Complaints
335
Crashes
19
Fires
6
Injuries
17
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Chevrolet Silverado Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#161 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:61,257 mi
Crash-related:6
#218 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Avg mileage:83,663 mi
#315 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Avg mileage:125,223 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 61 | 6 | — | 61,257 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 18 | — | — | 83,663 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 15 | — | — | 125,223 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 9 | 1 | — | 144,000 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 7 | — | — | 185,000 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 7 | 1 | — | 89,230 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | — | 2 | 86,333 mi | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | — | — | 39,270 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 5 | 1 | — | 112,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 | — | — | 71,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments | 5 | — | — | 74,095 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 3 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
61
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
61,257
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,663
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
125,223
Tire Defects
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
144,000
Seat-Related Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
185,000
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,230
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
86,333
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
39,270
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
112,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,095
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brake Master Cylinder
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Silverado Years
1998 Chevrolet Silverado — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Chevrolet Silverado has 335 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 61 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (61 complaints, avg 61,257 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor (18 complaints, avg 83,663 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer (15 complaints, avg 125,223 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 86,268 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado include 19 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 17 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Chevrolet Silverado?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Silverado reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Chevrolet Silverado
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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