1998 Chevrolet C/K PICKUPS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
77 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
69,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 63 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 77 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 29.9% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 10.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 16 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 13 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 11 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 3 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 16; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 13; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 11; Steering: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 26 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 26; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 20 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2005 | 20 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2003: 20; 2004: 17; 2005: 20; 2006: 12; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000503 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE ON 5.7 LITER ENGINE. FROM WHAT THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP (W-K CHEVROLET) TOLD ME, THEY REPLACE 2 OR 3 A WEEK. SOMETHING TO EXPECT BETWEEN 75,000 TO 100,000 MILES. THIS SEEMS WAY OVER THE LINE WHEN SPARK PLUGS ARE EXPECTED TO LAST 100,000 MILES. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 81,434 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003152 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
WIPERS FAILED TO WORK ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.
Owner-reported narrative. 52,117 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003278 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
THE SLAVE CYLINDER IN MY TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT EVERY 1.5 YEARS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT WENT OUT AND MY CLUTCH GOT SATURATED AND THUS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TOO. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DEFECTIVE PART AND GM SHOULD ADMIT TO IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003278 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016407 · 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)
I EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING, THEN SURGES WHICH CAUSES ME TO OVER STEER. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND KNOW THAT GM HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON OTHER MODELS BUT NOT MINE. PLEASE SEE BELOW: GM, THE WORLD'S LARGEST AUTO MAKER, SAID IT HAD 15 REPORTS OF CRASHES AS A RESULT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING, INCLUDING THREE INJURIES BUT NO FATALITIES. THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE POWER STEERING GEAR COULD SEPARATE, GM SAID. MOST REPORTS INDICATED THAT DRIVERS EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STE…
Owner-reported narrative. 116,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016593 · 2003-04-27 (April 27, 2003)
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. MANY TRUCKS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY TRUCK HAS 74000 MILES AND I KNOW OF 2 OTHERS W/ 78,000 AND 66,000 MILES THAT NEEDED GASKET REPLACEMENT. TALKING TO A DEALER EMPLOYEE REVEALED THAT IT IS A POPULAR PROBLEM WITH THE CHAVY VORTEC MOTORS. AT A COST OF AROUND $400.00, IT IS A TOO FREQUENT PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018715 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
VEHICLE GOES INTO ANTI-SKID MODE ON DRY PAVEMENT, VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. I WOUND UP ON SIDEWALK ON MAY 7, 2003. VISITED CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ON MAY 8; CLAIMS FAULTY REGULATOR RING IN FRONT HUBS CAUSING ABS TO ACTIVATE AT INCORRECT INTERVALS. COULD NOT TELL ME WHICH ONE WAS BAD! WANTED TO TRY TO REPLACE ONE, IF THAT DIDN'T WORK WOULD REPLACE OTHER. ALL AT COST TO ME! $1000 FOR REPAIRS. I'M AMAZED THEY CAN NOT EVEN DIAGNOSE THEIR OWN FAULTY PARTS AND WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR THEIR TRIAL AND ERROR REPAIRS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE UNNECESSARY REPAIRS BECA…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018943 · 2003-05-19 (May 19, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS START AND STOP. SOMETIMES YOU CAN GET THEM TO RESTART BY SWITCHING THEM OFF AND WAITING A FEW SECONDS. OTHER TIMES YOU HAVE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN RESTART IT BEFORE THEY WILL OPERATE AGAIN. APPARENTLY THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH PREVIOUS YEARS UP TO 1997. WHY 1998 WAS NOT INCLUDED IS A GOOD QUESTION SINCE THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 60,075 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021351 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)
HEATER CORE FAILURE DUE TO OEM COOLANT CORROSION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021351 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V093000 · Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
Reported: 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
NHTSA campaign record ↗