1998 Chevrolet SILVERADO: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10012375 · 2003-03-25 (March 25, 2003)
THE ENGINE COOLANT LEAKED OUT, AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE HEATER NIPPLE BEING CORRODED AND BREAKING OFF.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012375 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 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 10015211 · 2003-04-04 (April 4, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 98 V 150 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 657,233 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015356 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 40 MPH, HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *NLM *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015356 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015430 · 2003-04-08 (April 8, 2003)
THE DRIVER SEAT BACK FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE, THE SEAT WAS IN THE RECLINING POSITION. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE METAL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015430 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 10016436 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
I OWN A 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO, 4X4, EXTENDED CAB, 1/2 TON AND IT HAS A MALFUNCTION OF SOME SORT IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR OR COMPUTER MODULE OF THE WIPERS. THE WIPERS WILL NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THEY ARE TURNED TO THE ON POSITION IMMEDIATELY AS THEY SHOULD AND ONCE THEY FINALLY DO ACTIVATE, THEY RANDOMLY AND SPORADICALLY MOVE AND WILL NOT RESPOND WHEN I TURN THEM OFF ON THE WIPER CONTROLS SWITCH. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH RELAY, VARIABLE SPEED AND IT DOES THIS NO MATTER WHAT SPEED SETTING IT IS ON. ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN SHUT OFF ON THE CONT…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016436 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.