1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 361 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (28% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 361 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While adjusting my position in the driver seat after entering the truck I felt the back of the seat on the right side give way. It is not bent, the seat frame is broken or has come loose inside. The seat leans to the right putting me in an award and unsafe position. I only drive it when I have no other choice. I am 6'1" 214 lbs. Seat is otherwise in good condition.”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2019
“Tank was remove due gas coming onto ground when attemp to pump gas, come to find there was a crack around the neck oftank, poor welding job to attach neck to tank. Cracks along side of welding job and cost me $1,000.00.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet silverado 1500. When turning the key in the ignition, the vehicle failed to start. In addition, the fuel pump warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and replaced the fuel pump. The contact also stated that the windshield wipers functioned intermittently and the vent controls failed. The bolts on the tail lights were replaced twice, but the failure recurred where a wire failed causing the lighting for the rear tail lights to fail. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2014
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“We were going to a friends house in our 1998 chevy truck. The pedal went down to the ground. We brought the truck in and there was a leak in the brake line for the rear brakes. We replaced the brake lines. Subsequently, I put the car up to see how the front brake lines look. They are almost rotted through. We now need to replace the front brake lines. Chevy should find out why the truck looks so bad; the doors are all rotting away also. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2014
“I started my truck and the pedal went to the floor.the brakelines were rusted and all the fluid leaked out.I paid $200.00 to get the line repaired and the mechanic said it,s a matter of time before I would have to have the other line replaced.he also stated that the fuel lines would need to be replaced before long. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2014
“When trying to leave a parking garage, I depressed the pedal and the brake light came on and the pedal almost went to the floor. Got it home without incident. Took a look under the truck and the entire brake line was rusted. The place where the brake line broke was in a place where you could not physically reach it. The other lines running across the axle were also horribly rusted. Now I have to take all of them off, measure, bend, and refit. I refuse to pay gm to fix their shoddy work. I owned a 1991 gmc sonoma with over 300,000 miles on it and never had this problem. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the headlights failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was approximately 184,000. Updated 06/17/14*lj the consumer stated there was intermittent smoke coming from the steering column for a week. There was also an intermittent problem with the headlights. Updated 06/24/14”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2013
“Pulling into driveway to park into garage, pressed on the brake and it went all the way to the floor. Pushed down on emergency brake to stop the truck before it hit the garage wall. *js after placing the truck in park I opened the hood to see one of the badly rusted lines connecting to the front driver side wheel leaking fluid. Inspected all the rest of the brake lines personally all of the lines are severely rusted leading to ABS & master cylinder. Only line not affected was the rear break line I had replaced 2 years ago due to the same issue.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2013
“1998 chevy silverado k1500 brake issue: while braking at low speeds (20-10 mph) the ABS will engage, increasing stopping distance. On some occasions the pedal will become very firm and will require pumping to disengage the ABS. On other occasions the pedal will be soft, going to the floor, while ABS is engaged. A clear safty issue. A recall should be considered since many of these vehicles exist on the road today. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2012
“Exhaust manifold bolts breaking leaving studs in the heads, heating up engine compartments, releases carbon monoxide, affects o2 sensor and catalytic converter. Will not pass emissions in some states. Gm not standing behind this 1999-2008 issue. It is a safety issue and is expensive to fix. Gm mechanics denying any such issues. Please check- in to this. Our whole fleet and our personal trucks affected by this. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
How other years compare
Check your exact Silverado 1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 361 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,476 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.