1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

▲ Better than typical
1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1994: 10 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 7 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 361 complaints 1998 1999: 587 complaints 1999 2000: 611 complaints 2001: 468 complaints 2002: 509 complaints 2003: 805 complaints 2004: 797 complaints 2004 2005: 525 complaints 2006: 357 complaints 2007: 849 complaints 2008: 912 complaints 2009: 444 complaints 2009 2010: 360 complaints 2011: 562 complaints 2012: 214 complaints 2013: 300 complaints 2014: 1429 complaints 2014 2015: 1091 complaints 2016: 787 complaints 2017: 706 complaints 2018: 507 complaints 2019: 1033 complaints 2019 2020: 686 complaints 2021: 757 complaints 2022: 569 complaints 2023: 344 complaints 2024: 276 complaints 2024 2025: 80 complaints 2026: 52 complaints 2026
1998: 361 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199410
19953
19967
1997555
1998361
1999587
2000611
2001468
2002509
2003805
2004797
2005525
2006357
2007849
2008912
2009444
2010360
2011562
2012214
2013300
20141429
20151091
2016787
2017706
2018507
20191033
2020686
2021757
2022569
2023344
2024276
202580
202652

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 19%

19% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 67 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO START TO GO INTO THE ANTI-LOCK MODE ON DRY PAVEMENT AT SLOW SPEEDS. THIS STARTED ON ITS OWN LAST JANUARY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20051013

VISIBILITY 7%

7% of complaints: visibility — 24 distinct reports on file.

VISIBILITY 6%

6% of complaints: visibility — 21 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 5%

5% of complaints: steering — 18 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 17 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THIS VEHICL CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED AFTER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS; HYDRAULIC FLUID SUSPECTED AS SOURCE OF FIRE; NO ONE PRESENT AT TIME OF FIRE, THE OWNER HAVING GONE FOR HELP AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE MOTOR AND PARKING THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990201

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURE

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071108 — equipment

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. TH

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

Campaign 07E088000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (67 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E088000 (equipment) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2026 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2012

WORST YEARS

■ 2014 ◆ 2015 ◆ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.