1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 2%of 361 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 121,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2% of the 361 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 121,200 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“The event was a crash of my 1998 Chevrolet silverado p/u. The crash was a forward moving impact to the side of another vehicle with a speed of 40 MPH. And the air bags didn't deploy. The results was the driver impacted the steering wheel as of today only minor pain and bruises are evident. The is the first failure of this system I know of. I have tried to deploy the air bag form a 1995 buick and it didn't fire also, what is the problem with this system. This incident could have resulted in the death of the driver.”
NHTSA complaint #10141846, filed 2005-11“The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet k1500. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag deployed without warning. The vehicle was stationary and was not involved in a crash at the time. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The purchase date was unknown. The failure mileage was 121,200 and current mileage was 122,713.”
NHTSA complaint #10208050, filed 2007-11, 121,200 miles“While traveling about 75mph on the highway she took off the cruise control. And without prior warning the consumer lost control of the vehicle and hit an embankment. The dual airbags didn't deploy at all. Please fill in additional information dealer is aware of the problem. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #8023805, filed 2002-12“Consumer was driving about 45 MPH when he was rear ended by another vehicle. Applied brakes and the brakes went straight to the floorboard. Consumer hit the curb, and the vehicle came to a stop. Driver's air bag failed to deploy. Contacted the dealer for repair service.”
NHTSA complaint #828953, filed 1998-10“While driving at about 25mph vehicle shutdown, causing the driver to lose control and the brakes to be inoperable. Vehicle collided into a pole. Upon impact, the airbag did not deploy. The dealer and manufacturer have been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #826974, filed 1998-08Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 8 | 1% |
| 2021 | 20 | 2% |
| 2020 | 11 | 1% |
| 2019 | 12 | 1% |
| 2018 | 15 | 3% |
| 2017 | 30 | 4% |
| 2016 | 18 | 2% |
| 2015 | 66 | 6% |
| 2014 | 47 | 3% |
| 2013 | 83 | 27% |
| 2012 | 59 | 27% |
| 2011 | 306 | 54% |
| 2010 | 197 | 54% |
| 2009 | 231 | 52% |
| 2008 | 594 | 65% |
| 2007 | 479 | 56% |
| 2006 | 24 | 7% |
| 2005 | 51 | 10% |
| 2004 | 34 | 4% |
| 2003 | 21 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 3% |
| 2001 | 12 | 3% |
| 2000 | 31 | 5% |
| 1999 | 19 | 3% |
| 1998 | 7 | 2% |
| 1997 | 16 | 3% |
| 1994 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
122 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
60 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsTires
12 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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