Owners have filed 100 complaints
about the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with NHTSA between 1997 and 2012.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 28 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 — 97
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 41
8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 21
13% 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 Silverado 3500
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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
28.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
14.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
14.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
937.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
520.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
416.7%
150,000+ miles
28.3%
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 1997peak 9Nov 2012
Recalls on the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
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
06E043000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 191,000 milesPflugerville, TX1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE LYING UNDER THE VEHICLE CHANGING THE OIL, THE RADIATOR BURST. THIS OCCURRED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO BOTH ARMS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE RADIATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10166310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durand, MICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 15MPH AND WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN, APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND IN THE PROCESS HE HIT A BUMP AND VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD. WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED, IT WAS IN THE STREET PASSING THE CROSSWALK. ABS BRAKING SYSTEM DIDN'T KICK IN. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #871658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Branford, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE INTENSE HEAT FROM THE BLOCK HEATER/CIRCUIT FAILURE BLEW OUT THE TIRES RESULTING IN THE FIRE THAT BURNED THE VEHICLE. YH
NHTSA complaint #551153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairbank, ALCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED A CRASH. THE TRUCK HAD WARPED BRAKE DRUMS WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT WHEELS TO SHAKE OUT OF CONTROL WHEN ON ICE, RAIN OR SNOW, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK
NHTSA complaint #843034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Potosi, WICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE TAVELING AND GOING UP A HILL, CONSUMER DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL T0 FLOORBOARD AND VEHICLE TRAVELED BACKWARD, HITING A TREE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #838444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gaffney, SCCrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
CONSUMER STOPPED THE TRUCK AND PUT IT IN PARK ,WENT IN TO HOUSE, AND MINUTES LATER THE TRUCK CHARGED INTO THE BARN, HITTING ANOTHE NEW TRUCK PARKED IN THE BARN.
NHTSA complaint #832159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 78,500 milesEagan, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
I WAS DRIVING MY ~ CHEVY DUALLY DIESEL TRUCK ~ ON A FREEWAY PULLING A TRAILER WITH MY ANTIQUE CAR IN IT WHEN THE TRUCK KIND OF HESITATED / SPUTTERED AND DIED ! I LOST POWER BRAKES - BUT WAS ABLE TO GET PULLED OVER TO SIDE AND AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE TRUCK RESTARTED ... NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER THIS I HAD THE TRUCK DIE AND HESITATE - I TOOK TO A CHEVROLET DEALER ONCE - THEY QUESTIONED THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM AND BAD IGNITION SWITCH - WANTED A RIDICULOUS PRICE TO FIX .... THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 73,000 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT , AND I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT MUCH ONLY 81,000 MILES PRESENTLY - AND I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT IN OVER A YEAR BECAUSE OF FAILURES TO START. I HAD BOUGHT A KIT AND "PMD / FSD" MODULES AND FINALLY GOT AROUND TO SWAPPING IN ANOTHER ONE - AND WOW NOW THE TRUCK IS RUNNING ----------------- " IT WAS A BAD STANADYNE PMD " ! I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET NOW THE TROUBLES THESE HAVE HAD DUE TO HEAT AND WHERE PART HAS BEEN MOUNTED IN THE ENGINE AREA. I WAS AN ELECTRONIC INSTRUCTOR IN THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEMS AND AS I NOW LOOK AT / EVALUATE THIS PART MADE BY STANADYNE ==== TO ME ITS DESIGN / CONSTRUCTION LOOKS AS IF ITS BUILT TO HOLD THE HEAT IT DEVELOPS INSIDE OF THE PLASTIC INSULATED CASE - THEREBY NOT RELEASING HEAT TO THE OUTSIDE CAUSING ITS ULTIMATE FAILURE DUE TO INTERNAL HEAT BUILDUP .
NHTSA complaint #10484122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,500 milesEagan, MN
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING MY ~ CHEVY DUALLY DIESEL TRUCK ~ ON A FREEWAY PULLING A TRAILER WITH MY ANTIQUE CAR IN IT WHEN THE TRUCK KIND OF HESITATED / SPUTTERED AND DIED ! I LOST POWER BRAKES - BUT WAS ABLE TO GET PULLED OVER TO SIDE AND AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE TRUCK RESTARTED ... NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER THIS I HAD THE TRUCK DIE AND HESITATE - I TOOK TO A CHEVROLET DEALER ONCE - THEY QUESTIONED THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM AND BAD IGNITION SWITCH - WANTED A RIDICULOUS PRICE TO FIX .... THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 73,000 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT , AND I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT MUCH ONLY 81,000 MILES PRESENTLY - AND I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT IN OVER A YEAR BECAUSE OF FAILURES TO START. I HAD BOUGHT A KIT AND "PMD / FSD" MODULES AND FINALLY GOT AROUND TO SWAPPING IN ANOTHER ONE - AND WOW NOW THE TRUCK IS RUNNING ----------------- " IT WAS A BAD STANADYNE PMD " ! I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET NOW THE TROUBLES THESE HAVE HAD DUE TO HEAT AND WHERE PART HAS BEEN MOUNTED IN THE ENGINE AREA. I WAS AN ELECTRONIC INSTRUCTOR IN THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEMS AND AS I NOW LOOK AT / EVALUATE THIS PART MADE BY STANADYNE ==== TO ME ITS DESIGN / CONSTRUCTION LOOKS AS IF ITS BUILT TO HOLD THE HEAT IT DEVELOPS INSIDE OF THE PLASTIC INSULATED CASE - THEREBY NOT RELEASING HEAT TO THE OUTSIDE CAUSING ITS ULTIMATE FAILURE DUE TO INTERNAL HEAT BUILDUP .
NHTSA complaint #10484122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,500 milesEagan, MN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY ~ CHEVY DUALLY DIESEL TRUCK ~ ON A FREEWAY PULLING A TRAILER WITH MY ANTIQUE CAR IN IT WHEN THE TRUCK KIND OF HESITATED / SPUTTERED AND DIED ! I LOST POWER BRAKES - BUT WAS ABLE TO GET PULLED OVER TO SIDE AND AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE TRUCK RESTARTED ... NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER THIS I HAD THE TRUCK DIE AND HESITATE - I TOOK TO A CHEVROLET DEALER ONCE - THEY QUESTIONED THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM AND BAD IGNITION SWITCH - WANTED A RIDICULOUS PRICE TO FIX .... THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 73,000 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT , AND I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT MUCH ONLY 81,000 MILES PRESENTLY - AND I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT IN OVER A YEAR BECAUSE OF FAILURES TO START. I HAD BOUGHT A KIT AND "PMD / FSD" MODULES AND FINALLY GOT AROUND TO SWAPPING IN ANOTHER ONE - AND WOW NOW THE TRUCK IS RUNNING ----------------- " IT WAS A BAD STANADYNE PMD " ! I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET NOW THE TROUBLES THESE HAVE HAD DUE TO HEAT AND WHERE PART HAS BEEN MOUNTED IN THE ENGINE AREA. I WAS AN ELECTRONIC INSTRUCTOR IN THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEMS AND AS I NOW LOOK AT / EVALUATE THIS PART MADE BY STANADYNE ==== TO ME ITS DESIGN / CONSTRUCTION LOOKS AS IF ITS BUILT TO HOLD THE HEAT IT DEVELOPS INSIDE OF THE PLASTIC INSULATED CASE - THEREBY NOT RELEASING HEAT TO THE OUTSIDE CAUSING ITS ULTIMATE FAILURE DUE TO INTERNAL HEAT BUILDUP .
NHTSA complaint #10484122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,500 milesPrior Lake, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
98 CHEV K3500 WITH 6.5 TURBO DIESEL WOULD STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. ENGINE SOMETIMES WOULD RESTART WHEN VEHICLE PUT IN NEUTRAL OTHER TIMES IT MAY TAKE SVERAL MINUTES. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ENGINE WOULD HICKUP THEN BEGIN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN DESPITE REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL. I WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND REGAIN CONTROL. SOMETIMES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART ENGINE IT WOULD EITHER OVER REV OR THE RPM'S WOULD SURGE UP AND DOWN SEVERELY. ON ONE OCCASION, AS I SLOWED TO STOP AT A SIGN BEFORE PULLING OUT ONTO A 4 LANE ROAD THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN LAUNCHING ME OUT INTO THE ROAD NARROWLY MISSING ON COMING TRAFFIC. ANOTHER TIME WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT MY BANK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPING THE CURB AND GOING INTO THE BUSHES ON THE LAWN! I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK INTO NUMEROUS GM DEALERSHIPS AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS AND HAD THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP REPLACED AND NUMEROUS PUMP DRIVER MODULES, PMD'S MADE FOR GM BY EITHER STANADYNE AND D TECH AND HAD THEM MOUNTED ON A REMOTE HEAT SINK FOR COOLER OPERATING TEMPS. THIS IS A SEVERELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND POTENTIAL CRASHES! I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE WITH 2 DIFFERENT GM VEHICLES I OWN WITH THE 6.5 TURBO DIESEL ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10457557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesLexington, SC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FUEL INJECTION PUMP FAILED.....LOSS OF POWER, SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH NO WARNING, REPLACED UNIT 3X....DEALER STATED THAT WAS THE WAY THEY WERE, SOMETIME HAVING TO INSTALL 2 TO GET IT OUT OF SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #10457506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesLexington, SC
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
FUEL INJECTION PUMP FAILED.....LOSS OF POWER, SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH NO WARNING, REPLACED UNIT 3X....DEALER STATED THAT WAS THE WAY THEY WERE, SOMETIME HAVING TO INSTALL 2 TO GET IT OUT OF SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #10457506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castleton, VA
SUSPENSION
MY TRUCK IS A 98 CHEVY K3500. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM SOMEONE THAT SAID IT WAS USED AT THE SMITHSONIAN. WHEN I FIRST GOT IT NEEDED EVERYTHING REPLACED ON THE FUEL SYSTEM. THEN LAST YEAR ONE OF MY BRAKE LINES SNAPPED AND HAD TO REPLACE IT AND NOW TODAY THE OTHER ONE SNAPPED. SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. THIS IS A HD TRUCK AND GOD FORBID I WAS ON A MAIN ROAD AND NOT IN MY DRIVEWAY. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10437425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castleton, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY TRUCK IS A 98 CHEVY K3500. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM SOMEONE THAT SAID IT WAS USED AT THE SMITHSONIAN. WHEN I FIRST GOT IT NEEDED EVERYTHING REPLACED ON THE FUEL SYSTEM. THEN LAST YEAR ONE OF MY BRAKE LINES SNAPPED AND HAD TO REPLACE IT AND NOW TODAY THE OTHER ONE SNAPPED. SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. THIS IS A HD TRUCK AND GOD FORBID I WAS ON A MAIN ROAD AND NOT IN MY DRIVEWAY. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10437425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castleton, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY TRUCK IS A 98 CHEVY K3500. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM SOMEONE THAT SAID IT WAS USED AT THE SMITHSONIAN. WHEN I FIRST GOT IT NEEDED EVERYTHING REPLACED ON THE FUEL SYSTEM. THEN LAST YEAR ONE OF MY BRAKE LINES SNAPPED AND HAD TO REPLACE IT AND NOW TODAY THE OTHER ONE SNAPPED. SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. THIS IS A HD TRUCK AND GOD FORBID I WAS ON A MAIN ROAD AND NOT IN MY DRIVEWAY. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10437425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesBryant, AR
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES WHERE THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE DEALER STATED THE WAY THE PART WAS DESIGNED WOULD CAUSE FOR IT TO FAIL WHEN THERE WERE HOT WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 09/28/10 *BF THE CONSUEMR STATED IT WAS THE BOX CONNECTED TO THE FUEL INJECTOR, BUT THE DEALER STATED IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTOR AND REPLACED IT. UPDATED 10/01/10
NHTSA complaint #10346147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,500 milesPrior Lake, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET K3500. THE CONTACT WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND EXHIBITED A JERKING MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH INDICATED AN CODE REGARDING AN INCREASE IN THE RPMS. THERE WERE NO DIESEL MECHANICS IN THE AREA TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 700,000.
NHTSA complaint #10325043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,500 milesPrior Lake, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SEVERAL TIMES THE TRUCK WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION HAS ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AND PULLED ME INTO AN INTERSECTION. SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40 - 45 MPH THE TRUCK HAS ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN TO OVER 70 MPH ON BACK COUNTY ROADS BEFORE I SHUT IT OFF AND COAST TO A STOP. UPON TRYING TO RESTART ENGINE IT WOULD REV UP TO 4000 RPM THEN FLUCTUATE FROM 1000 - 3000 RPM. AFTER SEVERAL RESTARTS IT WOULD RUN NORMALLY UNTIL THE NEXT OCCURRENCE. ONCE WHILE PULLING INTO A BANK PARKING SPACE THE TRUCK SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO SHUT IT OFF IT JUMPED THE CURB AND WENT INTO THE SHRUBS. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES IN A 2 WEEK PERIOD BEGINNING LATE IN MARCH 2010. IT SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY TOYOTA VEHICLES!
NHTSA complaint #10325064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesWingdale, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SLOW SPEED ACTIVATION OF ANTI LOCK BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10275211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesWingdale, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SLOW SPEED ACTIVATION OF ANTI LOCK BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10275211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesWingdale, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TRIGGER AT LOW SPEEDS. AS PER SOME RESEARCH 1999 SILVERADO'S WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM...WHY NOT THE 1998'S.
NHTSA complaint #10265281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesWingdale, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TRIGGER AT LOW SPEEDS. AS PER SOME RESEARCH 1999 SILVERADO'S WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM...WHY NOT THE 1998'S.
NHTSA complaint #10265281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesTopeka, KS
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WIPER MOTOR WILL STOP AND START WITHOUT WARNING DURING RAIN OR SNOW. THERE IS A RECALL ON WIPER MOTORS FOR EITHER 1997 OR 1996 AND OLDER CHEVY TRUCKS, BUT NOT THE 1998'S. IF YOU CHECK THE WIPER MOTORS IN EACH YEAR YOU'LL FIND THEY ARE THE SAME ONE. CREATES A VISION HAZARD WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10184326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesTopeka, KS
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
THE WIPER MOTOR WILL STOP AND START WITHOUT WARNING DURING RAIN OR SNOW. THERE IS A RECALL ON WIPER MOTORS FOR EITHER 1997 OR 1996 AND OLDER CHEVY TRUCKS, BUT NOT THE 1998'S. IF YOU CHECK THE WIPER MOTORS IN EACH YEAR YOU'LL FIND THEY ARE THE SAME ONE. CREATES A VISION HAZARD WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10184326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 191,000 milesPflugerville, TX1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE LYING UNDER THE VEHICLE CHANGING THE OIL, THE RADIATOR BURST. THIS OCCURRED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO BOTH ARMS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE RADIATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10166310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,295 milesLizella, GA
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE OPENING THE TAILGATE. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 06V066000 REGARDING THE TAILGATE HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10159321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 198,000 milesEaston, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I BELIEVE GENERAL MOTORS HAS GENERATED A DEFECT IN MY 1998 K3500 PICKUP BY EQUIPPING IT WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. ON THE INCIDENT DATE I WAS TRAVELING EAST ON MD RT 16 NEAR HARMONY, MD. I NOTICED A VEHICLE APPROACHING AND FLASHING HIS HEADLIGHTS. THINKING SOMETHING WAS WRONG I SLOWED DOWN. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I ROUNDED A SHARP CURVE AND FOUND A VERY LARGE TREE HAD FALLEN FULLY ACROSS THE TRAVELED PORTION OF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET AROUND IT BY LEAVING THE ROADWAY. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATING THIS OBSTACLE I PROCEEDED ON MY WAY. AFTER TRAVELING ANOTHER HALF MILE I MET ANOTHER CAR WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO WARN BECAUSE OF MY HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS BEING ON DUE TO THE DRL FEATURE. THIS UNWARNED VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND COLLIDED WITH THE TREE. RATHER THEN BEING A SAFETY DEVICE I FEEL, AS A RESULT OF MY EXPERIENCE, THAT DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE A HAZARD AND SHOULD BE BANNED!!
NHTSA complaint #10135930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,105 milesOgden, UT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING DURING RAINSTORM. THE PROBLEM ISINTERMITTENT SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. THE WIPERS MAY OR MAY NOT WORK WHEN YOU TURN THEM ON.
NHTSA complaint #10124252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesPalmyra, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HAVE HAD 2 1998 K3500 TRUCKS. BOTH HAVE HAD WHAT I CONSIDER SEVERE ANTI-LOCK FAILURES WHICH OCCUR ANYTIME, ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. BOTH WERE TAKEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS WITH NO PERMANENT FIX. CONSENSUS OF PROBLEMS ON BOTH TRUCKS WAS THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS FAILING, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE ANTI-LOCK TO ACTIVATE WHEN NOT NEEDED. THIS RESULTS IN INCONSISTENT STOPPING DISTANCES. BOTH TRUCKS ALSO HAVE A COLD WEATHER REAL END DRAG PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, THE BACK WHEELS WILL LOCK UP AND SKID WHILE STOPPING NO MATTER HOW LIGHT YOU TOUCH THE BRAKES. THIS LOCK UP LASTS FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 1/2 MILE, UNTIL THE AXLE HEATS UP, THEN THE BRAKES WORK FINE - EXCEPT FOR THE ABS. SECOND OF K3500 TRUCKS (1998) HAS AN INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING DROPS OFF, AND THEN SUDDENLY COMES BACK. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS AT SLOW SPEEDS. OH HAVE TO EITHER MUSCLE THE WHEEL TO MAKE YOUR TURN IN A LARGER RADIUS, OR FEATHER THE CASE TO PUMP UP THE HYDRAULICS ON THE POWER STEERING. THE LATER RESULTS IN A LURGE AND THE FORMER RESULTS IN A WIDE SWING.
NHTSA complaint #10053003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesPalmyra, NY
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
HAVE HAD 2 1998 K3500 TRUCKS. BOTH HAVE HAD WHAT I CONSIDER SEVERE ANTI-LOCK FAILURES WHICH OCCUR ANYTIME, ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. BOTH WERE TAKEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS WITH NO PERMANENT FIX. CONSENSUS OF PROBLEMS ON BOTH TRUCKS WAS THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS FAILING, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE ANTI-LOCK TO ACTIVATE WHEN NOT NEEDED. THIS RESULTS IN INCONSISTENT STOPPING DISTANCES. BOTH TRUCKS ALSO HAVE A COLD WEATHER REAL END DRAG PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, THE BACK WHEELS WILL LOCK UP AND SKID WHILE STOPPING NO MATTER HOW LIGHT YOU TOUCH THE BRAKES. THIS LOCK UP LASTS FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 1/2 MILE, UNTIL THE AXLE HEATS UP, THEN THE BRAKES WORK FINE - EXCEPT FOR THE ABS. SECOND OF K3500 TRUCKS (1998) HAS AN INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING DROPS OFF, AND THEN SUDDENLY COMES BACK. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS AT SLOW SPEEDS. OH HAVE TO EITHER MUSCLE THE WHEEL TO MAKE YOUR TURN IN A LARGER RADIUS, OR FEATHER THE CASE TO PUMP UP THE HYDRAULICS ON THE POWER STEERING. THE LATER RESULTS IN A LURGE AND THE FORMER RESULTS IN A WIDE SWING.
NHTSA complaint #10053003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesBlackwater, MO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVER SMELLED GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK COLLAPSED WHICH CAUSED IT TO LEAK. THE DEALER HAS NOT FIXED IT. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10042292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.