1998 Chevrolet C/K Pickups Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 12%of 78 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,434miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Chevrolet C/K Pickups, 12% of the 78 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,434 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 a cost of around $400.00, it is a too frequent problem. Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #10016593, filed 2003-04, 69,000 miles“Intake manifold leaking oil and coolant at 54,000 miles. Will cost me over $400.00 to have repaired. I know of many other 1998 k-1500 trucks w/ vortec 350 with the same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10066108, filed 2004-04, 54,000 miles“Intake manifold gasket failure on 5.7 liter engine. From what the local Chevrolet dealership (w-k Chevrolet) told me, they replace 2 or 3 a week. Something to expect between 75,000 to 100,000 miles. This seems way over the line when spark plugs are expected to last 100,000 miles. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10000503, filed 2003-01, 81,434 miles“Truck stalls when driving at any speed without warning for no reason. Steering has sudden fast jerk to right then we have to over correct to left, hazard lights wouldn't turn off now they are not functional, driver side window has a mind of its own. Wiper fluid motor doesn't work, gas gauge doesn't work it just vibrates really fast. There are wires in dash that have burn marks and other components are melted. Its amazing that this truck even runs! We have spent 1200 on this pile and still haven't even fixed any of these problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10163491, filed 2006-07“Traveling about 100mph, when vehicle died out. Took to dealer & was informed safety feature built-in due to requirement by NHTSA. Computer has a built-in safety feature.”
NHTSA complaint #828387, filed 1998-09Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet C/K Pickups
34 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Chevrolet C/K Pickups
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology