VehicleVerdict

1998 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 37 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.3 times the median Chevrolet Truck year — the 1998 model ranks #8 of 41 Chevrolet Truck years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 2 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (9), steering (4), and suspension (3), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

37

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Chevrolet Truck years?

Chevrolet Truck NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted81 complaints1960: 0 complaints1961: 0 complaints1962: 4 complaints1963: 0 complaints1964: 0 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 0 complaints1967: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1972: 2 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 2 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 2 complaints1977: 5 complaints1978: 3 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 4 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 3 complaints1985: 5 complaints1986: 4 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 27 complaints1989: 19 complaints1990: 18 complaints1991: 14 complaints1992: 15 complaints1993: 15 complaints1994: 53 complaints1995: 80 complaints1996: 81 complaints1997: 53 complaints1998: 37 complaints1999: 39 complaints2000: 23 complaints2001: 32 complaints2002: 45 complaints2003: 48 complaints
Chevrolet Truck NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Chevrolet Truck years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes924%
Steering411%
Visibility & Wipers38%
Tires & Wheels38%
Fuel System38%
Suspension38%
Airbags25%
Seats25%
Speed Control25%
Electrical System13%
Other13%
Latches & Locks13%
Engine13%
Seat Belts13%
Transmission13%

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck have recalls?

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

06E040000LightingMay 15, 2006 · 1,648 units

Defect

CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE TWO FONT BRAKE SENSORS. MR AFTER THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES WOULD SOMEHOW RELEASE THE TRUNK AND WOULD CONTINUE TO GO. THE CONSUMER HAS REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING IN THE SEATS. SCC *NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

“I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED SEPTEMBER 2010. BETWEEN 45-70 MPH, TURNING SLIGHTLY OR HARD TURN, STEERING MAKES POPPING SOUND AND VEERS IN THAT DIRECTIONS WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. ON STRAIGHT-AWAYS, THE VEHICLE WILL VEER EITHER DIRECTION ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 12, 2011

“1998 CHEVY BLAZER 4WD WINDSHIELD MOTOR. THIS CAR WAS ONLY PURCHASE TWO YEARS AGO AND FOR YEAR I ALMOST KILL MY SELF IT EITHER A ELECTRICAL DEFAULT OR SHORT . I HAD GONE A DEALERSHIP AND THERE WHERE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I START TO WONDER IF HAD A RECALL ON THIS MODEL OF TRUCK. A.S.A.P…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 8, 2004

“FRONT END SUSPENSION SYSTEM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WHEN TURNING WHEELS TO THE LEFT THE BRAKE CALIPER PIN IS MAKING CONTACT WITH THE LOWER A-FRAME, THIS COULD BE APPLYING EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO BRAKE CALIPER, ROTOR AND A-FRAME. *YC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension

“SIDEWALLS ON TIRE ARE SPLITTING APART AND KEEP GOING FLAT . FIRESTONE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE AT ALL AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. (TIRESIZE: 245/75/16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245/75/16 )”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels

1998 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck — common questions

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 37 complaints put the 1998 model at #8 of 41 Chevrolet Truck years. It is one of the Chevrolet Truck years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Truck problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (9 complaints), steering (4 complaints), suspension (3 complaints).

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck have recalls?

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

Which Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Chevrolet Truck years to avoid are 1996, 1995, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1998, 2001. The cleanest record among Chevrolet Truck years belongs to 1975.

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.