RoadVitals

1998 Chevrolet C6500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Mar 4, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Sep 7, 2000
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1998 Chevrolet C6500, most frequently naming the steering category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 16 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
00V232008

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

Sep 7, 2000
30,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES, MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND TRACTORS BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU), THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00076/00078View on NHTSA.gov
98V073000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

Apr 8, 1998
1,590 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AIR BRAKES AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS. CHAFFING OF THE ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROL HARNESS CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL GROUNDING CONDITION. THIS WILL ILLUMINATE A WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SHUT OFF THE ABS FEATURE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE FRONT BRAKES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HARNESS FOR CHAFFING AND PROPER ROUTING AND WILL REPAIR IF NECESSARY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Mar 4, 2003

THE STEERING BOX MALFUNCTIONED. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10009821
Incident
Dec 21, 2002

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Recalls

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Vehicle Recalls

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

020729005

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

SUBJECT REGARDING VIBRATION OR TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT DAMAGE / OIL SEAL LEAK ON CONVENTIONAL CAB MEDIUM DUTY MODELS. *TT

000601013A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE RELEASE OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD / TURBOCHARGER HEAT SHIELD. *TT

010603003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

SOME DRIVERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE GENERATOR UPPER MOUNTING BOLT IS BREAKING ON CERTAIN CONVENTIONAL MEDIUM DUTY MODELS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet C6500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000—
2008000—
2007310—
2006200—
2005000—
2004000—
2003000—
2002010—
2001020—
2000030—
1999140—
1998Viewing120—
1997000—
1974010—
1973010—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.