RoadVitals

1998 Chevrolet Pickup

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.
74
Latest Dec 2, 2010
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.
1
Latest Aug 11, 2008
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.
8
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 74 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Pickup, most frequently naming the brakes, visibility and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 5 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

  • Brakes2327.7%
  • Visibility1518.1%
  • Electrical78.4%
  • Tires & wheels78.4%
  • Fuel system78.4%
  • Powertrain (other)56.0%
  • Exterior lighting44.8%
  • Transmission44.8%

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

1 campaign 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
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 74
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 2, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET PICK-UP. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE STILL IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY THEY COULD PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

NHTSA ID
10368648
Incident
Dec 2, 2010
Mileage
166,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 5, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET PICK UP. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH AND COMING TO A SLOW STOP, THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MOSTLY OCCURS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY CHANGED THE ENTIRE BRAKES AND LINES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ID
10253795
Incident
Jan 4, 2009
Mileage
113,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 2, 2008

I BOUGHT 4 AFTER MARKET CUSTOM WHEELS FOR MY 1998 CHEVROLET 4WHEEL DRIVE P/U TRUCK FROM AMERICAN RACING PRODUCTS, IN 2003, 2 HAVE CRACKED, AND NOW THEY ARE WILLING TO PUT A CHEAPER SET OF WHEELS ON MY TRUCK, NOT TO MY LIKING, I'VE ASKED FOR BETTER DESIGNED WHEEL, ALMOST THE SAME PRICE AND THE WANT ME TO PAY OVER $300.00 DIFFERENCE THAT IS NOT I FEEL FAIR TO ME. I AM GLAD THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT,YET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10223194
Incident
Mar 25, 2008
Electrical
Filed Mar 16, 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT AC DELCO BATTERY MODEL # 78-6YR FOR THE 1998 CHEVROLET PICKUP WITH 30,000 FAILURE MILEAGE LEAKS ACID. CERTAIN AC DELCO BATTERIES MANUFACTURED IN 2000 AND 2001 WITH SIDE POSTS TERMINAL HAD THE POTENTIAL TO LEAK ACID THROUGH THE TERMINALS. THIS FAILURE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CORRODE FRAMES, SHEET METAL, BRAKE LINES, BATTERY LEADS AND FUEL LINES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.*AK UPDATE *4/23/07TR

NHTSA ID
10185291
Incident
Mar 8, 2007
Mileage
30,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 9, 2004

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO STOP. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED. *JB...*AK

NHTSA ID
10103423
Incident
Dec 5, 2004
Body & structure
Filed Dec 1, 2004

LIFTGATE CABLES BROKE TWICE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS BOTH TIMES , BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10101945
Incident
Sep 6, 2004
Visibility
Filed Oct 12, 2004

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE DRIVER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED PROBABLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10096648
Incident
Oct 4, 2004
Visibility
Filed Oct 12, 2004

WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER HAD TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO LIFT THE HOOD AND HIT THE WIPER MOTOR OR MOVE THE WIPER TO MAKE THEM WORK. . PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10096612
Incident
May 1, 2004
Mileage
141,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

PIT3227J

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE; STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.

PIT3665C

SERVICE BRAKES; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.

020090002

POWER TRAIN

SUBJECT REGARDING LUBRICATION OF PROPELLER SHAFT DOUBLE CARDAN CV TYPE U-JOINT CENTERING BALL AND SEAT.*NLM

868307

THE SCREW THAT SECURES THE LEFT AND CENTER INSULATOR PANELS TOGETHER, UNDERNEATH THE I/P ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE MAY PULL THE ONE PUSH/INSERT NUT OUT OF THE CENTER INSULATOR PANEL CAUSING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL(I/P) INSULATOR PANEL TO RATTLE. YD

3389

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE INOPERATIVE AND THE 4WD SERVICE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. DIAGNOSIS MAY REVEAL THAT THE ATC FUSE COULD BE OPEN, POSSIBLE DTC C0308, OR VARIOUS U CODES MAY BE SET. THE ENCODER MOTOR MAY ALSO BE SHORTED OR THE TCCM MAY BE DAMAGED. *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 Pickup by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003100232.2
2002170136.5
2001170145.5
2000320141.5
1999390031.2
1998Viewing741042.1
1997751043.6
1996601249.6
1995791040.6
1994581351.3
1992130345.5
1991160345.6
1990110034.7
1982100—
1979000—
1978100—
1977000—
1976000—
1975100—
1974000—
1973200—
1972300—

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.