1998 Chevrolet Silverado problems
Owners have filed 335 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 29.9% of them — the clear leader, ahead of visibility at 13.4%.
Complaints335
Crashes19
Fires6
Injuries17
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 29.9% · 100
Visibility 13.4% · 45
Steering 6.9% · 23
Electrical system 6.6% · 22
Power train 5.1% · 17
Tires 4.8% · 16
Engine and engine cooling 4.8% · 16
Seats 3.9% · 13
Severity
Of those complaints, 19 describe a crash, 6 describe a fire, 17 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the Chevrolet Silverado in this data, 1998 sits 9th by complaint volume. 1999 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 9 in the last three years against 3 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 73,500 miles.
In owners' own words
Dt: 1998 Chevrolet sk pickup truck. When going at low speeds the brakes failed. Took vehicle to local mechanic, and had brake line replaced. Also replaced, the front rotors and the pads. The problem started after the work was done. Called general motors. Took down the information and made a file claim number. Just about every time the vehicle was going below 10 mph the brakes failed . Service brakes, hydraulic
: The contact stated while attempting to apply brake pressure at 20 mph the antilock brakes engaged causing an increase in stopping distance. This occurred on normal roads during normal braking without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. Upon inspection, they replaced the hub and sensor which did not correct the problem. The manufacturer was alerted. Service brakes, hydraulic · reported at 38,000 miles
Consumer called on behalf of the owner who was killed in the vehicle. Owner was traveling at about 50 mph in good weather conditions when vehicle went over the rumble strips in the road. Started to pump the brakes, and realized there were none. Vehicle went through a stop sign, was hit from the side, and flipped into a ditch. Owner was killed from the impact. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…