Owners have filed 27 complaints
about the 1998 Chevrolet Express with NHTSA between 1998 and 2006.
The largest single group is the tires.
Across this model's run it ranks 21 of 25 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 — 41
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Express. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 38
7.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1998 compares with every other Chevrolet Express
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 Express
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
622.2%
Brakes
518.5%
Seat Belts
414.8%
Body & Structure
311.1%
Median failure at 70,562 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
27.4%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Suspension
27.4%
Engine & Cooling
27.4%
Median failure at 42,233 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
13.7%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
13.7%
Electrical System
13.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
133.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
133.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
133.3%
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 1998peak 3Jan 2006
Recalls on the 1998 Chevrolet Express
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.
United States — NHTSA
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
98V033000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OR BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTOR/HUBS WERE BUILT WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION GRAY IRON THAT CAN FAIL DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
Risk: IF A DRIVER CONTINUES TO DRIVE WITH A CRACKED ROTOR, THE CRACKS COULD CONTINUE AROUND THE WHEEL MOUNTING BOLT CIRCLE AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
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 199721619 units in Canada
Emissions
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 1101 - Emission Device. Vehicles were built with incorrect vehicle emission control labels. Correction: New labels will be installed on affected vehicles.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Oley, PAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
SMELLED GASOLINE AND SAW FUEL DRIPPING FROM SIDE AND BOTTOM OF VAN...VAN SPUTTERED TO STOP, LOST POWER STEERING BUT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO CLOSED GARAGE PARKING LOT...DETERMINED PLASTIC FUEL LINE WAS PUNCTURED--THEY TOLD ME PART(FUEL LINE) WAS DISCONTINUED!??
NHTSA complaint #9006857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hopemills, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT 25 MPH, THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT FIRE. VAN WAS CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP. FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A DISPLACEMENT OF THE BOX IN THE WIRING FOR THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM. DEALER REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY SINCE THEY DID NOT INSTALL THE PART THAT CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #830633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 42,233 milesFranklin, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
FAILURE OF INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT AT 42000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 90008 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10148247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,125 milesShelby Township, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HINGE BROKE COMPLETELY OFF WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING APPLIED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE DOOR WAS NOT FREQUENTLY USED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE HINGE, THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. *AK THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE PIN SEIZED UP DUE TO NO LUBRICATION.
NHTSA complaint #10038414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesAppleton, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE DOOR HINGES FROZE UP AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO CLOSE THE DOOR WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR TO BE MISALIGNED. *JB PH
NHTSA complaint #10015042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allen Park, MI
SUSPENSION:REAR
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR AXLE FAILED CAUSING OIL TO LINK FROM THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
NHTSA complaint #8021824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allen Park, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
NHTSA complaint #8021807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oley, PAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
SMELLED GASOLINE AND SAW FUEL DRIPPING FROM SIDE AND BOTTOM OF VAN...VAN SPUTTERED TO STOP, LOST POWER STEERING BUT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO CLOSED GARAGE PARKING LOT...DETERMINED PLASTIC FUEL LINE WAS PUNCTURED--THEY TOLD ME PART(FUEL LINE) WAS DISCONTINUED!??
NHTSA complaint #9006857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bandera, TX
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
I NOTICED A CONTINUOUS TIRE THUMP" AND STOPPED THE VEHICAL AND CHECKED THE TIRES. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD A FLAT SPOT IN THE CENTER OF THE TREAD, ABOUT 2IN X 1.5 IN. THERE WERE NO OTHER ABNORMATITIES. AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MORE MILES THE "THUMP" GOT ALOT MORE APPARENT AND I HEARD A LOUD "CLINKING" NOISE. I STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE TIRE AND FOUND THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE OVER ABOUT A 12 IN. OF LENGTH WHERE THE STEEL BELT STOPS AT THE SIDE WALL. THE TREAD WAS STILL INTACT. I BELEIVE THAT IF I HAD NOT STOPPED WHEN I DID THAT TOTAL SEPERATION OF THE TREAD WOULD HAVE OCCURED WITHIN THE NEXT MILE OR SO. I HAVE THE TIRE IF YOU NEED TO INSPECT IT AND/OR I CAN SEND YOU PHOTOS .*AK (DOT NUMBER: VN1181A098 TIRESIZE: LT 245/ 75)
NHTSA complaint #759720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Pedro, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
AIR TEMPERATURE 100 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, AIR PRESSURE IN TIRE CHECKED AT 80 PSI COLD, SPEED 60MPH. THIS IS THE THIRD TIRE OF THIS SIZE AND MAKE, MADE IN CANADA. THIS ONE AND OTHER TWO HAD ABOUT 9 TO 10 THOUSAND MILES ON THE ROAD. EACH SUFFERED A TREAD SEPARATION. OTHERS HAD ODI#735190. *AK (DOT NUMBER: TPC 2012MS TIRESIZE: 24575R16 E)
NHTSA complaint #752883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winchester, KY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE PROBLEM IS IN BUCKLE FAILURES AND RETRACTOR FAILURES. RIVERSIDE VANS (CONVERSION CO.) SAID THEY HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THESE BELTS. I HAVE HAD 4 FAILURES. MFR. IS ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS.
NHTSA complaint #748873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dearborn, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #748664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmcoast, FL
TIRES
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE WAS SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL. PULLED OVER AND NOTICED TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT.*AK CONSUMER STATES TIRE PEELED BACK AND BELT SEPARATED.
NHTSA complaint #886213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winchester, KY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
VARIOUS SEAT BELTS (RETRACTORS AND BUCKLES) HAVE FAILED. CONVERSION BY RIVERSIDE VANS, COLON, MI.
NHTSA complaint #741977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winchester, KY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
VARIOUS SEAT BELTS (RETRACTORS AND BUCKLES) HAVE FAILED. CONVERSION BY RIVERSIDE VANS, COLON, MI.
NHTSA complaint #741977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orange, CA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
ENGINE SHAKES AND RATTLES, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. SIDE CARGO DOOR WILL NOT LATCH AT BOTTOM, DEALER STATED RIGHT SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH LINK WAS MISALIGNED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orange, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE SHAKES AND RATTLES, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. SIDE CARGO DOOR WILL NOT LATCH AT BOTTOM, DEALER STATED RIGHT SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH LINK WAS MISALIGNED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE SHAKES AND RATTLES, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. SIDE CARGO DOOR WILL NOT LATCH AT BOTTOM, DEALER STATED RIGHT SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH LINK WAS MISALIGNED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spartanburg, SC
TIRES
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH 14 PASSENGERS WHEN I FELT THE VAN START TO RIDE ROUGH AND THEN FELT A FLAPPING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. I THEN PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO FIND THE TIRE HAD COMPLETELY SHREDDED THE OUTER LAYER, BUT DID NOT BLOW OUT.*AK (TIRESIZE: 245/75R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245/75R16 )
NHTSA complaint #734567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tomball, TX
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BRING HER CAR POOL HOME WITH SIX CHILDREN. SHE HEARD A LOUD THUMPING SOUND OCCUR ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE TIRE DID NOT BURST BUT WE LOST A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE TREAD. WE HAVE HAD THE TIRES REPLACED WITH GOODYEAR TIRES. THE SAME DAY THIS HAPPENED WE HEARD THESE TIRES WERE ALSO BEING INVESTIGATED. WE STILL HAVE THE TIRES IN OUR POSSESSION. (DOT NUMBER: VN11B1A307 TIRESIZE: LT245/75R1)
NHTSA complaint #733141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Humble, TX
TIRES
I HAD SOME VIBRATION THEN THE TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE VAN. II DROVE ON THE REMAING AIR BLADDER TILL I COULD GET THE TIRE REPLACED. THE DOT NUMBER I GVE YOU IS NOT FROM THE DAMAGED TIRE BUT 1 OF THE ORIGINAL 5 TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE.( DOT NUMBER: VN11B1A058 TIRE SIZE: LT24575R16 )
NHTSA complaint #731887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canyon Lake, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR WITHIN THE INSIDE OF BRAKE PADS. TOTAL OF 7 SETS OF PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITHIN A YEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #860313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canyon Lake, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
PADS ARE WEARING OUT FROM THE INSIDE WITHOUT ANY WARNING GIVEN. BECAUSE PADS FROM OUTSIDE DO NOT WEAR OUT, SENSOR CANNOT WARN THE DRIVER .PADS WERE REPLACED 7 TIMES WITHIN 12 MONTHS, AND DEALER COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #860279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canyon Lake, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR WITHIN THE INSIDE OF BRAKE PADS. TOTAL OF 7 SETS OF PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITHIN A YEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #860313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OSH Kosh, WI
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORS SHAKE SO VIOLENTLY THAT DRIVER CANNOT JUDGE THE DISTANCE OF OTHER VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #849621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berlin, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FRONT BRAKES WEAR PREMATURLY INSIDE PADS WEAR BEFORE OUTSIDE PADS, THEREFORE THE ROTORS WILL GRIND BEFORE THEY SQUEEL FOR WARNING
NHTSA complaint #710946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Schimmert, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHEN DRIVING ON A BUMPY ROAD OR MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE CAR MAKES A 'HONKING' NOICE IN FRONT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: M3DD TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
NHTSA complaint #706710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.