VehicleVerdict

1998 Chevrolet Express problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 1998 Chevrolet Express — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

27

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Express years?

Express NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted102 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 20 complaints1997: 35 complaints1998: 27 complaints1999: 82 complaints2000: 102 complaints2001: 60 complaints2002: 77 complaints2003: 75 complaints2004: 26 complaints2005: 33 complaints2006: 16 complaints2007: 18 complaints2008: 19 complaints2009: 11 complaints2010: 23 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 18 complaints2013: 31 complaints2014: 19 complaints2015: 12 complaints2016: 20 complaints2017: 30 complaints2018: 17 complaints2019: 8 complaints2020: 20 complaints2021: 12 complaints2022: 5 complaints2023: 5 complaints2024: 3 complaints2025: 0 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Express NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Express years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Express problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels622%
Brakes519%
Seat Belts415%
Body & Structure311%
Engine27%
Fuel System27%
Suspension27%
Latches & Locks14%
Electrical System14%
Visibility & Wipers14%

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Express have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

98V033000BrakesFebruary 17, 1998 · 1,137 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OR BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTOR/HUBS WERE BUILT WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION GRAY IRON THAT CAN FAIL DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

IF A DRIVER CONTINUES TO DRIVE WITH A CRACKED ROTOR, THE CRACKS COULD CONTINUE AROUND THE WHEEL MOUNTING BOLT CIRCLE AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“AIR TEMPERATURE 100 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, AIR PRESSURE IN TIRE CHECKED AT 80 PSI COLD, SPEED 60MPH. THIS IS THE THIRD TIRE OF THIS SIZE AND MAKE, MADE IN CANADA. THIS ONE AND OTHER TWO HAD ABOUT 9 TO 10 THOUSAND MILES ON THE ROAD. EACH SUFFERED A TREAD SEPARATION. OTHERS HAD ODI#735190. *AK (DOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 30, 2001

“PADS ARE WEARING OUT FROM THE INSIDE WITHOUT ANY WARNING GIVEN. BECAUSE PADS FROM OUTSIDE DO NOT WEAR OUT, SENSOR CANNOT WARN THE DRIVER .PADS WERE REPLACED 7 TIMES WITHIN 12 MONTHS, AND DEALER COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

“BOTH SHOULDER BELTS FOR THE BACK BENCH SEAT WERE NOT BOLTED TO THE VAN FLOOR. DEALER CORRECTD PROBLEM BY ADDING WASHER AND NUTS ON EACH OF THE BOLTS. OWNER DOES NOT FEEL THAT WASHERS AND NUTS WERE BIG ENOUGH TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 14, 1998

“THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HINGE BROKE COMPLETELY OFF WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING APPLIED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE DOOR WAS NOT FREQUENTLY USED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE HINGE, THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. *AK THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE PIN SEIZED UP DUE TO NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 22, 2003

“ENGINE SHAKES AND RATTLES, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. SIDE CARGO DOOR WILL NOT LATCH AT BOTTOM, DEALER STATED RIGHT SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH LINK WAS MISALIGNED. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 20, 2001

1998 Chevrolet Express — common questions

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Express reliable?

The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1998 Express problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (6 complaints), brakes (5 complaints), seat belts (4 complaints).

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Express have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Chevrolet Express. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Express years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Express years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2001, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2017, 2015. The cleanest record among Express years belongs to 2026.

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.