CarModelProblems.com

1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 4.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
361Complaints
2Recalls
15Crashes
11Fires
6Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (18.6% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 4.2× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip67 · 18.6%No official action
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer24 · 6.6%No official action
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor21 · 5.8%No official action
Steering18 · 5%No official action
Power Train:automatic Transmission17 · 4.7%No official action
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System15 · 4.2%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STEERING18 · 5%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION17 · 4.7%
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM15 · 4.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS13 · 3.6%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER11 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC10 · 2.8%
SERVICE BRAKES10 · 2.8%

Percentages are the share of the 361 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 07E088000 · 2007 · reported 10/24/2007

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E043000 · 2006 · reported 05/19/2006

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING WOUD STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL AND COULD HEARD AIR COMING FROM THE BRAKES. PROBLEM HAD BEEN WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER .”NHTSA complaint 865801 — filed 07/20/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“THERE IS NO DIRECT CABLE TO THE CARBURETOR SYSTEM. ALSO, WITHOUT THE COMPUTER INPUT PEDAL DOESN'T RELEASE UINTIL CONSUMER TURNS VEHICLE OFF. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE…”NHTSA complaint 861072 — filed 04/27/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“BRAKING POWER IS INSUFFICIENT, RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE ROTOR WEAR, AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO; WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED REAR WHEELS LOCK UP, CAUSING THE…”NHTSA complaint 856954 — filed 02/15/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

232003374920052611200761220104620124102014712016112021

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 67 of 361 NHTSA complaints (18.6%), followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer (24), visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (21), steering (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?

361 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07E088000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's reported problems?

0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.