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1998 Chevrolet SilveradoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 279 owner complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

41
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.4× the Silverado median · #9 of 24 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints27931 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage67kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 7, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado has problems

279 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic846
Visibility450
Steering211
Electrical system204
Tires161
Engine and engine cooling150
Power train140
Seats132
Fuel system, gasoline110
14 other systems6710

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1998 Chevrolet Silverado recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?

67kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 24 service brakes, hydraulic complaints. 92% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 31% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles22under 100k miles2100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Silverado year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Silverado median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLESEA05007 · closed Apr 11, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-066
  2. TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BREAKAGERQ04010 · closed Apr 14, 2005
    No recall
In owners' words

What Silverado owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE BRAKES ON THIS TRUCK ARE SPONGY AND DO NOT STOP THE VEHICLE WELL AT ALL. NO REPAIRS DONE SEEM TO HELP IMPROVE THE STOPPING DISTANCE. WORST BRAKE I HAVE EVER SEEN ON A VEHICLE. DEFINITELY NOT NORMAL. *TR
Complaint 10427127 · Sep 25, 2011 · 106,000 miles
HAVE 1998 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 SHORT-BED V-6 PICKUP WITH ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS. HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THERE IS A HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM. THE MAKER IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT ONLY RECALLED 1999 AND LATER MODELS. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY DECIDED THAT ONE, BUT I DO KNOW IT HAS TO DO WITH MONEY!…
Complaint 10166397 · Aug 24, 2006 · 97,600 miles
RE: RECALL # 05V379000 FOR 1999 THROUGH 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO PICK UP TRUCKS. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT I HAVE A 1998 SILVERADO CHEVY TRUCK AND I EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM "(UNWANTED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION)" IN JAN. 2005 FIVE (5) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE RECALL. I WAS CHARGED…
Complaint 10161877 · Jul 8, 2006 · 20,340 miles

Own a 1998 Silverado?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.