1998 Chevrolet Silverado problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 335 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median Silverado year — the 1998 model ranks #9 of 35 Silverado years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 17 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
Brakes leads the complaint categories with 106 reports (32% of the total).
335
NHTSA complaints
0
Recalls
2
Investigations
19
Crash-involved
6
Fires reported
17
Injuries
2
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1998 compare to other Silverado years?
What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Silverado problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 106 | 32% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 45 | 13% | — flat |
| Steering | 23 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Electrical System | 22 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 18 | 5% | — flat |
| Transmission | 17 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 16 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 14 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 13 | 4% | — flat |
| Suspension | 11 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 10 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 9 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 9 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 7 | 2% | — flat |
| Airbags | 7 | 2% | — flat |
| Other | 6 | 2% | — flat |
| Latches & Locks | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“CONSUMER CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER WHO WAS KILLED IN THE VEHICLE. OWNER WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 50 MPH IN GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN VEHICLE WENT OVER THE RUMBLE STRIPS IN THE ROAD. STARTED TO PUMP THE BRAKES, AND REALIZED THERE WERE NONE. VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN, WAS HIT FROM THE…”
“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…”
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A SLIGHT TURN IN A CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED MAKING A SHARPER TURN. THIS BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER 2005 AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM. THIS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, DOWN A MOUNTAIN, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED CAUSING…”
“DT: WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES, AN ODOR OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. WHEN THE DRIVER RETURNED TO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. *NM THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED…”
“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 40MPH AND WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE A TIRE BLEW OUT, RESULTING IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, NOR DID THE SEAT BELTS HELP TO SECURE THE PASSENGER & DRIVER AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED 3 TIMES. *AK *ML”
1998 Chevrolet Silverado — common questions
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
NHTSA data argues against it: 335 complaints put the 1998 model at #9 of 35 Silverado years. It is one of the Silverado years to avoid.
What are the most common 1998 Silverado problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (106 complaints), visibility & wipers (45 complaints), steering (23 complaints).
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado have recalls?
No. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado.
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Which Chevrolet Silverado years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Silverado years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 1997, 2005, 1998, 1995, 2007, 1994, 1996, 2006, 2008, 2014. The cleanest record among Silverado years belongs to 1987.
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.