS THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID SO IT DOESN'T WORK.
Owner-reported narrative. 82,222 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061038 · 2004-03-01 (March 1, 2004)
WHILE DOWN SHIFTING THE U-JOINTS BROKE AND DRIVESHAFT SEPARATED AND FELL ONTO THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH U-JOINTS , ADDED OIL, AND REINSTALLED THE DRIVESHAFT. THE PROBLEM RECURRED WHILE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041375 · 2003-10-07 (October 7, 2003)
I KEEP HAVING A PROBLEMS WITH MY FUEL PUMP. I HAVE A 1998 Z-71 EXTENDED CAB TRUCK WITH 88,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR AND HALF. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041375 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065225 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)
DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. ONCE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED FUEL TANK COLLAPSED. *AK THE COLLAPSE OF THE FUEL TANK WAS DUE TO THE VACUUM THAT PUMP FUEL FAILED TO VENT. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092789 · 2004-09-20 (September 20, 2004)
WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. CVONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE INTO A CURB. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND PUMP WERE BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THESE PARTS WERE REPLACED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10092789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 742770 · 2001-03-20 (March 20, 2001)
MY TRUCK JUST STARTED STARTING BAD, IT USED TO TURN OVER EASY, NOW I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY WITH MORE PRESSURE THAN BEFORE. IT STARTS BUT, WITH THE A/C AND RADIO ON THE TRUCK WIL STALL WHILE DRIVING. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED LEADING UP TO THIS, JUST OUT OF THE BLUE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 742770 at NHTSA ↗