Most common 1998 Chevrolet Silverado problems
Share of the 279 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Silverado complaints by model year
Best Silverado years: 2016, 2010, 2013. Years to avoid: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 1999. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado:
Tailgate support cable breakage
Odi is upgrading rq04-010 and opening an engineering analysis to further investigate the tailgate support cables installed in 1998, 1999, and partial year 2000 silverados and sierras (c/k models).general motors is conducting recall campaign 04v-129 to replace the tailgate support cables originally installed in certain model year 2000 - 2004 sierras and silverados.general motors has advised odi that the materials…
Tailgate support cables
General motors is conducting a safety recall to remove and replace the tailgate support cables installed in 805,368 model year 1999 and 2000 gmt 800 model vehicles.the model year 1999 and 2000 gmt-800 series vehicles that will be campaigned had contributed a significant majority of the total complaints (87%) and injuries (79%) associated with the tailgate support cable breakage in the model year 1998 - 2000 c/k…
What 1998 Chevrolet Silverado owners say
Brakes all 89 →
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! In December of 2005, I was in an accident due to the truck brakes failing with the anti-lock pulsing on and I had no braking time and hit another vehicle. It is a well known problem with many GMC truck owners. It's the reason I will never own another GMC product! If a manufacturer has knowledge of a defect and does nothing, it is wrong! At slow speeds when coming to a stop, the ABS system kicks on and makes it nearly impossible to stop on time. Took it to a dealer who ran the VIN and said my truck was not covered. It is not right! …
I have tried unsuccessfully to contact Chevrolet to get attention brought to the issue. I keep being told they are investigating the problem, but still no word from them. Everytime they say they will get back to me, no one ever does. The brakes lock up when it is wet outside sometimes they don't work at all, and sometimes they work great. I would just like for my brakes to be fixed. We have consulted 2 authorized Chevrolet dealers and they can not duplicate the problem. I am back into a corner and do not know what else to do. I risk my life, my wife's life, our 6 month old daughter's life, and everyone out on the road when I drive the truck. This is the only mode of transportation I have to get back and forth to work. I would appreciate you looking into this problem. Thank you, daniel l. Mckinney
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 45 →
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 control switch, they continue to keep going until I literally shut the vehicle off. Then they stop in the upright, vertical potion. Living in arizona, I don't have to deal with a lot of rain, but when it does rain, it is a very frustrating and frightening time. …
On 5-27-03 I was traveling in the left hand lane of interstae 83 crossing the south bridge, over the susquehanna river. It was raining hard at the time and my windshield wipers stopped working. I could hear the motor running but the windshield wipers were not moving. I was able to make my way to the shoulder of the road, with very limited visibility, and pull off the road without accident. When I took the vehicle for service the following day I was told that Chevrolet was aware of the problem but no recall had been done to address it. The circuit board for the wipers needed replaced. The wiper failure had occured two other times in the past, but I was parked at those times and in no danger of an accident.
Steering all 21 →
Dt*: the contact stated while making a slight turn in a curve, the steering wheel jerked making a sharper turn. This began in September 2005 and the dealership was unable to determine a problem. This progressively worsened. While driving 55 MPH, down a mountain, the steering wheel jerked causing the vehicle to hit a rock wall and the vehicle spun out of control. There was a police report taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard, where the insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. Although, the seat belt was worn, the contact sustained minor injuries.
The steering wheel on my 1998 Silverado was able to turn without the wheels turning. Taking my truck to a local garage for a cause it was detected that the bolt in the steering column was missing. I had the bolt installed and the problem was solved. I contacted the customer service department of GM and did not receive a reason why did could happen in a car I bought and was the sole owner. I also told them that I believe it to be a safety item and that a notice should be issued to other owners. The response I received was that I did not have the vehicle brought to their shops and therefore could not comment on what the problem was,or that they would do anything about it. They also said that they would not issue a bulletin as I had not brought it into one of their shops and they could not determine the cause. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado a good car?
Based on 279 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Silverado rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Silverado at the same age. It is one of the Silverado years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado?
The brakes — 89 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (45) and steering (21).
How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Silverado?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2010 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 1999. See the full Chevrolet Silverado years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Silverado problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 21% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.