1998 Chevrolet Silverado Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe antilock brake behavior at low speeds, where the ABS engages during ordinary stopping and the truck takes longer to stop, and windshield wipers that quit or work intermittently. Most reports come in with the odometer between roughly 20,000 and 100,000 miles, and many owners note that similar problems were recalled on other model years but their vehicle's VIN was not included.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS engages at low speed, longer stopping distance

   • 42 complaints (15%)
   • median 64,806 mi at 7.1 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $625 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2006

   Owners describe the antilock brakes activating during normal braking at low speeds, often between about 3 and 20 mph, with the pedal pulsing or going toward the floor and the truck taking longer to stop. Some report that replacing hub bearings, wheel speed sensors or pads did not correct it. Several complaints note that a recall covering antilock brakes on later model years exists, but their vehicle was not included by VIN, and dealers either could not identify the cause or confirmed an ABS fault without a fix. Reported across the sample from about 20,000 to 106,000 miles, typically during low-speed braking on dry roads.

   What to check: Drive the truck slowly and brake gently from around 5–10 mph to see whether the pedal pulses or the stopping distance feels long, and ask whether the ABS module, sensors or hubs have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Have 1998 chevy Silverado 1500 short-bed v-6 pickup with ABS brake problems. Have researched and found there is a history of this problem. The maker is fully aware of the problem but only recalled 1999 and later models. I don't know how they decided that one, but I do know it has to do with money! In december of 2005, I was in an accident due to the truck brakes failing with the anti-lock pulsing on and I had no braking time and hit another vehicle. It is a well known problem with many gmc truck owners. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10166397, filed 2006-08, 97,600 miles

   “Re: recall # 05v379000 for 1999 through 2002 Chevrolet Silverado pick up trucks. Please be advised that I have a 1998 Silverado chevy truck and I experienced this exact same problem (unwanted anti-lock brake system (ABS) activation) in jan. 2005 five (5) months prior to the recall. I was charged $653.94 to repair my vehicle . I have tried to receive some satisfaction from GM with no results. The vehicle only had 20340 miles on it at that time. I believe the 1998 Silverado trucks should have been included in this recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10161877, filed 2006-07, 20,340 miles
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop or work intermittently

   • 31 complaints (11%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • filed 2002–2009

   Complaints describe wipers that suddenly stop mid-sweep, sometimes with the motor still audible, then resume later or after the plug or wiring at the motor is moved. Owners report it happening repeatedly in rain and that switching between pulse and continuous settings sometimes restores operation. According to complaints, dealers often did not resolve it, and some owners note that wiper motor recalls on other model years did not cover their vehicle. Mostly reported between about 37,000 and 124,000 miles, in rain and often worsening over time.

   What to check: Run the wipers on every speed setting and the washer, and look for a history of wiper motor, module or wiring repair; wipers that pause or need a wiggle at the plug are worth investigating.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1998 chevy. Silverado p/u truck. Wipers began stopping in july 2005. Have to stop in driving rain to move wires at control/motor outside. Extremely dangerous in heavy traffic, no place to stop. Safety of self and family in extreme danger. Web is full of complaints yet no recall, or is there? Please advise asap. I am tired of jeopardizing my life and that of my family due to GM failure to notify me and thousands of others of this problem and proper way to repair. Does not occur just once, but almost every time wipers are required. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10153196, filed 2006-03, 70,000 miles

   “On 5-27-03 I was traveling in the left hand lane of interstae 83 crossing the south bridge, over the susquehanna river. It was raining hard at the time and my windshield wipers stopped working. I could hear the motor running but the windshield wipers were not moving. I was able to make my way to the shoulder of the road, with very limited visibility, and pull off the road without accident. When I took the vehicle for service the following day I was told that Chevrolet was aware of the problem but no recall had been done to address it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10020751, filed 2003-05, 63,600 miles
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Tailgate support cables break

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the tailgate support cables stretching, snapping or breaking while the gate is being lowered or loaded, letting the tailgate drop or fall. Some report repeated cable replacements that did not last, and several note that a tailgate cable recall exists for other vehicles but theirs was not covered by VIN. Dealers in some cases replaced the cables, in others said the vehicle was not covered. Reported from about 5,000 to 106,000 miles, often while loading or standing on the tailgate.

   What to check: Inspect both tailgate cables for fraying, stretch or uneven length, lower the gate slowly, and ask whether the cables have ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: the contact stated tailgate attachment cables broke in half and the tailgate fell off the vehicle. The hinge and attachments were repaired. The vehicle was also having a problem with the ABS engaging at low speeds of 20 MPH or less. The brake pedal must be depressed several times in order to stop completely. The vehicle has not been seen by a dealer for inspection. The ABS has not been repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10146776, filed 2006-01, 70,000 miles

   “Consumer indicated that the straps on tailgate were stretched out on one side. As a result, one side was longer than the other side, and could break at anytime. Dealership replaced the straps 3 times, but the problem recurred.”

   NHTSA complaint #10061672, filed 2004-03, 5,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering wheel jerks or feels loose and stiff

   • 13 complaints (5%)
   • median 39,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2006

   Owners describe the steering wheel jerking or slipping during a slight turn, sometimes pulling the truck into a sharper turn than intended, and in one case worsening until a loss of control. Others report stiff, hard-to-control steering that got worse at higher speeds. Complaints describe dealers being unable to find a cause in some cases, while one owner found a missing bolt in the steering column that resolved the problem once installed. Reported from very low mileage (under 7,000 miles) up to about 100,000 miles, both at low speed in curves and at highway speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Turn the wheel slowly through its full range with the engine running and listen or feel for play, a slip point or stiffness, and ask whether the steering column and pump have been inspected; a service bulletin describes diagnosing and replacing a steering wheel position sensor for reduced steering effort.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The steering wheel on my 1998 Silverado was able to turn without the wheels turning. Taking my truck to a local garage for a cause it was detected that the bolt in the steering column was missing. I had the bolt installed and the problem was solved. I contacted the customer service department of GM and did not receive a reason why did could happen in a car I bought and was the sole owner. I also told them that I believe it to be a safety item and that a notice should be issued to other owners. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10132699, filed 2005-08, 39,000 miles

   “Dt: the contact stated the steering was stiff and difficult to control. When the problem first occurred the service dealer said the steering would become easier to use. The steering proceeded to get worse. While traveling at higher speeds the steering became more difficult. Had the power steering pump disconnected; this did not correct the problem, but made the steering easier. The service dealer has not inspected the vehicle to determine the cause of the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10141633, filed 2005-11, 6,478 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leaks from intake fitting or heater nipple

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe coolant loss and overheating traced to a corroded fitting where the coolant hose meets the intake manifold, and in another case a heater nipple that corroded and broke off. Owners report the parts crumbling or cracking, sometimes with no tools involved, leaving the truck undriveable until repaired. A cracked intake manifold gasket leaking coolant and causing a severe overheat is also described. Mostly reported between about 42,000 and 89,000 miles.

   What to check: Check coolant level and look for crusty residue or dampness around the intake and heater hose fittings, and ask whether the intake gasket or coolant fittings have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1998 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up had what appeared to be radiator leak. After further diagnosis, what was actually the problem was that the fitting in the intake manifold used to connect the coolant hose was made of a different metal than the intake manifold; the part crumbled while trying to fit the coolant hose over the fitting by hand (no tools involved!). I now have a truck in the garage that I cannot drive until it is fixed because the part does not fit due to the corrosion where the dissimilar metals came into contact and corroded. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10098422, filed 2004-11, 80,000 miles

   “Intake manifold gasket was cracked and leaked out all water and severely overheated engine. The mechanic here at work says that he has changed a few hundred of these here at work were we have thousands of chevy trucks that are this same engine.”

   NHTSA complaint #10058386, filed 2004-02, 88,000 miles

Buying note. Check the brakes at low speed and the wipers on a test drive first, since those account for the most owner reports, and look over the steering and coolant fittings. Because complaints frequently mention that similar recalls covered other model years but not this one, ask for service records rather than assuming a recall or campaign applies.

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.