34 of the
100 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 are about the
braking system — 34% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
59,000 miles.
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 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 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 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 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.
Phoenix, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES AT ALL TIMES. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE REAR BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT CAUSING THE FRONT BRAKES TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND CAUSE NOISE WHEN BRAKING, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE WORN BELOW SPECS AND THE RIGHT SIDE WAS WORN INTO THE ROTOR CAUSING NOISE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
THE REAR BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT CAUSING THE FRONT BRAKES TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND CAUSE NOISE WHEN BRAKING, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE WORN BELOW SPECS AND THE RIGHT SIDE WAS WORN INTO THE ROTOR CAUSING NOISE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561850 — 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.
Concord, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE PEDAL ALWAYS LOW, SOFT, SOMETIMES STAND ON IT WITH BOTH FEET TO STOP TRUCK, WORSE WITH LOAD IN IT. REPLACED PADS AND SHOES AT 15,000 MILES. BETTER, BUT STILL REQUIRES YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION WHEN BRAKING.THE PROBLEM CAN BE BEST SUMMARIZED AS FOLLOWS: I WOULD USE MY LANDSCAPE TRAILER BRAKES TO HELP STOP THIS TRUCK. ON MY NEW FORD F350, I HAVE YET TO HOOK UP THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TRUCK STOPS ON A DIME-REPEATEDLY-PULLING THE SAME TRAILER.VERY UNSAFE BRAKES ON THE CHEVY-I OWNED THREE 1998 CHEVY TRUCKS-ALL HAD TERRIBLE BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
NHTSA complaint #723989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Concord, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PEDAL ALWAYS LOW, SOFT, SOMETIMES STAND ON IT WITH BOTH FEET TO STOP TRUCK, WORSE WITH LOAD IN IT. REPLACED PADS AND SHOES AT 15,000 MILES. BETTER, BUT STILL REQUIRES YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION WHEN BRAKING.THE PROBLEM CAN BE BEST SUMMARIZED AS FOLLOWS: I WOULD USE MY LANDSCAPE TRAILER BRAKES TO HELP STOP THIS TRUCK. ON MY NEW FORD F350, I HAVE YET TO HOOK UP THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TRUCK STOPS ON A DIME-REPEATEDLY-PULLING THE SAME TRAILER.VERY UNSAFE BRAKES ON THE CHEVY-I OWNED THREE 1998 CHEVY TRUCKS-ALL HAD TERRIBLE BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
NHTSA complaint #723989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING INTO TOWN WITH A SNOW PLOW ON THE TRUCK APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION AND SHIFTED TO THIRD GEAR TO SLOW DOWN, STEPPED ON BRAKES AND THERE WAS NOTHING. PUMPED THE BRAKES, AND STILL NOTHING. PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON AND FINALLY STOPPED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. DEALER REFUSED TO GIVE OLD PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #855587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHILE DRIVING INTO TOWN WITH A SNOW PLOW ON THE TRUCK APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION AND SHIFTED TO THIRD GEAR TO SLOW DOWN, STEPPED ON BRAKES AND THERE WAS NOTHING. PUMPED THE BRAKES, AND STILL NOTHING. PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON AND FINALLY STOPPED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. DEALER REFUSED TO GIVE OLD PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #855587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmouth, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK AT GLOCKNER CHEVROLET IN PORTSMOUTH, OHIO 45662 FOR REPAIR ABOUT 10 TO TWELVE TIMES NOW. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT BEING SOLVED. I HAVE CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES (OVER 30) TO GET THIS TRUCK FIXED. I ASKED FOR A AREA VEHICLE MANAGER TO COME DOWN AND LOOK AT THIS TRUCK AND I HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS IN EVEN GETTING A RETURN PHONE CALL. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SEVERAL GM REPS. ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT IS PUTTING ME AT RISK OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT BUT THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY CONCERN OF THEIRS. I FINALLY GOT 1 PERSON TO GIVE ME THEIR DIRECT LINE TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE PERSON IS JOE PACHECO AT 1-800-43-FLEET. I AM STILL HAVING NO SATISFACTION IN GETTING THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. TODAY MY TRUCK IS BACK IN THE SHOP. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. I WOULD APPRECIATE IN INSIGHT YOU CAN GIVE ME ON THIS SITUATION. MY NEXT STEP WAS GOING TO SEE AN ATTORNEY, BUT I AM HOPING THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO COME TO THAT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 16 MONTHS NOW. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #715703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chandler, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING HIT THE BRAKES AND TRUCK SPUN AROUND BECAUSE THERE WAS ONLY ONE BRAKE ON THE BACK. CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A PERSON ON A BIKE.
NHTSA complaint #852280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuttle, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKES SYSTEM FAILURE RESUTLED IN WORN PADS AND WARPED ROTORS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuttle, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE HOSE COLLAPSED CAUSING RF CALIPER TO STAY ENGAGED CAUSING EXCESSIVE AND UNEVEN BRAKE PAD WEAR, WARPED ROTORS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuttle, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VALVE OUT OF CALIBRATION CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Barb, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED,SPEED SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #607198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steelwater, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ABS SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING AND NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE, BUT THE HORSE TRAIL THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #843203 — 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.
King George, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #842163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKES PULL BADLY TO THE LEFT WHEN STOPPING. LEFT FRONT BRAKE SQUEELS LOUDLY AND PULLS HARD. THE SECOND REQUEST ON THE STEERING IS FOR WANDERING STEERING. VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO KEEP IN THE LANE WHILE TRAVELING ON GROOVED HIGHWAYS OR WHILE TRAVELING IN WIND, EVEN IN LIGHT WIND. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS CORRECTED FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS AND COME RIGHT BACK. THE LONGER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BEFORE TAKEN BACK TO THE SHOP THE WORSE THE BRAKING GETS. VERY SCARY. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #708033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THE BRAKES PULL BADLY TO THE LEFT WHEN STOPPING. LEFT FRONT BRAKE SQUEELS LOUDLY AND PULLS HARD. THE SECOND REQUEST ON THE STEERING IS FOR WANDERING STEERING. VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO KEEP IN THE LANE WHILE TRAVELING ON GROOVED HIGHWAYS OR WHILE TRAVELING IN WIND, EVEN IN LIGHT WIND. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS CORRECTED FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS AND COME RIGHT BACK. THE LONGER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BEFORE TAKEN BACK TO THE SHOP THE WORSE THE BRAKING GETS. VERY SCARY. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #708033 — 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.
BAY Shore, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE BOLTS BENT.
NHTSA complaint #544556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blythe, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BARKES ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Francis, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE IN SHOP 8-10 TIMES FOR POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE. STEERING NOT WORKING. SUSPENSION FAILS & IT PULLS SEVERLY TO LEFT. DEALER/MECHANIC TEST DROVE VEHICLE W/OWNER. COULD NOT REPAIR PULLING TO LEFT, SUSPENSION OR STEERING PROBLEMS. IS A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #829513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danville, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH FRONT WHEEL BRAKE SYSTEM GOING OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED AND OVERHAULED WHOLE BRAKING SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #831254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.