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FaultScore report

1998 Chevrolet C/K 3500 problems

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet C/K 3500 with NHTSA between 2002 and 2012. The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Chevrolet C/K 3500 All 1998 cars
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

14

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

56,740 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

11%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 1998 compares with every other Chevrolet C/K 3500

Click any bar to open that year's report.

7 14 4
96 98 99
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/K 3500

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 35.7%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

Brakes 2 14.3%

Median failure at 77,500 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 7.1%
Equipment & Accessories 1 7.1%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 7.1%
Steering 1 7.1%
Electrical System 1 7.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain 1 7.1%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 7.1%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 11.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 6 66.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 22.2%

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.

Nov 2002 peak 4 Aug 2012

NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Chevrolet C/K 3500

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA02005 Opened 17 May 2002 Closed 1 May 2003 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVER DOOR ELECTRICAL FIRES

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 19, 2003, THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA OF THE DECISION TO INITATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON SELECTED VEHICLES WITHIN THE SUBJECT POPULATION.THE CAMPAIGN INVOLVES 507,000 C/K AND M/L VEHICLES BUILT DURING MODEL YEARS 1997-1998.THE RECALL INVOLVES VEHICLE MODELS WITH HIGH INCIDENT RATES AND BUILT AT SELECTED ASSEMBLY PLANTS.A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE DEFECT WASINHERENT VARIATIONS IN ASSEMBLY CONDITIONS, WORKER SKILL LEVELS ANDPROCESSES THAT EXIST FROM ONE ASSEMBLY LOCATION TO ANOTHER.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OU...

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 125,000 miles Southfield, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LINES RESTING ON TOP OF CHASSIS IN DRIVER'S FRONT WHEEL WELL CORRODED AND BREACHED/LEAKED BRAKE FLUID. VEHICLE IS IN MICHIGAN.

NHTSA complaint #10471670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Greencastle, PA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. SOMETIMES THEY WON'T TURN ON OTHER TIMES THEY WON'T TURN OFF. I HAVE HAD THEM LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES AND TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE READ ON THIS SITE OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE SAME YEAR AND MODEL. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. PERHAPS A RECALL IS NOT THE BEST WAY TO RESOLVE THIS BUT SOME GUIDANCE ON HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. HAVING A GARAGE DO THE DIAGNOSIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I LOVE MY TRUCK BUT THIS PROBLEM MAKES DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS. *TR *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10202177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Greencastle, PA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. SOMETIMES THEY WON'T TURN ON OTHER TIMES THEY WON'T TURN OFF. I HAVE HAD THEM LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES AND TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE READ ON THIS SITE OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE SAME YEAR AND MODEL. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. PERHAPS A RECALL IS NOT THE BEST WAY TO RESOLVE THIS BUT SOME GUIDANCE ON HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. HAVING A GARAGE DO THE DIAGNOSIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I LOVE MY TRUCK BUT THIS PROBLEM MAKES DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS. *TR *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10202177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Reno, NV

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS LOCKS UP AT LOW SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10135328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TREAD SEPARATED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10092070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Corvallis, MT

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. I HAVE HAD THEM LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES AND TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE READ ON THIS SITE OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE SAME YEAR AND MODEL. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. ALSO IT HAPPENS ON ANOTHER CHEVROLET MODEL TRUCK WE HAVE. SEEMS TO ME IT IS A REPEATATIVE ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10045880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Barre, VT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

CONSUMER STATED WHILE HE WAS ON VACATION, DRIVING 1 TON PICKUP TRUCK,IT RAN HOT AND STOPPED RUNNING. THIS WAS ON JULY 4, 2003 WEEKEND AND NO ONE WAS AVAILABLE TO HELP. AFTER CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO FIND A DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND THAT THE TRUCK HAD OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE WIRES TO FUSE TOGETHER. DEALER TOLD HIM THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE WIRES WERE TOO CLOSE TO THE MANIFOLD WHERE THEY GET EXTRA HOT AND FUSE TOGETHER. DEALERSHIP THOUGHT THAT THE WIRES SHOULD SOME HOW BE REROUTED SO THEY WERE NOT SO CLOSE TO THE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE HELP WITH REPAIR OF TRUCK BECAUSE HE IS 70 YEARS OF AGE, AND THE TRUCK WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $2000-3000 TO REPAIR. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10033643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Brunswick, ME

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY CK3500 4X4 DUALLY, THIS TRUCK HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS NOT ONLY DID THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING, THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP, THE REAR TIRES LOCKED UP AND WE HAD TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD, WE THOUGHT IT WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM AT FIRST BUT IT IS THE TRANSFER CASE, THIS ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE TURNPIKE, THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN BABIED AND SERVICED REGULARLY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOMETIMES WORK NOW, AND WE WILL TAKE APART THE TRANSFER CASE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENED WITH IT.

NHTSA complaint #10030959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Brunswick, ME

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY CK3500 4X4 DUALLY, THIS TRUCK HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS NOT ONLY DID THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING, THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP, THE REAR TIRES LOCKED UP AND WE HAD TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD, WE THOUGHT IT WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM AT FIRST BUT IT IS THE TRANSFER CASE, THIS ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE TURNPIKE, THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN BABIED AND SERVICED REGULARLY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOMETIMES WORK NOW, AND WE WILL TAKE APART THE TRANSFER CASE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENED WITH IT.

NHTSA complaint #10030959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Brunswick, ME

EQUIPMENT

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY CK3500 4X4 DUALLY, THIS TRUCK HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS NOT ONLY DID THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING, THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP, THE REAR TIRES LOCKED UP AND WE HAD TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD, WE THOUGHT IT WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM AT FIRST BUT IT IS THE TRANSFER CASE, THIS ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE TURNPIKE, THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN BABIED AND SERVICED REGULARLY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOMETIMES WORK NOW, AND WE WILL TAKE APART THE TRANSFER CASE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENED WITH IT.

NHTSA complaint #10030959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,740 miles Baytown, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVROLET 3500 CREW CAB 4X4. MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DOING 65 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE PULLING MY BOAT. I PULLED OVER, GOT OUT AND TRIED TO FIX THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THEY WOULD COME ON AND STOP AGAIN. IT DID THIS 4-5 TIMES AND THEN THEY WOULDN'T COME ON AT ALL. I HAD TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY HOME, ANOTHER 45 MINUTES, IN THE POURING RAIN ON THE INTERSTATE WITH NO WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I HAVE A LETTER HERE FROM THE CHEVROLET MOTORS DIVISION CENTRAL OFFICE SAYING THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE A WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR THAT FAILS DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY TRUCK BUT MY TRUCK IS NOT LISTED ON THIS LETTER. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND OBVIOUSLY ITS A PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURRING IN A LOT OF GM/CHEVROLET VEHICLES. WHY ISN'T MY TRUCK LISTED ON THIS LETTER? THIS COULD HAVE BEEN RESULTED IN A TRAGEDY YESTERDAY AND SINCE I KNOW THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING PROBLEM, I BELIEVE MY TRUCK AND PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ALSO. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10020969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, IN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

INJECTOR PUMP FAILURE CAUSE LOSS OF ENGINE RUNNING, NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. DT

NHTSA complaint #769248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

INJECTOR PUMP FAILURE CAUSE LOSS OF ENGINE RUNNING, NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. DT

NHTSA complaint #769248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, IN

STEERING:LINKAGES

INJECTOR PUMP FAILURE CAUSE LOSS OF ENGINE RUNNING, NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. DT

NHTSA complaint #769248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.