1998 Chevrolet C/K Pickups Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report windshield wipers that stop, start late, or quit entirely, and antilock brakes that activate at low speeds and lengthen stopping distance. The wiper complaints recur in rain and snow across a wide mileage range, while the brake complaints cluster at low-speed stops and often mention a later-year recall for the same symptom. Intake manifold gasket leaks on the 5.7L engine and a steering feel of momentary loss or a dead spot also appear in the sample, along with some reports of rusted rear brake lines.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop or fail intermittently

   • 32 complaints (41%)
   • median 65,500 mi at 6.1 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2009

   Owners describe wipers that quit mid-sweep, fail to start when switched on, keep running after being shut off, or refuse to park, sometimes with a buzzing sound from the motor area. Several report that restarting the engine, tapping the wiper motor cover, or nudging the arm gets them moving again, and some say a dealer traced it to the wiper motor or its circuit board. Complaints frequently note that an earlier recall covered older model years but this year was not included. Reported from about 25,000 to 126,000 miles, usually in heavy rain or snow and often intermittent over months.

   What to check: Cycle the wipers through every speed, mist and washer setting and watch for slow start, failure to park, or run-on after switching off. Ask whether the wiper motor or its control board has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 needs to be amended to include the 1998 model year.”

   NHTSA complaint #10028476, filed 2003-07, 51,000 miles

   “My windshield wipers do not work all the time. I know that there was a recall on 1997 and older Chevrolet trucks and I brought it to the attention of the dealer that I take my truck to for service. They said that there is not any recall for my 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck. Please help me!!!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10047516, filed 2003-11, 71,700 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS activates at low speed, longer stopping distance

   • 16 complaints (21%)
   • median 64,422 mi at 7.4 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2007

   Owners describe the antilock brakes engaging on dry pavement during the final few mph of a stop, producing a shudder or grinding pedal and letting the truck roll past the intended stopping point. Several say a dealer cleaned or replaced a wheel speed sensor, and some were told the sensor or front hub ring was at fault. Complaints repeatedly reference later-model recalls for unwanted ABS activation and ask why this year is excluded. Mostly reported between about 38,000 and 90,000 miles, at stops under roughly 10 mph and in ordinary dry conditions.

   What to check: Drive slowly and brake firmly from about 10 mph on dry pavement; note any pedal pulsation or extra rolling. Ask whether wheel speed sensors or front hub components have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1998 chevy pickup truck with anti-lock brakes. For the last 2 years, the anti-lock brakes would activate whenever the vehicle is moving at speeds less than 10 MPH; this makes it difficult when trying to stop at slow speeds. I recently found out that 1999 & 2000 chevy pickup trucks have a recall for the same ABS problem that I am experiencing with my 1998 truck. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10171837, filed 2006-10, 80,000 miles

   “Vehicle goes into anti-skid mode on dry pavement, vehicle does not stop. I wound up on sidewalk on may 7, 2003. Visited Chevrolet dealership on may 8; claims faulty regulator ring in front hubs causing ABS to activate at incorrect intervals. Could not tell me which one was bad! Wanted to try to replace one, if that didn't work would replace other. All at cost to me! $1000 for repairs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10018715, filed 2003-05, 50,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Momentary loss of steering assist or dead spot

   • 7 complaints (9%)
   • median 44,500 mi at 4.9 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2012

   Owners describe a brief slip or dead spot while turning, usually to the right, feeling like the wheel grabs or the assist drops out for an instant, and in one case the pump pulley and shaft separated. Some say a steering wheel position sensor with a worn spot was identified, and others note the condition worsened over time or showed up more in cool weather. Reported from roughly 25,000 to 116,000 miles, often during steady turns at normal road speeds.

   What to check: Turn slowly through a full lock in a parking lot and feel for a notch, slip or sudden change in effort; check for power steering fluid leaks and ask about pump or sensor replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 problem when driving the truck could over steer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10228246, filed 2008-05, 39,000 miles

   “I experienced an intermittent loss of power steering when turning, then surges which causes me to over steer. I have researched this problem and know that GM has issued a recall on other models but not mine. Please see below: GM, the world's largest auto maker, said it had 15 reports of crashes as a result of problems with the power steering, including three injuries but no fatalities. The lower pinion bearing in the power steering gear could separate, GM said. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10016407, filed 2003-04, 116,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Rusted rear brake lines and fluid loss

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 90,733 mi at 9.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2010

   Owners report the steel brake line to the rear brakes rusting through and rupturing, so the pedal drops to the floor and braking is lost at that moment. Some describe the line running above a frame guard where snow and salt collect and where it is hard to inspect, and repairs involved replacing the line. Reported between about 53,000 and 136,000 miles, generally on trucks in snow-belt use.

   What to check: Have the steel brake lines along the frame, especially above the front guard, inspected for rust or seepage, and check pedal firmness and fluid level.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake failure on 2 separate occasions due to brake line ruptures...once 6' below the master cylinder and 8 months later on a line to a rear brake. Both times lost the pedal. My truck is a 1998 ck 1500 with virtually no body rot. I was surprised that #1 there was a complete loss of pedal and #2 a second perforation occurred so soon. I will fill out the form for incident #1 ( july 2009) the other rupture was 23 mar 2010.”

   NHTSA complaint #10326142, filed 2010-04, 136,403 miles

   “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 another vehicle on a highway due to the line rupturing without any prior notice of leaking when I applied the brakes. I had my truck towed to a repair shop and they replaced the line. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10325648, filed 2010-04, 97,000 miles

Buying note. Check the wipers and the low-speed brake behavior on a test drive before buying, since those two account for most owner complaints here. Also have the intake manifold area and the steel brake lines inspected, especially on a truck used in road-salt conditions.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.