Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Brake pedal goes sponges and all the way to the floor. The truck had over 120,000 miles before rear brakes were replaced. In that time I went through 8 sets of brakes and rotors. In 2005 I rear ended a car at about 30 MPH. The brakes went to the floor. Local Chevy dealership replaced a defective brake booster assemble. This was the second brake booster/ master cylinder assembly replace on my truck since 2005. Since then. I have lost brakes on the truck 4 more times. Failed brake lines (leak and break) blown brake caliper and rubber hose. I am an ase certified mechanic. The rear brakes of the truck did not provide any braking assistance when inspected. Suspected fault was a defective design on the 1500 series truck brakes. …
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet k1500. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the anti-lock system automatically engaged. As a result, the vehicle had little to no braking ability. The contact stated that a vehicle with no brakes is a huge safety issue. He took the vehicle to the dealer and was advised to clean out the wheel speed sensors for the anti-lock brake. This improved the braking system, but it still did not work properly. He took the vehicle back to the dealer after finding NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:anti-lock) for the same failure he was experiencing. The dealer stated that the recall did not include his vehicle and they were not responsible for the repairs. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 55,000 and current mileage was 64,000. Updated 10/03/08 updated 10/07/08.
My anti-lock brakes on my 1998 Chevrolet Silverado start to go into the anti-lock mode on dry pavement at slow speeds. This started on its own last January. I thought it was because of driving on winter roads in wisconsin, being snow covered and sometimes icy. However, this condition has continued through the spring, summer, and now fall. In fact, it is getting worse. It makes me feel like I won't be able to stop in time and maybe cause an accident. I'm waiting to see what GM is going to do regarding a recall that is in effect for this very problem in 14 states. Wisconsin is not included in this recall, but they should be. We are certainly in the "salt-belt." and the recall should go back to 1996 because the anti-lock braking mechanism is similar from 1996-2002.
Tl*- the contact stated that the ABS on the1998 Chevrolet Silverado continued to pulsate and vibrate. The ABS operated on dry pavement while driving at a low speed. This happened when coming to a stop. The vehic stopped and the ABS engaged. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer and was given a case# 71-490-160-500. He stated that the manufacturer informed him that there was recall 05V379000 for the 1999 vehicles, but not for this vehicle regarding service brakes, hydraulic: antilock. The failure mileage was 71000 and the current mileage was 71600. The wheel speed sensor and hub were replaced. The sensor failed due to road salt corrosion. Updated 04/12/07.
Tl* - the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The 1999 model had a safety recall on the ABS system. The contact was told that the safety recall did not apply to this vehicle due to the VIN. . The contact stated that at a low speed the ABS system would just turn on. The contact stated that on the way to the dealership to have the ABS system checked the ABS system turned on unexpectantly. Didn'tnotice this until trying to stop. The contact stated that on the 3 different occasions she had been unable to stop the vehicle easily. The weather was cold, but clear, and each time she was coming to a stop. The current mileage and the failure mileage were both 35680.
When road conditions are wet, the rear brakes on my truck lock-up as the vehicle is coming to a stop. This is a dangerous condition, as it interferes with my ability to control the vehicle during wet conditions. Additionally, when I accelarate from the stop, the rear breaks release with a loud clunking sound. The problem has occurred in the past after going through a car wash, however, the problem did not persist since the wheather conditions at those times were dry. In the last incident, however, the problem persisted since the wheather was rainy and the roads were wet. I am very concerned regarding this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the brakes repeatedly failed. The hubs, calipers, rotors, and the master cylinder were repaired three separate occasions. Whenever the brakes were depressed, they would vibrate violently and seize. The vehicle was taken to two different mechanic shops for the repairs, but they could not diagnose the failure. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls or warranties available. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 105,000.
While driving, applied brakes. Pedal went almost to floor and required a significant distance to stop. Noticed fluid leaking through the frame on drivers side of the truck. Found a pin hole leak in the steel brake line at the 45 degree bend at rear of truck where it offsets up to clear the frame and then back down to its connection by drivers rear shock. The leak was hidden behind the plastic bracket that holds the steel line to the frame. The entire brake line running along the inside of the frame has excessive corrosion. Very dangerous situation. Fortunately this didn't occur in a panic stop.
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.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet c1500. While driving between 5-50 MPH, the brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. The brake pedal was depressed several times before the pedal popped back up. The check engine warning light illuminated. The brake pads and rotors were replaced, but the failure continued. The dealer stated that the electronic brake module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and current mileage was 98,000. Updated 7/3/08 the master cylinder was replaced. Updated
Brake complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 122 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 34% of the model year's 361 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (67 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.