1998 Chevrolet Z71: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
78,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 36 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 9 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 22.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Steering: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 5; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 31 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 | 11 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
2000: 11; 2001: 3; 2002: 10; 2003: 6; 2004: 2; 2006: 2; 2008: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10016158 · 2003-04-18 (April 18, 2003)
CHEVROLET TRUCK 1997 & 1998 Z71 HAVE STEERING PROBLEMS. MUST REPLACE STEERING SENSOR TO HAVE GOOD STEERING. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM ALONG WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT COME ON FOR NO REASON OR DON'T COME ON WHEN YOU NEED THEM. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016158 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021147 · 2003-06-06 (June 6, 2003)
STEERING SENSOR IS CAUSING PROBLEMS BECAUSE IT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RISK AND IS A PROBLEM ON ALL OF THESE VEHICLES. GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE SENSORS AT THEIR COST.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025113 · 2003-06-27 (June 27, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026982 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
CONSUMER'S SON WHILE DRIVING AT 5MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE WAS AT THE WALL OF THE BUILDING. INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. MODELZ71. YEAR 1999. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038804 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK OR QUIT DURING RAIN STORMS. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE GETTING THEM TO WORK. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 78,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042464 · 2003-11-12 (November 12, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOT WORKING . DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TAIL LIGHT BULB PLATES WHICH WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES AT $58.00 DOLLARS EACH. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042464 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053937 · 2004-01-13 (January 13, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY BRAKES WERE SLOW TO STOP VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING AROUND TOWN BRAKES WORKED FINE. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED POORLY, POWER STEERING WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053937 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090074 · 2004-08-31 (August 31, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING ON A HEAVY RAINING DAY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE AND RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INDICATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10090074 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.