VehicleVerdict

1998 Chevrolet C/k Pickups problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 88 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.7 times the median C/k Pickups year — the 1998 model ranks #1 of 13 C/k Pickups years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 35 reports (40% of the total).

88

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other C/k Pickups years?

C/k Pickups NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted88 complaints1990: 1 complaints1991: 7 complaints1992: 7 complaints1993: 12 complaints1994: 60 complaints1995: 23 complaints1996: 24 complaints1997: 85 complaints1998: 88 complaints1999: 43 complaints2000: 40 complaints2001: 28 complaints2002: 14 complaints
C/k Pickups NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C/k Pickups years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet C/k Pickups problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers3540%
Brakes2427%
Engine910%
Steering89%
Transmission33%
Tires & Wheels22%
Electrical System22%
Fuel System11%
Latches & Locks11%
Body & Structure11%
Lighting11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 1998 Chevrolet C/k Pickups have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

03V093000Visibility & WipersMarch 7, 2003 · 507,171 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITENTLY. STOP HALF WAY THROUGH CYCLE. CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER BEING SHUT OFF. SAME PROBLEM GM HAS HAD FOR YEARS. SAME PROBLEM WE HAD WITH 1995 SUBURBAN. SAME PROBLEM WE HAD WITH 1996 TAHOE. FROM LOOKING AT THE COMPLAINTS STARTING TO APPEAR ON YOUR WEB SITE, THE RECALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 3, 2003

“MY 1998 CHEVY SILVERADO PICKUP TRUCK HAD A BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE RUSTING OUT BECAUSE THE DESIGN HAS THE BRAKE LINE LAYING ON TOP OF A STEEL GUARD UNDER THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK WHERE SNOW GATHERS RATHER EASILY AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO INSPECT THE LINE THERE. I REAR ENDED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 1, 2009 · crash

“INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. MANY TRUCKS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY TRUCK HAS 74000 MILES AND I KNOW OF 2 OTHERS W/ 78,000 AND 66,000 MILES THAT NEEDED GASKET REPLACEMENT. TALKING TO A DEALER EMPLOYEE REVEALED THAT IT IS A POPULAR PROBLEM WITH THE CHAVY VORTEC MOTORS. AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 24, 2003

“STEERING: I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEN TURNING RIGHT DURING A LONG TURN, IT FEELS LIKE I HIT A PATCH OF ICE OR LIKE SOMEONE GRAB HE STEERING WHEEL & JERK IT TO THE RIGHT. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT SEEM TO BE GETTING WORST BUT I DO NOT LIKE THE FEEL. SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 27, 2007

“THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILAGE JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS RPLECED WITH A GM REPLACEMENT THEY INCLUDED UPDATED APRTS BUT IT WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL AND IT WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VERY SLOOPY BUT I WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 31, 2002

1998 Chevrolet C/k Pickups — common questions

Is the 1998 Chevrolet C/k Pickups reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 88 complaints put the 1998 model at #1 of 13 C/k Pickups years. It is one of the C/k Pickups years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 C/k Pickups problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (35 complaints), brakes (24 complaints), engine (9 complaints).

Does the 1998 Chevrolet C/k Pickups have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1998 Chevrolet C/k Pickups. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Chevrolet C/k Pickups under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet C/k Pickups years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the C/k Pickups years to avoid are 1998, 1997, 1994, 1999, 2000. The cleanest record among C/k Pickups years belongs to 1990.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.