1998 Chevrolet C/K Pickups Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Chevrolet C/K Pickups, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility3439.5%
- Brakes2427.9%
- Engine910.5%
- Steering89.3%
- Transmission33.5%
- Other / unspecified11.2%
- Seat belts11.2%
- Tires & wheels11.2%
- Exterior lighting11.2%
- Electrical11.2%
- Fuel system11.2%
- Interior & seats11.2%
- Body & structure11.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HATE TO SOUND REPETITIVE ,BUT I ALSO HAVE A 1998 CHEVY SILVERADO 4X4 THAT HAS A WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEM. I ALSO THINK THAT GM SHOULD STEP-UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN IT HAPPENS TO SO MANY OF THE SAME VEHICLES I FEEL AS THOUGH IT'S A FACTORY DEFECT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A LONG TIME. THE TRUCK DOESN'T HAVE BUT 61,000 MILES ON IT. I CONFRONTED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY WOULDN'T HELP ME OUT. THAT'S WHY I HAVE A TOYOTA ,THAT'S MADE IN THE USA, SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. GOD BLESS THE USA !!! *TR
1 WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMENTENT. 2 VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN. 3 REMOVED AND REPLACED WIPPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. *CN
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE FAILURE ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DUE TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURES...ONCE 6' BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER AND 8 MONTHS LATER ON A LINE TO A REAR BRAKE. BOTH TIMES LOST THE PEDAL. MY TRUCK IS A 1998 CK 1500 WITH VIRTUALLY NO BODY ROT. I WAS SURPRISED THAT #1 THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF PEDAL AND #2 A SECOND PERFORATION OCCURRED SO SOON. I WILL FILL OUT THE FORM FOR INCIDENT #1 ( JULY 2009) THE OTHER RUPTURE WAS 23 MAR 2010. *TR
MY 1998 CHEVY SILVERADO PICKUP TRUCK HAD A BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE RUSTING OUT BECAUSE THE DESIGN HAS THE BRAKE LINE LAYING ON TOP OF A STEEL GUARD UNDER THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK WHERE SNOW GATHERS RATHER EASILY AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO INSPECT THE LINE THERE. I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY DUE TO THE LINE RUPTURING WITHOUT ANY PRIOR NOTICE OF LEAKING WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE LINE. THEY DISCOVERED WHERE THE RUPTURE WAS AND SAID IT IS A POOR DESIGN OF GM TO PLACE A LINE WHERE IT CAN RUST OUT SO EASILY WITHOUT BEING DETECTED. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRUCK STALLS WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING FOR NO REASON. STEERING HAS SUDDEN FAST JERK TO RIGHT THEN WE HAVE TO OVER CORRECT TO LEFT, HAZARD LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF NOW THEY ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. WIPER FLUID MOTOR DOESN'T WORK, GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK IT JUST VIBRATES REALLY FAST. THERE ARE WIRES IN DASH THAT HAVE BURN MARKS AND OTHER COMPONENTS ARE MELTED. ITS AMAZING THAT THIS TRUCK EVEN RUNS! WE HAVE SPENT 1200 ON THIS PILE AND STILL HAVEN'T EVEN FIXED ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. *JB
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING COOLANT. *NM
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING GAVE A QUICK LOCK UP AND LOST POWER STEERING TOOK PUMP OFF AND PULLEY AND SHAFT FELL OUT OF PUMP. *TR
STEERING: I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEN TURNING RIGHT DURING A LONG TURN, IT FEELS LIKE I HIT A PATCH OF ICE OR LIKE SOMEONE GRAB HE STEERING WHEEL & JERK IT TO THE RIGHT. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT SEEM TO BE GETTING WORST BUT I DO NOT LIKE THE FEEL. SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK COULD OVER STEER. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRUCK STALLS WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING FOR NO REASON. STEERING HAS SUDDEN FAST JERK TO RIGHT THEN WE HAVE TO OVER CORRECT TO LEFT, HAZARD LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF NOW THEY ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. WIPER FLUID MOTOR DOESN'T WORK, GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK IT JUST VIBRATES REALLY FAST. THERE ARE WIRES IN DASH THAT HAVE BURN MARKS AND OTHER COMPONENTS ARE MELTED. ITS AMAZING THAT THIS TRUCK EVEN RUNS! WE HAVE SPENT 1200 ON THIS PILE AND STILL HAVEN'T EVEN FIXED ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. *JB
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILAGE JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS RPLECED WITH A GM REPLACEMENT THEY INCLUDED UPDATED APRTS BUT IT WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL AND IT WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VERY SLOOPY BUT I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL, THEN IT EVENTUALY FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60-70MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES, BRAKES WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, MAKING IT HARD TO STOP. AT TIMES DOES NOT STOP AT ALL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER DID NOT FIX CAR.*AK TWO STUDS WERE REPLACED. PCM WAS UPDATED TO CORRECT THE ENGINE SUGE UNDER LOAD. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT COMES UNLATCHED EVEN AFTER HAVING IT CLICK IN PLACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE PURCHASING THE TRUCK. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE 4 BRIDGESTONE TIRES, DUELER AT 693, LT 285/75/16, ON MY VEHICLE. LAST WEEK ONE OF THEM BECAME SEVERELY DEFECTIVE AND HAD SOME SORT OF SEPARATION INSIDE IT. I SEE THAT THESE TIRES WERE SUBJECT TO A VOLUNTARY SAFETY CAMPAIGN, # 04T018000 THAT HAS APPARENTLY EXPIRED. I WAS CERTAINLY NEVER AWARE OF THIS CAMPAIGN OR I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RISKING MY FAMILIES SAFETY WITH THESE TIRES WITHOUT HAVING THEM CHECKED. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 YEARS AND APPARENTLY PURCHASED THEM NEAR OR AROUND THE CAMPAIGN DATES. MY QUESTION IS, DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE IN THIS MATTER. I NOW HAVE ONE VERY DEFECTIVE TIRE, AND THREE MORE WITH AMPLE TREAD BUT ARE NOT APPARENTLY SAFE TO DRIVE MY FAMILY AROUND ON. I DON'T BELIEVE BRIDGESTONE DID A VERY GOOD JOB NOTIFYING THE CONSUMERS OF THIS CAMPAIGN. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRUCK STALLS WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING FOR NO REASON. STEERING HAS SUDDEN FAST JERK TO RIGHT THEN WE HAVE TO OVER CORRECT TO LEFT, HAZARD LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF NOW THEY ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. WIPER FLUID MOTOR DOESN'T WORK, GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK IT JUST VIBRATES REALLY FAST. THERE ARE WIRES IN DASH THAT HAVE BURN MARKS AND OTHER COMPONENTS ARE MELTED. ITS AMAZING THAT THIS TRUCK EVEN RUNS! WE HAVE SPENT 1200 ON THIS PILE AND STILL HAVEN'T EVEN FIXED ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRUCK STALLS WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING FOR NO REASON. STEERING HAS SUDDEN FAST JERK TO RIGHT THEN WE HAVE TO OVER CORRECT TO LEFT, HAZARD LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF NOW THEY ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. WIPER FLUID MOTOR DOESN'T WORK, GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK IT JUST VIBRATES REALLY FAST. THERE ARE WIRES IN DASH THAT HAVE BURN MARKS AND OTHER COMPONENTS ARE MELTED. ITS AMAZING THAT THIS TRUCK EVEN RUNS! WE HAVE SPENT 1200 ON THIS PILE AND STILL HAVEN'T EVEN FIXED ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRUCK STALLS WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING FOR NO REASON. STEERING HAS SUDDEN FAST JERK TO RIGHT THEN WE HAVE TO OVER CORRECT TO LEFT, HAZARD LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF NOW THEY ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. WIPER FLUID MOTOR DOESN'T WORK, GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK IT JUST VIBRATES REALLY FAST. THERE ARE WIRES IN DASH THAT HAVE BURN MARKS AND OTHER COMPONENTS ARE MELTED. ITS AMAZING THAT THIS TRUCK EVEN RUNS! WE HAVE SPENT 1200 ON THIS PILE AND STILL HAVEN'T EVEN FIXED ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAILGATE CABLES BROKE WHILE LOADING FURNITURE ONTO TRUCK. DAMAGED TRUCK BED AND INJURED TWO FAMILY MEMBERS FROM THE CABLES BREAKING UPON LOADING FURNITURE INTO BED OF FAIRLY NEW TRUCK WITH ONLY 30 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. (29,995) . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAILGATE CABLES BROKE WHILE LOADING FURNITURE ONTO TRUCK. DAMAGED TRUCK BED AND INJURED TWO FAMILY MEMBERS FROM THE CABLES BREAKING UPON LOADING FURNITURE INTO BED OF FAIRLY NEW TRUCK WITH ONLY 30 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. (29,995) . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .