1998 Chevrolet Silverado Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 7%of 279 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 127,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado, 7% of the 279 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 127,000 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“During normal driving conditions (fair weather, city driving) my pick-up died in the middle of traffic just after completing a left turn and shifting into second gear. I was in the left lane and managed to let it coast into a little used left turn lane. I had it towed to my local dealership (fisher Chevrolet, boulder, colorado), where they informed me that a wiring harness was routed past the exhaust manifold and had melted and caused a grounded crank signal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10128842, filed 2005-07, 57,020 miles“Dt: while driving on the road after about 5 minutes, an odor of smoke came from under the hood. The consumer stopped on the side of the road, looked under the hood and everything seemed fine. When the driver returned to the cab of the vehicle, it was filled with smoke. The fire dept was called to the scene to put out the fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10120698, filed 2005-08, 130,000 miles“The vehicle had problems with the taillights, dash board lights and the headlights. The dealer indicated there was an electrical problem. Please provide further information. The problem went back because dealer only patched the wire instead of replacing them. Dealer now removed the dashboard to work on the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10055893, filed 2004-01, 2,000 miles“The rear turn signal and brake indicator failed without. Dealer stated that electronic relay malfunctioned. It only happened during the winter months. Chevrolet Silverado 1998 has had on going electrical and braking system issues since it was new.”
NHTSA complaint #10109624, filed 2005-04, 189,000 miles“My truck just started starting bad, it used to turn over easy, now I have to turn the key with more pressure than before. It starts but, with the A/C and radio on the truck wil stall while driving. Nothing has happened leading up to this, just out of the blue.”
NHTSA complaint #742770, filed 2001-03Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 10 | 8% |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% |
| 2015 | 9 | 12% |
| 2014 | 20 | 16% |
| 2013 | 6 | 9% |
| 2012 | 4 | 6% |
| 2011 | 5 | 7% |
| 2010 | 8 | 13% |
| 2009 | 17 | 22% |
| 2008 | 48 | 30% |
| 2007 | 38 | 21% |
| 2006 | 14 | 8% |
| 2005 | 64 | 20% |
| 2004 | 159 | 26% |
| 2003 | 116 | 17% |
| 2002 | 25 | 4% |
| 2001 | 30 | 3% |
| 2000 | 38 | 3% |
| 1999 | 51 | 3% |
| 1998 | 20 | 7% |
| 1997 | 16 | 6% |
| 1996 | 4 | 2% |
| 1995 | 8 | 3% |
| 1994 | 12 | 6% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 1 | 6% |
| 1990 | 2 | 8% |
| 1989 | 1 | 5% |
| 1988 | 3 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado
89 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
45 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsTires
16 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsSeats
13 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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