1998 Chevrolet C Series 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 Series, 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
- Brakes738.9%
- Steering316.7%
- Suspension316.7%
- Body & structure211.1%
- Seat belts15.6%
- Powertrain (other)15.6%
- Visibility15.6%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, HEAVY VIBRATION WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. FATHER INLAW HAD SAME PROBLEM ON HIS 1998 CHEVY TRUCK. WAS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SHEYENNE. WHILE DRIVING AROUND 7 MPH DURING NORMAL BRAKING, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS OCCURS ON ALL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP; THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN TURNING LEFT THE POWER STEERING SLIPPED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY BUT OCCURS LESS OFTEN WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. *NM
AT 35-50MPH OR FASTER STEERING HAS SLIPS AT ABOUT 1/4 TURN LEFT AND RIGHT, MORE OFTEN TO LEFT, MAKING TRUCK MOVE SHARPLY TO DIRECTION OF TURN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
BALL JOINT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS WEARING OUT, AND IS ABOUT TO BREAK. DEALERSHIP IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
I WAS CRUSING ALONG ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN FEELING ROUGH. IT QUICKLY SLOWED DOWN BUT WAS HARD TO CONTROL.*AK (TIRESIZE: P265-75R16)
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
THE LEFT TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAP SNAPPED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING OFF THE ROAD VEHICLE WAS HAD DAMAGE NEAR THE FUEL TANK, AND CONSUMER HAD A CONCERN IN CASE OF A FIRE. *AK
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
A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASE CONSUMER NOTICED LEFT AND RIGHT REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT, VEHICLE AT CHEVROLET DEALER AT THIS TIME TO INSTALL NEW BELTS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
4 AXLE SEALS REPLACED SINCE LIFE OF VEHICLE. REPLACED BOTH SEALS ON 06/07/00 AT 34,424 MILES. REPLACED RIGHT REAR SEAL ON 01/09/01 AT 38,598 MILES. PRESENTLY THE RIGHT REAR SEAL FAILED AGAIN SATURATED BRAKES WITH DIFFERENTIAL FLUID RENDERING THEM INOPERABLE. TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIPER MOTOR WORKS SPORATICALLY- WAS A CRACKED SOLDER JOINT- WAS TOLD NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL BECAUSE OF YEAR-1998, BUT SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR CHEVY......
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 .