IllustrationRETURNING 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
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silverado years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
1225–50K
2550–75K
1975–100K
18100–150K
7150K+
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
Steering complaints
21 reportsDT*: 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 WAL…
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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
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WAS STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED THE SERVICE DEALER SAID THE STEERING WOULD BECOME EASIER TO USE. THE STEERING PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE STEERING BECAME MORE DIFFICULT. HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP DISCONNECTED; THIS…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WAS STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED THE SERVICE DEALER SAID THE STEERING WOULD BECOME EASIER TO USE. THE STEERING PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE STEERING BECAME MORE DIFFICULT. HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP DISCONNECTED; THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT MADE THE STEERING EASIER. THE SERVICE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 1998 SILVERADO WAS ABLE TO TURN WITHOUT THE WHEELS TURNING. TAKING MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL GARAGE FOR A CAUSE IT WAS DETECTED THAT THE BOLT IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MISSING. I HAD THE BOLT INSTALLED AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. I CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF GM AND DID NOT RECEIVE A RE…
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THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 1998 SILVERADO WAS ABLE TO TURN WITHOUT THE WHEELS TURNING. TAKING MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL GARAGE FOR A CAUSE IT WAS DETECTED THAT THE BOLT IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MISSING. I HAD THE BOLT INSTALLED AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. I CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF GM AND DID NOT RECEIVE A REASON WHY DID COULD HAPPEN IN A CAR I BOUGHT AND WAS THE SOLE OWNER. I ALSO TOLD THEM THAT I BELIEVE IT TO BE A SAFETY ITEM AND THAT A NOTICE SHOULD BE ISSUED TO OTHER OWNERS. THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED WAS THAT I DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE BROUGHT TO THEIR SHOPS AND THEREFORE COULD NOT COMMENT ON WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS,OR THAT THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT ISSUE A BULLETIN AS I HAD NOT BROUGHT IT INTO ONE OF THEIR SHOPS AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. I ALSO SAID I WOULD NOT DRIVE 27 MILES TO THE DEALER AS I COULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THEY REALLY HAD NO CONCERN FOR MY PROBLEM AND IF THIS PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING ON OTHER VEHICLES LIKE MINE. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO MY CONCERN AND I HOPE THAT THIS NOT CAUSE ANYONE ANY ACCIDENTS. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THERE WAS AN AGENCY LIKE YOURS UNTIL I READ THIS MORNINGS PAPER. I WOULD APPRECIATE KNOWING IF THERE ARE OTHER CONCERNS AS MINE OR AM I THE ONLY ONE. IT WAS VERY DISTURBING TO FIND OUT I HAD THAT BOLT MISSING. MARTIN WITKOWSKI. *JB
POWER STEERING FAILS WHEN TURNING, HESITATES AND THEN CATCHES UP CAUSING A LAG IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. I'VE HAD THE IDLER ARM AS WELL AS THE PITMAN ARM REPLACED, FAILURE STILL OCCURS. *AK
WHEN THE VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH THERE WAS A SPOT WHERE IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SLIPPING. *NLM
1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO (K1500) - THE TENSION REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL MOMENTARILY BECOMES VERY LOOSE WHILE MAKING RIGHT-HAND TURNS. DRIVER GETS THE SENSATION THERE IS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DURING THIS TIME. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL BUT THE MECHANIC AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT HE HAS REPLACED HUNDRE…
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1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO (K1500) - THE TENSION REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL MOMENTARILY BECOMES VERY LOOSE WHILE MAKING RIGHT-HAND TURNS. DRIVER GETS THE SENSATION THERE IS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DURING THIS TIME. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL BUT THE MECHANIC AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT HE HAS REPLACED HUNDREDS OF "STEERING WHEEL SPEED SENSORS". I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO FORK OUT $200 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE OK NOW, BUT FOR HOW LONG? *NLM
THIS TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED COMPENSATED STEERING; STEERING POSITION SENSOR WENT BAD WHICH ALLOWED THE STEERING TO GET TIGHTER. THE OWNER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT "HE HAS SOLD DOZENS OF THE SENSORS DUE TO CHRONIC FAILURE". ONCE THIS SENSOR FAILS THE TRUCK IS UNCONTROLLABLE, AT ANY TIME. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS…
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THIS TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED COMPENSATED STEERING; STEERING POSITION SENSOR WENT BAD WHICH ALLOWED THE STEERING TO GET TIGHTER. THE OWNER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT "HE HAS SOLD DOZENS OF THE SENSORS DUE TO CHRONIC FAILURE". ONCE THIS SENSOR FAILS THE TRUCK IS UNCONTROLLABLE, AT ANY TIME. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TS
POWER STEERING SENSOR (EVO) FAILED ERRATIC/UNPREDICTABLE STEERING. GM INDICATED NOT A SAFETY CONCERN! DT
CONSUMER STATESTHAT THE VEHICLE WAS CURVING TO THE LEFT, THE STEERING WOULD BECOME LOSE AND ERRATIC. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THE PROBLEM REOCCURS. NLM
Official recalls
0No 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
2EA05007 · 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.