1998 Chevrolet Van Problems
- Complaints
- 16filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 120,250miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 15 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 13 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Chevrolet Van (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Van. The part named most often is equipment, with 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and electrical system (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 120,250 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Equipment complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Equipment4 25%
- Brakes2 13%
- Electrical system2 13%
- Air bags1 6.3%
- Engine cooling1 6.3%
- Seat belts1 6.3%
- Seats1 6.3%
- Tires1 6.3%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Equipment: “I have a recall about brake line hose ,but last november my brake line hose was cut with the wheel I call GM motor about this problem. If can get refund or change wheel size I try to replace wheels to expense I think GM need to replace for free to next size due to close to the wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #10222699, filed 2008-03Electrical system: “I bought a 1998 Chevrolet astro VAN from mark christopher Chevrolet on 07/08/99, and the battery leaked out spilling acid on the left apron, the dealer said they would try and nuetralize the acid and spray undercoat on the affected areas. This is not how the vehicle is. The left apron is painted the same color as the VAN and I refused to let them spray black undercoating on the damaged part. Im a collision repair specialist and this is not how to repair a battery acid spill. The affected area is now eating away the welds and the sheet metal. …”
NHTSA complaint #733488, filed 2000-10Transmission and drivetrain: “This vehicle was bought new from trabucco Chevrolet. This is the second time, that the left rear axle came off the truck. The first time this happened I contacted trabucco. They stated too many miles were on the truck, and they couldn't do anything for me because the vehicle was being used as commercial delivery VAN.”
NHTSA complaint #754670, filed 2001-11Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 49,000 and 191,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 Chevrolet Van version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van 1500/2500 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Van 1500/2500 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Van 1500/2500 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Chevrolet Van in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10232287Feb 21, 2023Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10082506Aug 26, 2016Equipment. This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in…
- 10248444Jun 30, 2014Equipment. Vehicle Recalls
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Other model years of the Chevrolet Van
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 11 | 73,000 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 14 | 55,340 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 22 | 51,484 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 15 | 73,000 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 16 | 120,250 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 27 | 127,250 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 28 | 133,140 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 20 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 11 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 19 | 156,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 8 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet Van have?
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Van as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Chevrolet Van is reported most often?
Equipment is named most often, in 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 1998 Chevrolet Van been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Chevrolet Van get?
The EPA rates the 1998 Chevrolet Van (Van 1500/2500 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Van reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 120,250 miles and the middle half falls between 49,000 and 191,500 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.