1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems: either the antilock system activating at very low speeds on dry pavement, or a brake pedal that sinks to the floor when a steel line has rusted through. Windshield wipers that stop, run on, or fail intermittently are the second most common theme, followed by steering that momentarily feels lost or over-boosted. Reports span a wide mileage range, from under 10,000 miles to well past 150,000.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop, run on, or fail in rain

   • 47 complaints (13%)
   • median 75,250 mi at 7.0 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • filed 2001–2015

   Owners report wipers that quit mid-stroke in heavy rain, fail to start when switched on, keep running after being turned off, or park in the middle of the windshield; some describe turning them on and off repeatedly to get them to stop. Complaints mention the wiper motor, pulse board, and multi-function switch as the parts involved, and several owners say the dealer found nothing wrong or that their truck was not included in the wiper campaign that covered earlier model years. Reported from roughly 20,000 to 110,000 miles, most often noticed during rain or snow.

   What to check: Run the wipers through every speed and the intermittent setting, including switching them off mid-cycle, and ask whether the wiper motor or pulse board has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Windshield wipers work on an intermittent basis. Some vehicles manufactured in the years 1994 through part of the year in 1997 have been recalled for this problem. I have been told by chevy hotline that my vehicle, 1998 chevy silverado, is not covered under the recall even though the problem is the same.”

   NHTSA complaint #10016953, filed 2003-05, 30,000 miles

   “Starting around 70,000 miles, the windshield wipers started to malfunction. When I attempt to turn them off they will often continue to run for 30 seconds or longer before stopping. When they do stop, it is usually in the middle of the windshield. I have to turn them on and off 10 to 15 times to get them stopped where they are supposed to stop. When I try to use them on the inter. Speeds they often run at a regular speed with no pauses between wipes.”

   NHTSA complaint #10118291, filed 2005-04, 70,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS engages at low speed on dry pavement

   • 50 complaints (14%)
   • median 70,500 mi at 7.8 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2013

   While slowing for a stop sign, parking, or creeping in traffic, owners describe the ABS kicking in on dry pavement at roughly 5-10 mph, producing a pulsating pedal and growling noise and, in some cases, a longer stopping distance. Complaints mention wheel speed sensors found corroded and cleaned or replaced, and in some cases an ABS module or modulator, with the symptom returning later for several owners. Some report the dealer could not duplicate the condition, and others note their truck was not covered by the campaign that applied to later model years. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 130,000 miles, and several owners say it is worse in cold, wet, or snowy weather.

   What to check: Drive the truck at walking pace on dry pavement and feel for pedal pulsing or a growl; ask whether the wheel speed sensors or ABS module have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was having problems stopping at low speed. Brake pedal seemed to pulse back like the ABS was activating. Took truck to dealer and they determined that the wheel speed sensors were corroded and need to be replaced. They replaced parts and it cost me $322.15. They never showed me the wheel speed sensors.”

   NHTSA complaint #10120820, filed 2005-05, 65,668 miles

   “My anti-lock brakes began activating occasionally, then it became nearly everytime I use the brakes. I have had the brakes inspected and cleaned by mechanics who say they have fixed the problem. It always returns within minutes of leaving the shop. This began to happen in feb. Of 2004. I have a 1998 SILVERADO 1500 4x4 with front ant-ilock brakes. After seeing multiple recalls on chevy 1500 trucks, I wonder if mine has a 1999 system on it and it has been overlooked by the dealership?”

   NHTSA complaint #10146768, filed 2006-01, 135,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Rusted steel brake lines, pedal to the floor

   Mentioned in 7 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the brake pedal dropping to the floor, sometimes while pulling into a driveway or parking garage, with fluid found leaking from a corroded section of steel brake line along the frame or rear axle. Complaints frequently mention the line failing at a bend or behind a bracket where corrosion was hidden, and mechanics advising that the remaining lines are in similar condition. Repairs are usually line replacement; several owners say no assistance was offered because the truck was outside any campaign. Typically reported on older, higher-mileage trucks, from about 52,000 to over 190,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect the steel brake lines along the frame and above the rear axle for rust and wet spots, and ask whether any lines have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I started my truck and the pedal went to the floor.the brakelines were rusted and all the fluid leaked out.I paid $200.00 to get the line repaired and the mechanic said it,s a matter of time before I would have to have the other line replaced.he also stated that the fuel lines would need to be replaced before long.”

   NHTSA complaint #10609198, filed 2014-07, 157,000 miles

   “When trying to leave a parking garage, I depressed the pedal and the brake light came on and the pedal almost went to the floor. Got it home without incident. Took a look under the truck and the entire brake line was rusted. The place where the brake line broke was in a place where you could not physically reach it. The other lines running across the axle were also horribly rusted. Now I have to take all of them off, measure, bend, and refit. I refuse to pay GM to fix their shoddy work. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10586537, filed 2014-05, 187,563 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering feels loose, over-boosted, or briefly lost

   • 46 complaints (13%)
   • median 74,800 mi at 7.4 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2014

   Owners describe the steering momentarily dropping out or the wheel jerking to one side at speed, and others report the truck oversteering with slight wheel movement so it feels twitchy on the highway. Some complaints mention a temporary loss of power assist in low-speed turns, and one owner describes intermittent smoke from the steering column along with headlight failures. Dealers are described as either unable to reproduce the problem or saying the behavior was normal for the model. Reported across a wide range, from about 31,000 to 184,000 miles.

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and through slow turns, feeling for a dead spot, sudden assist change, or twitchiness, and check the steering column for any burning smell.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have been having power steering problems with my 1998 Chevrolet silverado c1500 pickup since 2001. It will suddenly oversteer with the slightest movement of the steering wheel, and has nearly caused me serious problems at speed. It does not do it constantly, but occurs more or less several times a day down to once every two or three days. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10102831, filed 2004-12, 31,000 miles

   “1998 chevy 4x4 silverado-- steering problem--- best described as running over marbles, as steering disappears for a second. It happens frequently in all positions and speeds. When this sudden loss of steering happens, you loose control for that split second. Was told by a certified GM mechanic that it is a common problem for that truck and a very costly repair. It just a matter of time before someone is hurt or killed by this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10311217, filed 2010-02, 75,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or slipping transmission shifts

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe rough shifting and slippage during gear changes, with the truck going back to the shop more than once for the same complaint. Complaints mention that a harsh 1-2 upshift can appear after transmission or torque converter work, sometimes with the check engine light on. A related service bulletin addresses a harsh 1-2 upshift following transmission or converter replacement. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 75,000 miles.

   What to check: Drive from a stop through several upshifts when the transmission is cold and warm, and ask whether the transmission or torque converter has been replaced and whether the bulletin was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1998 chevy k1500 pick-up this will be the second time it has gone to the garage for a rough shift, slippage during shift I have looked online and their are thousands of complaints for the same type of vehicle, second the door handles break very easy on this year of truck inside and outside. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10054716, filed 2004-01, 61,315 miles

   “Dt: caller stated that speed control was not letting up when letting off the gas pedal. Took vehicle dealer about 6 times in the past 5 years. They replaced the part, and in a few weeks the problem recurred. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10130039, filed 2005-07, 24,000 miles

Buying note. Check the brake lines for rust and test the ABS at walking pace before buying, since brake complaints dominate this model year. Also verify the wipers and steering on a test drive, and expect that on a truck this old many of these items may already have been repaired.

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.