1998 Chevrolet Silverado Owner Complaints

VEHICLE LEFT ROADWAY AND WENT INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN THE DRIVERS DEATH. *JS

NHTSA ID

10608707

Incident

Oct 12, 2008

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. ONE YEAR AGO WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD, BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND RESPOND AS IF IT WERE A STANDARD VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY; HOWEVER, MORE RECENTLY IT BEGAN TO OCCUR EVERY TIME HE DROVE THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND WAS WITHIN ONE INCH OF A CRASH FORCING THE CONTACT TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION/CCC SOLENOID DOES NOT DISENGAGE WHILE RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE ILLUMINATED. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT OFFER OR PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT REPLACED EVERY COMPONENT IN THE TRANSMISSION IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. HE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK. THE CONTACT ADDED AN ON/OFF SWITCH THAT CONTROLLED THE TCC SOLENOID. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10577236

Incident

Apr 1, 2013

Mileage

130,000 mi

I ALMOST HIT A PERSON CROSSING THE STREET, I WAS COMING TO A SLOW STOP, THE BRAKES STARTED MAKING A BOING BOING NOISE, EVERYTIME IT MADE THE NOISE THE BRAKES STOPPING POWER WENT AWAY THE PERSON CROSSING THE STREET REALISED THE TRUCK WAS HAVING PROBLEMS... I"VE HAD 3 OF THIS MODEL TRUCK MY FIRST WAS A 97 TAHOE BAD BREAKS I ACTUALLY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH THAT TRUCK REAR ENDED HONDA CIVIC, MY OTHER ONE WAS A 94 SILVERADO I HAD TO BRAKE HARD ONCE THE BREAKS GAVE WAY N THE PEDAL WAS SOFT AFTER THAT. MY NEW ONE, THE ONE I'M ACTUALLY COMPLANING ABOUT IS A 98 SILVERADO 3500 WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES THIS IS A POOR DESIGN BY GM MOTORS THIS HAS TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. I DO KNOW SOMEONE WHO CRASHED HIS 2 DOOR BLAZER INTO A WATER TANKER HE BRAKE HARD N THE BRAKES GAVE OUT 88-98 GM TRUCKS AND SUV'S HAVE DEEEEEEEFECTIVE BRAKES 3/3 I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS IS NOT RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10547777

Incident

Oct 12, 2013

GOT IN LEANED BACK AND ENDED UP LAYING INTO THE BACK SEAT AREA. NOW SEAT-BACK WON'T LATCH IN ANY POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10508165

Incident

Apr 13, 2013

Mileage

185,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES THE MECHANIC NOTICED CORROSION AND CRACKS ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA ID

10482309

Incident

Oct 26, 2012

Mileage

158,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DISCOVERER H/T TIRES, TIRE SIZE 235/75/15. THE DOT NUMBER WAS 3DHLC5U0607. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY ACROSS THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND THE STEEL WAS VISIBLE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO FOUR DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ID

10466647

Incident

Jul 10, 2012

Mileage

144,000 mi

RETURNING FROM DELIVERIES, BACKING INTO DRIVE TO RELOAD, STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. NO STEERING AT ALL. YOU CAN SPIN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION WITH NO RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10465609

Incident

Jul 11, 2012

Mileage

179,420 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE FAILURE FOUND WAS RELATED TO THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID

10463268

Incident

May 10, 2012

Mileage

127,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUNNING LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO DEACTIVATE THE LIGHTS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED DISPLEASURE WITH THE FEATURE AND FELT THAT IT AFFECTED HIS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10452426

Incident

Mar 20, 2009

Mileage

150,000 mi

THE BRAKES ON THIS TRUCK ARE SPONGY AND DO NOT STOP THE VEHICLE WELL AT ALL. NO REPAIRS DONE SEEM TO HELP IMPROVE THE STOPPING DISTANCE. WORST BRAKE I HAVE EVER SEEN ON A VEHICLE. DEFINITELY NOT NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10427127

Incident

Sep 24, 2008

Mileage

106,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO, WHILE USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED AND A BUZZING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. AFTER THE BUZZING SOUND HAD STOPPED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAD BEGAN TO WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBE CENTRAL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 225,000 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89000. BL UPDATED 10/20/09 *CN UPDATED 10/22/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10281801

Incident

Jun 14, 2006

Mileage

89,000 mi

THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. IT NEEDS A NEW MOTOR.*CN

NHTSA ID

10213397

Incident

Dec 31, 2007

Mileage

61,850 mi

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO PICKUP DON'T WORK ALL THE TIME. THE WIPER MOTOR APPEARS TO BE THE SAME AS THE 1997 CHEVROLET PICKUP FOR WHICH A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10167751

Incident

Aug 1, 2006

HAVE 1998 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 SHORT-BED V-6 PICKUP WITH ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS. HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THERE IS A HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM. THE MAKER IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT ONLY RECALLED 1999 AND LATER MODELS. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY DECIDED THAT ONE, BUT I DO KNOW IT HAS TO DO WITH MONEY! IN DECEMBER OF 2005, I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE TRUCK BRAKES FAILING WITH THE ANTI-LOCK PULSING ON AND I HAD NO BRAKING TIME AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MANY GMC TRUCK OWNERS. IT'S THE REASON I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER GMC PRODUCT! IF A MANUFACTURER HAS KNOWLEDGE OF A DEFECT AND DOES NOTHING, IT IS WRONG! AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE ABS SYSTEM KICKS ON AND MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP ON TIME. TOOK IT TO A DEALER WHO RAN THE VIN AND SAID MY TRUCK WAS NOT COVERED. IT IS NOT RIGHT! A MAKER WHO KNOWS OF A DEFECT SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE GOOD ON ITS REPAIR TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10166397

Incident

Dec 13, 2005

Mileage

97,600 mi

RE: RECALL # 05V379000 FOR 1999 THROUGH 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO PICK UP TRUCKS. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT I HAVE A 1998 SILVERADO CHEVY TRUCK AND I EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM "(UNWANTED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION)" IN JAN. 2005 FIVE (5) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE RECALL. I WAS CHARGED $653.94 TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE . I HAVE TRIED TO RECEIVE SOME SATISFACTION FROM GM WITH NO RESULTS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 20340 MILES ON IT AT THAT TIME. I BELIEVE THE 1998 SILVERADO TRUCKS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10161877

Incident

Jan 15, 2005

Mileage

20,340 mi

1998 SILVERADO HAD ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSOR REPLACED. *TS THE FRONT WHEEL BRAKE SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON 10/4/2005. ON 12/25/2005 THE CONSUMER READ AN ARTICLE WHICH STATED THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAD EXPANDED IT'S RECALL ON THE ANTILOCK BRAKES TO INCLUDE WISCONSIN AND THAT CONSUMER'S WOULD RECEIVE NOTICE BY 2/1/2006. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT GM HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THE CONSUMER THEN CALLED GM WHO ALSO STATED THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL. *NM

NHTSA ID

10155205

Incident

Oct 4, 2005

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

10153204

Incident

Jul 1, 2005

Mileage

70,000 mi

1998 CHEVY. SILVERADO P/U TRUCK. WIPERS BEGAN STOPPING IN JULY 2005. HAVE TO STOP IN DRIVING RAIN TO MOVE WIRES AT CONTROL/MOTOR OUTSIDE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, NO PLACE TO STOP. SAFETY OF SELF AND FAMILY IN EXTREME DANGER. WEB IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS YET NO RECALL, OR IS THERE? PLEASE ADVISE ASAP. I AM TIRED OF JEOPARDIZING MY LIFE AND THAT OF MY FAMILY DUE TO GM FAILURE TO NOTIFY ME AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS OF THIS PROBLEM AND PROPER WAY TO REPAIR. DOES NOT OCCUR JUST ONCE, BUT ALMOST EVERY TIME WIPERS ARE REQUIRED. NEXT QUESTION ABOUT INCIDENT DATE IS MISLEADING-DOES NOT OCCUR JUST ONCE, BUT MANY TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10153196

Incident

Jul 1, 2005

Mileage

70,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE LOWERING THE TAILGATE, IT WAS NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE TAILGATE CABLE WAS BROKEN. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V066000, REGARDING THE TAILGATE CABLES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID

10152938

Incident

Mar 17, 2006

Mileage

70,000 mi

MY DAUGHTER USED MY VEHICLE LAST YEAR. SHE OPENED THE TAILGATE TO PUT A BAG OF CLOTHES IN THE BED OF MY 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO CLOSE THE TAILGATE THE LATCHES WOULD NOT ENGAGE TO KEEP THE TAILGATE CLOSED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT CLOSING THE TAILGATE IT FINALLY ENGAGED AND STAYED CLOSED. AS SHE BEGAN DRIVING THE LATCHES AGAIN RELEASED AND THE TAILGATE FELL OPEN. BOTH SUPPORT CABLES BROKE AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 06V066000 FOR 1999 AND 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADOS AND THE TAILGATE FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE SUPPORT CABLES BUT THE LATCHES STILL DO NOT HOLD AND THE TAILGATE CONTINUES TO FALL OPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS. JUST TODAY 3/11/05 THE TAILGATE FELL OPEN 5 TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10152491

Incident

Jul 9, 2005

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A SLIGHT TURN IN A CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED MAKING A SHARPER TURN. THIS BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER 2005 AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM. THIS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, DOWN A MOUNTAIN, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A ROCK WALL AND THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD, WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. ALTHOUGH, THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10152085

Incident

Mar 7, 2006

Mileage

100,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT 20 MPH THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ENGAGED CAUSING AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS OCCURRED ON NORMAL ROADS DURING NORMAL BRAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THEY REPLACED THE HUB AND SENSOR WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ID

10150736

Incident

Sep 1, 2001

Mileage

38,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS ENGAGED WHILE STOPPING AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH OR LESS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER.

NHTSA ID

10150246

Incident

Feb 14, 2006

Mileage

99,000 mi

THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATES AT LOW SPEED WHEN IT SHOULDN'T. SIMILAR TO RECALL 05V379. A FRONT HUB MUST BE REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10150796

Incident

Feb 8, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT LOW SPEEDS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STOP. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY ON DRY ROADS DURING NORMAL BRAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT ALERTED. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A SERPENTINE BELT. UPDATED 03/09/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10149894

Incident

Jan 1, 2006

Mileage

76,850 mi