Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
As described in the windshield motor failure issues concerning the 94 to 97 Chevrolet pickup truck models, my 1998 Silverado extended cab is experiencing the same exact defect. I have no idea how many failures it has had because it is a consistent problem. This issue has been going on since April of 2003 and has gotten progressively worse. I almost totaled out my truck in dallas back in October during a rainstorm due to system failure. They pretty much work when they want to. And its usually not when I need them. Same part as in 97 issues, same problem, but no recall or replacement. Really makes me want to buy another Chevy truck!!! Yeah right!!!
1998 Chevy. Silverado p/u truck. Wipers began stopping in July 2005. Have to stop in driving rain to move wires at control/motor outside. Extremely dangerous in heavy traffic, no place to stop. Safety of self and family in extreme danger. Web is full of complaints yet no recall, or is there? Please advise asap. I am tired of jeopardizing my life and that of my family due to GM failure to notify me and thousands of others of this problem and proper way to repair. Does not occur just once, but almost every time wipers are required. Next question about incident date is misleading-does not occur just once, but many times.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Silverado, while using the windshield wipers they had suddenly stopped and a buzzing sound was coming from the windshield wipers. After the buzzing sound had stopped the windshield wipers had began to work properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the probe central module needed to be replaced. The current mileage is 225,000 failure mileage was 89000. Bl updated 10/20/09 updated 10/22/09.
While driving at 65 MPH in a rain storm the windshield wipers suddenly quit working. This resulted in poor visibility. When this occurred consumer immediately pulled over to the side of the road and waited until the rain storm stopped. This happened because the solder joint near the wiring harness connector cracked. The windshield wiper motor circuit and cover needed to be replaced as stated in the windshield wiper wiring recall 98v1500001.
Transmission went out it started that when you put it reverse it didn't want to go then put into drive then reverse it worked. Then while driving we pulled into parking spot and tried to reverse it was totally gone. Windshied wipers stop working on and off. You can hear the motor they won't move and at most times it effects the windshield washer fluid so it doesn't work.
At any speed windshield wipers operate poorly. At times consumer had to get out of vehicle, go under the hood, and tap on the actual wiper motor. Manufacturer and dealer were aware of the problem. 1996 and 1997 vehicles of the same make/model were on recall.
While driving in the rain windshield wipers worked intermittently. The wiper motor recall did not cover the consumer's 1998 Silverado, only up to 1997. The vehicle experienced the exact same symptoms stated in recall 03v-159000.
While driving in rainy weather front windshield wipers failed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The consumer indicated that 1997 and 1999 siilverdao's were recalled for wiper problems.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado, 16% of the model year's 279 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Silverado window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado. 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 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.