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1998 Chevrolet Silverado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Silverado years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

87 reports with mileage · 192 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports5 fire reports10 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

20 reports
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127,000 miles · Jun 27, 2012
Electrical System

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 DETE…

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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 ODI #10463268

130,000 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES, AN ODOR OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. WHEN THE DRIVER RETURNED TO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. *NM THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO PUT OUT THE…

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DT: WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES, AN ODOR OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. WHEN THE DRIVER RETURNED TO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. *NM THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10120698

57,020 miles · Jul 15, 2005
Electrical System

DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (FAIR WEATHER, CITY DRIVING) MY PICK-UP DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC JUST AFTER COMPLETING A LEFT TURN AND SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND MANAGED TO LET IT COAST INTO A LITTLE USED LEFT TURN LANE. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP (FISHER CHEVROLET, BOULDER, COLORADO…

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DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (FAIR WEATHER, CITY DRIVING) MY PICK-UP DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC JUST AFTER COMPLETING A LEFT TURN AND SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND MANAGED TO LET IT COAST INTO A LITTLE USED LEFT TURN LANE. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP (FISHER CHEVROLET, BOULDER, COLORADO), WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT A WIRING HARNESS WAS ROUTED PAST THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND HAD MELTED AND CAUSED A GROUNDED CRANK SIGNAL. ( MY FATHER ALSO HAS THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL AS I DO, AND HIS PICK-UP HAS A SIMILAR WIRING PATTERN.) THE WIRING AND FUSES WERE REPLACED AND RE-ROUTED, AND THE CRANK SIGNAL CIRCUIT WAS REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #10128842

189,000 miles · Apr 4, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE REAR TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE INDICATOR FAILED WITHOUT. DEALER STATED THAT ELECTRONIC RELAY MALFUNCTIONED. IT ONLY HAPPENED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. *AK CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1998 HAS HAD ON GOING ELECTRICAL AND BRAKING SYSTEM ISSUES SINCE IT WAS NEW. *BF *NM

NHTSA ODI #10109624

2,000 miles · Jan 27, 2004
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TAILLIGHTS, DASH BOARD LIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHTS. THE DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB THE PROBLEM WENT BACK BECAUSE DEALER ONLY PATCHED THE WIRE INSTEAD OF REPLACING THEM. DEALER NOW REMOVED THE DASHBOARD TO WORK ON THE PROBLEM. *…

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THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TAILLIGHTS, DASH BOARD LIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHTS. THE DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB THE PROBLEM WENT BACK BECAUSE DEALER ONLY PATCHED THE WIRE INSTEAD OF REPLACING THEM. DEALER NOW REMOVED THE DASHBOARD TO WORK ON THE PROBLEM. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10055893

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2003
Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSED A FIRE ON DRIVER'S DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. *AK *PH

NHTSA ODI #10029906

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2003
Electrical System

WHEN GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE, THE OCCUPANTS RECEIVED AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10024004

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2002
Electrical SystemFire

1998 SILVERADO EXT. CAB - THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING ALL AFTERNOON OF 10/24 AND ALL NIGHT. FRIDAY MORNING AT ABOUT 6:15 I HEARD A HORN BLOWING. I WENT OUTSIDE TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THE INTERIOR OF MY TRUCK ON FIRE. I HAVE PICTURES (IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM). IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE DASH TO LEFT…

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1998 SILVERADO EXT. CAB - THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING ALL AFTERNOON OF 10/24 AND ALL NIGHT. FRIDAY MORNING AT ABOUT 6:15 I HEARD A HORN BLOWING. I WENT OUTSIDE TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THE INTERIOR OF MY TRUCK ON FIRE. I HAVE PICTURES (IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM). IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE DASH TO LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT SECTION OF THE DASH WAS MELTED BEYOND RECOGNITION. THE WINDSHIELD BLEW IN THE LEFT HAND CORNER AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW ALSO BLEW. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY MELTED AND THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS BURNT TO THE FLOOR. THE REST OF THE INTERIOR BURNED ALSO, BUT THE HEAVIEST BURNING WAS THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. THE TRUCK WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THERE IS NOT DOUBT THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE LEFT DASH NEAR THE FUSE DOOR. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IF THE MELTING PLASTIC ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAD NOT SET THE HORN OFF, WE WOULD HAVE LOST OUR HOME. CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS. I WOULD BE GLAD TO SEND YOU THE PICTURES IF YOU LIKE. DT

NHTSA ODI #768944

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2002
Electrical System

AC DELCO BATTERY LEAKED ACID FROM POSITIVE SIDE-MOUNT TERMINAL, SLIGHTLY CORRODING THE REPLACEMENT BRAKE HOSES UNDER BATTERY AND COULD HAVE CAUSED FAILURE OF ORIGINAL BRAKE HOSES. *TT

NHTSA ODI #786426

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2002
Electrical System

POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL LEAKED ACID ONTO POSITIVE CABLES CAUSING MAIN ECM TO SHORT AND TURN OFF TRUCK WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, FOUND ACID HAD EATEN THROUGH THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING WIRE AND INSULATION CAUSING A POSSIBLE FIRE POTENTIAL IF NOT FOUND

NHTSA ODI #763597

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA05007 · Tailgate Support Cables

Opened Apr 14, 2005 · Closed Apr 11, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch; Structure:body:tailgate ; Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments

GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 805,368 MODEL YEAR 1999 AND 2000 GMT 800 MODEL VEHICLES.THE MODEL YEAR 1999 AND 2000 GMT-800 SERIES VEHICLES THAT WILL BE CAMPAIGNED HAD CONTRIBUTED A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE TOTAL COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (79%) ASSOCIATED WITH THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BREAKAGE IN THE MODEL YEAR 1998 - 2000 C/K SERIES VEHICLES ADDRESSED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 805,368 MODEL YEAR 1999 AND 2000 GMT 800 MODEL VEHICLES.THE MODEL YEAR 1999 AND 2000 GMT-800 SERIES VEHICLES THAT WILL BE CAMPAIGNED HAD CONTRIBUTED A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE TOTAL COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (79%) ASSOCIATED WITH THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BREAKAGE IN THE MODEL YEAR 1998 - 2000 C/K SERIES VEHICLES ADDRESSED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.

Structure:body:tailgate

GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 805,368 MODEL YEAR 1999 AND 2000 GMT 800 MODEL VEHICLES.THE MODEL YEAR 1999 AND 2000 GMT-800 SERIES VEHICLES THAT WILL BE CAMPAIGNED HAD CONTRIBUTED A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE TOTAL COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (79%) ASSOCIATED WITH THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BREAKAGE IN THE MODEL YEAR 1998 - 2000 C/K SERIES VEHICLES ADDRESSED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.

Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments

GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 805,368 MODEL YEAR 1999 AND 2000 GMT 800 MODEL VEHICLES.THE MODEL YEAR 1999 AND 2000 GMT-800 SERIES VEHICLES THAT WILL BE CAMPAIGNED HAD CONTRIBUTED A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE TOTAL COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (79%) ASSOCIATED WITH THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BREAKAGE IN THE MODEL YEAR 1998 - 2000 C/K SERIES VEHICLES ADDRESSED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.

RQ04010 · Tailgate Support Cable Breakage

Opened Sep 28, 2004 · Closed Apr 14, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch; Structure:body:tailgate ; Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments

ODI IS UPGRADING RQ04-010 AND OPENING AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 1998, 1999, AND PARTIAL YEAR 2000 SILVERADOS AND SIERRAS (C/K MODELS).GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-129 TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000 - 2004 SIERRAS AND SILVERADOS.GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODI THAT THE MATERIALS USED FOR THE TAILGATE CABLE SHEATHING INSTALLED IN C/K MODELS HAD INADVERTENTLY CHANGED IN OCTOBER 1999, INCREASING THE PROPENSITY FOR VOIDS IN AND AROUND THE GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE STRANDS WHICH CAN ALLOW MOISTURE TO WICK AMONG THE STRANDS, LEADING TO OXIDATION AND WEAKENING OF THE STRANDS.SINCE ODI INITIATED RQ04-010 IN SEPTEMBER 2004, ODI HAS RECEIVED 10 ADDITONAL NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS ON MY 1998-99 C/K VEHICLES, BUT NO ADDITIONAL INJURY COMPLAINTS.DURING THIS SAME PERIOD, GM HAS RECEIVED 564 NON-INJURY AND 35 INJURY COMPLAINTS. ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 INJURY COMPLAINTS AND 38 NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF MODEL YEAR 2000 C/K VEHICLES AND REQUIRES FURTHER INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF CAMPAIGN 04V-129 OR SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE INJURY SUMMARY FOR RQ04-010.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

ODI IS UPGRADING RQ04-010 AND OPENING AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 1998, 1999, AND PARTIAL YEAR 2000 SILVERADOS AND SIERRAS (C/K MODELS).GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-129 TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000 - 2004 SIERRAS AND SILVERADOS.GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODI THAT THE MATERIALS USED FOR THE TAILGATE CABLE SHEATHING INSTALLED IN C/K MODELS HAD INADVERTENTLY CHANGED IN OCTOBER 1999, INCREASING THE PROPENSITY FOR VOIDS IN AND AROUND THE GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE STRANDS WHICH CAN ALLOW MOISTURE TO WICK AMONG THE STRANDS, LEADING TO OXIDATION AND WEAKENING OF THE STRANDS.SINCE ODI INITIATED RQ04-010 IN SEPTEMBER 2004, ODI HAS RECEIVED 10 ADDITONAL NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS ON MY 1998-99 C/K VEHICLES, BUT NO ADDITIONAL INJURY COMPLAINTS.DURING THIS SAME PERIOD, GM HAS RECEIVED 564 NON-INJURY AND 35 INJURY COMPLAINTS. ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 INJURY COMPLAINTS AND 38 NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF MODEL YEAR 2000 C/K VEHICLES AND REQUIRES FURTHER INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF CAMPAIGN 04V-129 OR SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE INJURY SUMMARY FOR RQ04-010.

Structure:body:tailgate

ODI IS UPGRADING RQ04-010 AND OPENING AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 1998, 1999, AND PARTIAL YEAR 2000 SILVERADOS AND SIERRAS (C/K MODELS).GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-129 TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000 - 2004 SIERRAS AND SILVERADOS.GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODI THAT THE MATERIALS USED FOR THE TAILGATE CABLE SHEATHING INSTALLED IN C/K MODELS HAD INADVERTENTLY CHANGED IN OCTOBER 1999, INCREASING THE PROPENSITY FOR VOIDS IN AND AROUND THE GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE STRANDS WHICH CAN ALLOW MOISTURE TO WICK AMONG THE STRANDS, LEADING TO OXIDATION AND WEAKENING OF THE STRANDS.SINCE ODI INITIATED RQ04-010 IN SEPTEMBER 2004, ODI HAS RECEIVED 10 ADDITONAL NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS ON MY 1998-99 C/K VEHICLES, BUT NO ADDITIONAL INJURY COMPLAINTS.DURING THIS SAME PERIOD, GM HAS RECEIVED 564 NON-INJURY AND 35 INJURY COMPLAINTS. ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 INJURY COMPLAINTS AND 38 NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF MODEL YEAR 2000 C/K VEHICLES AND REQUIRES FURTHER INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF CAMPAIGN 04V-129 OR SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE INJURY SUMMARY FOR RQ04-010.

Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments

ODI IS UPGRADING RQ04-010 AND OPENING AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 1998, 1999, AND PARTIAL YEAR 2000 SILVERADOS AND SIERRAS (C/K MODELS).GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-129 TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000 - 2004 SIERRAS AND SILVERADOS.GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODI THAT THE MATERIALS USED FOR THE TAILGATE CABLE SHEATHING INSTALLED IN C/K MODELS HAD INADVERTENTLY CHANGED IN OCTOBER 1999, INCREASING THE PROPENSITY FOR VOIDS IN AND AROUND THE GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE STRANDS WHICH CAN ALLOW MOISTURE TO WICK AMONG THE STRANDS, LEADING TO OXIDATION AND WEAKENING OF THE STRANDS.SINCE ODI INITIATED RQ04-010 IN SEPTEMBER 2004, ODI HAS RECEIVED 10 ADDITONAL NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS ON MY 1998-99 C/K VEHICLES, BUT NO ADDITIONAL INJURY COMPLAINTS.DURING THIS SAME PERIOD, GM HAS RECEIVED 564 NON-INJURY AND 35 INJURY COMPLAINTS. ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 INJURY COMPLAINTS AND 38 NON-INJURY COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF MODEL YEAR 2000 C/K VEHICLES AND REQUIRES FURTHER INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN VEHICLES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF CAMPAIGN 04V-129 OR SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE INJURY SUMMARY FOR RQ04-010.

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