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1998 problems

FaultScore report

1998 Chevrolet C/K Pickups problems

Owners have filed 88 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet C/K Pickups with NHTSA between 1998 and 2012. The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 10 worst.

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

FaultScore 62/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet C/K Pickups.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

68,750 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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 — 100: Against the median year of the Chevrolet C/K Pickups. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 29: 5.7% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 16: 9% 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/K Pickups

Click any bar to open that year's report.

1 7 7 12 60 23 24 85 88 43 40 28 14

90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02

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 Pickups

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

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 35 39.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 67,000 mi

Brakes 24 27.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 70,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 9 10.2%

Median failure at 81,434 miles

Steering 8 9.1%

Median failure at 44,500 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 3.4%

Median failure at 365,000 miles

Electrical System 2 2.3%

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 1.1%

Median failure at 29,995 miles

Seat Belts 1 1.1%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

Wheels 1 1.1%

Tires 1 1.1%

Fuel & Propulsion 1 1.1%

Lights 1 1.1%

Body & Structure 1 1.1%

Median failure at 29,995 miles

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Motor 16 29.1%

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 13 23.6%

Windshield Wiper/Washer 11 20.0%

Cooling System 4 7.3%

Switch/Wiring 3 5.5%

Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 3 5.5%

Control Unit/Module 3 5.5%

Linkages 2 3.6%

When it fails

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

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 1.6%

10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 1.6%

25,000 – 49,999 miles 13 20.3%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 26 40.6%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 11 17.2%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 11 17.2%

150,000+ miles 1 1.6%

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.

Sep 1998 peak 10 Aug 2012

NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Chevrolet C/K Pickups

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...

PE01001 Opened 8 Jan 2001 Closed 22 May 2001 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER

ALLEGED THAT THE VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER CAN FAIL RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 14 Apr 2010 at 97,000 miles Kenmore, NY Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY 1998 CHEVY SILVERADO PICKUP TRUCK HAD A BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE RUSTING OUT BECAUSE THE DESIGN HAS THE BRAKE LINE LAYING ON TOP OF A STEEL GUARD UNDER THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK WHERE SNOW GATHERS RATHER EASILY AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO INSPECT THE LINE THERE. I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY DUE TO THE LINE RUPTURING WITHOUT ANY PRIOR NOTICE OF LEAKING WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE LINE. THEY DISCOVERED WHERE THE RUPTURE WAS AND SAID IT IS A POOR DESIGN OF GM TO PLACE A LINE WHERE IT CAN RUST OUT SO EASILY WITHOUT BEING DETECTED.

NHTSA complaint #10325648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 13 Apr 2004 at 37,500 miles Salem, VA 1 injured

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR: STEERING WILL JERK WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR HAD A "WORN" SPOT AND THAT THE POWER STEERING BOOST WAS BEING ADDED AT PULL POWER BECAUSE THE SYSTEM DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DOING.

NHTSA complaint #10066109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 25 Feb 2004 at 29,995 miles Melrose Park, IL 2 injured

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

TAILGATE CABLES BROKE WHILE LOADING FURNITURE ONTO TRUCK. DAMAGED TRUCK BED AND INJURED TWO FAMILY MEMBERS FROM THE CABLES BREAKING UPON LOADING FURNITURE INTO BED OF FAIRLY NEW TRUCK WITH ONLY 30 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. (29,995) .

NHTSA complaint #10058972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 25 Feb 2004 at 29,995 miles Melrose Park, IL 2 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

NHTSA complaint #10058972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Nov 2003 at 108,500 miles Murfreesboro, TN Fire

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

REAR VIEW MIRROR SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10047138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

Filed 31 Aug 2012 at 72,000 miles Northern Cambria, PA

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING GAVE A QUICK LOCK UP AND LOST POWER STEERING TOOK PUMP OFF AND PULLEY AND SHAFT FELL OUT OF PUMP.

NHTSA complaint #10473232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Apr 2010 at 136,403 miles Harwich, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKE FAILURE ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DUE TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURES...ONCE 6' BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER AND 8 MONTHS LATER ON A LINE TO A REAR BRAKE. BOTH TIMES LOST THE PEDAL. MY TRUCK IS A 1998 CK 1500 WITH VIRTUALLY NO BODY ROT. I WAS SURPRISED THAT #1 THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF PEDAL AND #2 A SECOND PERFORATION OCCURRED SO SOON. I WILL FILL OUT THE FORM FOR INCIDENT #1 ( JULY 2009) THE OTHER RUPTURE WAS 23 MAR 2010.

NHTSA complaint #10326142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Apr 2010 at 97,000 miles Kenmore, NY Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA complaint #10325648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 7 May 2009 at 21,000 miles Travelers Rest, SC

VISIBILITY

I HATE TO SOUND REPETITIVE ,BUT I ALSO HAVE A 1998 CHEVY SILVERADO 4X4 THAT HAS A WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEM. I ALSO THINK THAT GM SHOULD STEP-UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN IT HAPPENS TO SO MANY OF THE SAME VEHICLES I FEEL AS THOUGH IT'S A FACTORY DEFECT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A LONG TIME. THE TRUCK DOESN'T HAVE BUT 61,000 MILES ON IT. I CONFRONTED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY WOULDN'T HELP ME OUT. THAT'S WHY I HAVE A TOYOTA ,THAT'S MADE IN THE USA, SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. GOD BLESS THE USA !!!

NHTSA complaint #10267909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 19 May 2008 at 39,000 miles Bremerton, WA

STEERING

STEERING: I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEN TURNING RIGHT DURING A LONG TURN, IT FEELS LIKE I HIT A PATCH OF ICE OR LIKE SOMEONE GRAB HE STEERING WHEEL & JERK IT TO THE RIGHT. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT SEEM TO BE GETTING WORST BUT I DO NOT LIKE THE FEEL. SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK COULD OVER STEER.

NHTSA complaint #10228246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Jan 2008 at 69,755 miles Great Falls, MT

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

1 WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMENTENT. 2 VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN. 3 REMOVED AND REPLACED WIPPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

NHTSA complaint #10216373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 13 Dec 2007 at 90,000 miles Iron Mountain, MI

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

MY VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN #05V379000. MY ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP MY TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10211869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 25 Oct 2006 at 80,000 miles Wattsburg, PA

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

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCK WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WOULD ACTIVATE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 10 MPH; THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT WHEN TRYING TO STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT 1999 & 2000 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCKS HAVE A RECALL FOR THE SAME ABS PROBLEM THAT I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY 1998 TRUCK. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO DISCUSS THIS RECALL WITH THEM AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE SPEED SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE RECALL WAS ADDRESSING, BUT BECAUSE MY TRUCK WAS A 1998, THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS CHEVROLET GAVE THEM THE OK. I WENT TO CHEVROLET'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE RECALL. I TALKED TO ANOTHER OWNER OF A 1998 CHEVY PICKUP AND HIS TRUCK HAD THE SAME ABS PROBLEM. HIS SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM WAS REMOVING THE ABS FUSE. MY CONCERN IS THAT CHEVROLET HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 1998 ABS SYSTEM AS WELL, BUT IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING MONEY, THEY ARE NOT INCLUDING IT IN THEIR RECALL. I FEEL THAT SINCE 1998 VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ISSUES AS THE 1999 AND 2000 VEHICLES, 1998 VEHICLES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10171837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Aug 2006 Louisburg, NC

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

I HAVE 4 BRIDGESTONE TIRES, DUELER AT 693, LT 285/75/16, ON MY VEHICLE. LAST WEEK ONE OF THEM BECAME SEVERELY DEFECTIVE AND HAD SOME SORT OF SEPARATION INSIDE IT. I SEE THAT THESE TIRES WERE SUBJECT TO A VOLUNTARY SAFETY CAMPAIGN, # 04T018000 THAT HAS APPARENTLY EXPIRED. I WAS CERTAINLY NEVER AWARE OF THIS CAMPAIGN OR I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RISKING MY FAMILIES SAFETY WITH THESE TIRES WITHOUT HAVING THEM CHECKED. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 YEARS AND APPARENTLY PURCHASED THEM NEAR OR AROUND THE CAMPAIGN DATES. MY QUESTION IS, DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE IN THIS MATTER. I NOW HAVE ONE VERY DEFECTIVE TIRE, AND THREE MORE WITH AMPLE TREAD BUT ARE NOT APPARENTLY SAFE TO DRIVE MY FAMILY AROUND ON. I DON'T BELIEVE BRIDGESTONE DID A VERY GOOD JOB NOTIFYING THE CONSUMERS OF THIS CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA complaint #10166131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Jul 2006 Lebo, KS

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRUCK STALLS WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING FOR NO REASON. STEERING HAS SUDDEN FAST JERK TO RIGHT THEN WE HAVE TO OVER CORRECT TO LEFT, HAZARD LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF NOW THEY ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. WIPER FLUID MOTOR DOESN'T WORK, GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK IT JUST VIBRATES REALLY FAST. THERE ARE WIRES IN DASH THAT HAVE BURN MARKS AND OTHER COMPONENTS ARE MELTED. ITS AMAZING THAT THIS TRUCK EVEN RUNS! WE HAVE SPENT 1200 ON THIS PILE AND STILL HAVEN'T EVEN FIXED ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS.