Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 4.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
361Complaints
2Recalls
15Crashes
11Fires
6Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (18.6% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 4.2× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
67 · 18.6%
not available
—
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
24 · 6.6%
not available
—
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
21 · 5.8%
not available
—
Steering
18 · 5%
not available
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
17 · 4.7%
not available
—
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
15 · 4.2%
not available
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS13 · 3.6%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER11 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC10 · 2.8%
SERVICE BRAKES10 · 2.8%
Percentages are the share of the 361 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING WOUD STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL AND COULD HEARD AIR COMING FROM THE BRAKES. PROBLEM HAD BEEN WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER .”NHTSA complaint 865801 — filed 07/20/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“THERE IS NO DIRECT CABLE TO THE CARBURETOR SYSTEM. ALSO, WITHOUT THE COMPUTER INPUT PEDAL DOESN'T RELEASE UINTIL CONSUMER TURNS VEHICLE OFF. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE…”NHTSA complaint 861072 — filed 04/27/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“BRAKING POWER IS INSUFFICIENT, RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE ROTOR WEAR, AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO; WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED REAR WHEELS LOCK UP, CAUSING THE…”NHTSA complaint 856954 — filed 02/15/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 67 of 361 NHTSA complaints (18.6%), followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer (24), visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (21), steering (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
361 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07E088000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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