Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 1998 Chevrolet C Series with NHTSA between 1998 and 2008.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 49
Against the median year of the Chevrolet C Series. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 27
5.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 28
17% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1998 compares with every other Chevrolet C Series
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Chevrolet C Series
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
842.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 51,900 mi
Suspension
315.8%
Steering
315.8%
Median failure at 90,000 miles
Body & Structure
210.5%
Median failure at 7,000 miles
Seat Belts
15.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.3%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.3%
Median failure at 60,178 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
116.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
466.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
116.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 1998peak 3Jun 2008
Recalls on the 1998 Chevrolet C Series
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200306240,759 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, a short in the electric outside rearview mirror switch could develop. If this were to occur, it could result in an inoperative switch, heat damage to the driver's door, and/or ignition of components in the driver's door and a subsequent vehicle fire without prior warning. Correction: Dealer will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch.
Recall 1998184316 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain C1500, TAhoe and Yukon vehicles, the rear brake front pipe may contact the the left front fender wheelhouse inner panel just above the chassis frame. This could eventually wear a hole in the brake pipe which would result in brake fluid loss and reduced braking effectiveness. Correction: Rear brake pipe positioning clip will be relocated, brake pipe will be inspected for wear and replaced if necessary.
Recall 19981596,089 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain crew cab pick ups, the front inner corner of the fuel tank may contact the body sill and over time wear a hole in or crack the fuel tank at the point of contact. This condition could result in fuel leakage and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur. Correction: Tank will be inspected for wear and a spacer will be installed between the fuel tank and the front crossmember, or if necessary, the fuel tank will be replaced.
Recall 199804089,752 units in Canada
Emissions
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 1103 - Exhaust Emissions. Vehicles may been built with the ignition coil wire too close to metal brackets or the transmission fluid fill tube (M/L van only). If the coil wire is too close to these metal objects, arcing may occur and cause failure of the wires which can in turn lead to a stalling/no start condition and/or catalytic converter failures. Correction: coil wire will be repositioned to assure adequate clearance from metal brackets and/or transmission fluid fill tubes.
Recall 1998033146 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain C1500 and G1 vehicles, either one or both front brake rotor hubs may have out of specification grey iron that could fatigue during the life of the vehicle resulting in stress cracks which could propagate around the wheel mounting bolt circle. This could in turn result in wheel separation and a vehicle crash without prior warning. Correction: Rotors will be inspected and replaced if necessary.
Recall 1997148280 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the lower steering shaft to steering gear pinch bolt may be "finger loose" or missing. A "finger loose" bolt could continue to loosen and fall out. With the bolt missing, the steering shaft yoke could wear and jump spines on the steering gear shaft causing an off centre steering wheel. Relative movement between the chassis and cab could cause the steering shaft to separate from the steering gear resulting in loss of steering control. Correction: Dealers will inspect for the presence of a pinch bolt and ensure it is torqued to specification.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 50,000 milesWaltham, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SHEYENNE. WHILE DRIVING AROUND 7 MPH DURING NORMAL BRAKING, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS OCCURS ON ALL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP; THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10148872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 53,800 milesStanton, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, HEAVY VIBRATION WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. FATHER INLAW HAD SAME PROBLEM ON HIS 1998 CHEVY TRUCK. WAS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10230513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesWaltham, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SHEYENNE. WHILE DRIVING AROUND 7 MPH DURING NORMAL BRAKING, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS OCCURS ON ALL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP; THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10148872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesBethpage, TN
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE LEFT TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAP SNAPPED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10103272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesDansville, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WIPER MOTOR WORKS SPORATICALLY- WAS A CRACKED SOLDER JOINT- WAS TOLD NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL BECAUSE OF YEAR-1998, BUT SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR CHEVY......
NHTSA complaint #10081311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesHurst, TX
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHEN TURNING LEFT THE POWER STEERING SLIPPED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY BUT OCCURS LESS OFTEN WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10057633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,178 milesMesa, AZ
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
4 AXLE SEALS REPLACED SINCE LIFE OF VEHICLE. REPLACED BOTH SEALS ON 06/07/00 AT 34,424 MILES. REPLACED RIGHT REAR SEAL ON 01/09/01 AT 38,598 MILES. PRESENTLY THE RIGHT REAR SEAL FAILED AGAIN SATURATED BRAKES WITH DIFFERENTIAL FLUID RENDERING THEM INOPERABLE. TS
NHTSA complaint #10006117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santee, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
BALL JOINT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS WEARING OUT, AND IS ABOUT TO BREAK. DEALERSHIP IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8018693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newton Centre, MA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I WAS CRUSING ALONG ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN FEELING ROUGH. IT QUICKLY SLOWED DOWN BUT WAS HARD TO CONTROL.*AK (TIRESIZE: P265-75R16)
NHTSA complaint #750321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VBEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE LOSS WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AT 30 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, AND INFORMED OF A BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE, WHICH REPAIRS WERE MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST.*AK
NHTSA complaint #894403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
VBEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE LOSS WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AT 30 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, AND INFORMED OF A BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE, WHICH REPAIRS WERE MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST.*AK
NHTSA complaint #894403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rocklin, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASE CONSUMER NOTICED LEFT AND RIGHT REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT, VEHICLE AT CHEVROLET DEALER AT THIS TIME TO INSTALL NEW BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #879246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Golden, CO
SUSPENSION:FRONT
MY SILVERADO HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES . I FEEL THE TRUCH IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS IT "WANDERS" TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AT SPEEDS FROM 30 MPH AND OVER. LAST TIME TRUCK WAS IN LUBY CHEVROLET IN DENVER SAID "THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT'S GOING TO GET"
NHTSA complaint #733487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Luling, LA
STEERING
AT 35-50MPH OR FASTER STEERING HAS SLIPS AT ABOUT 1/4 TURN LEFT AND RIGHT, MORE OFTEN TO LEFT, MAKING TRUCK MOVE SHARPLY TO DIRECTION OF TURN.
NHTSA complaint #9000577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merrimack, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES FADING WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS AND ROUGH SURFACES. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #549966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nampa, ID
STRUCTURE
WHILE DRIVING OFF THE ROAD VEHICLE WAS HAD DAMAGE NEAR THE FUEL TANK, AND CONSUMER HAD A CONCERN IN CASE OF A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #855945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valparaiso, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER HAS HAD BRAKES REPLACED FOUR TIMES, AND VEHICLE CURRENTLY AT DEALER, AND THEY STILL CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
NHTSA complaint #855503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flushing, NY
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE MOTOR LOCKED UP. IN ADDITION, THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #832222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chattanooga, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOSES STEERING AND BRAKES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #829735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chattanooga, TN
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOSES STEERING AND BRAKES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #829735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.