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1998 Chevrolet C/K Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 5 of 8 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Visibility complaints

6 reports
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80,000 miles · Feb 4, 2011
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CK 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. OCCASIONALLY THEY DO NOT COME ON AND AT OTHER TIMES, WHEN THEY DO COME ON, THEY WILL NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE HIS YEAR, MAKE OR MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOK…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CK 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. OCCASIONALLY THEY DO NOT COME ON AND AT OTHER TIMES, WHEN THEY DO COME ON, THEY WILL NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE HIS YEAR, MAKE OR MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1997 IT SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL 03V159000, VISIBILITY WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10380761

35,000 miles · Aug 27, 2008
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CK 2500. WHILE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED DURING A STORM, THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 09/25/08 *BF UPDATED 09/25/08…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CK 2500. WHILE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED DURING A STORM, THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 09/25/08 *BF UPDATED 09/25/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10239901

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

WE HAVE A 1998 CHEVY Z71 PICKUP AND HAVE HAD FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WE HAVE CONTINUAL BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK. WE HAVE REPLACED ROTORS, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS ALL SEVERAL TIMES. SOMETIMES REPLACING BRAKE PADS AS OFTEN AS EVERY SIX MONTHS. STILL HAVE THE SAME SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL WITH TOO MUCH PEDAL TRAVEL. ALSO STILL HAVE LO…

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WE HAVE A 1998 CHEVY Z71 PICKUP AND HAVE HAD FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WE HAVE CONTINUAL BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK. WE HAVE REPLACED ROTORS, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS ALL SEVERAL TIMES. SOMETIMES REPLACING BRAKE PADS AS OFTEN AS EVERY SIX MONTHS. STILL HAVE THE SAME SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL WITH TOO MUCH PEDAL TRAVEL. ALSO STILL HAVE LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES THAN WE SHOULD HAVE. THE TRUCK HAS ALSO HAD THE INTERMITTENT WIPER PROBLEM, THE WIPERS SOMETIMES WORK SOMETIMES NOT, WE PAID FOR A REPLACEMENT WIPER BOARD AND REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. NOW WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD FOGGING UP ESPECIALLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM, IT JUST STARTED WITHIN THE LAST 4 MONTHS AND IS GETTING WORSE. IT WILL FOG UP WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON OR WHEN THE DEFROSTER IS ON. IT IS STARTING TO GET SO BAD THAT YOU CANT SEE THRU THE WINDOW WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137508

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2005
Visibility

1998 CHEVROLET C/K 1500 DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD.*MR THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPAIR THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN 1995-1997 MODELS BUT NOT 1998 WHICH EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10136680

37,000 miles · Apr 14, 2004
Visibility

THE 97 CHEVROLET TRUCK HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHILED WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONING. MINE DID THE SAME THING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY MY MECHANIC.THE DEALER SAYS EVEN THOUGH IT OCCURS ON THE 97S THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE 98S. I KNOW OF OTHER 98S THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10066120

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2003
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED ERRATICALLY, IF AT ALL, AT SPEEDS OTHER THAN WHAT WAS SELECTED ON THE SWITCH. THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE THINGS OFF, IF THEY MANAGED TO COME ON, WAS TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER WOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I DID T…

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WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED ERRATICALLY, IF AT ALL, AT SPEEDS OTHER THAN WHAT WAS SELECTED ON THE SWITCH. THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE THINGS OFF, IF THEY MANAGED TO COME ON, WAS TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER WOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I DID THAT ON MY OWN EXPENSE AND TIME AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REMEDIED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND THE FACT THAT 1998 MODEL C/K VEHICLES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE "RECALL" OF SEVERAL MODELS UP TO 1997 DEFIES COMMON SENSE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10018474

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA02005 · Driver Door Electrical Fires

Opened May 17, 2002 · Closed May 1, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices; Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

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 OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 03V-093 TO THE RECALL.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System

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 OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 03V-093 TO THE RECALL.

Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior

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 OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 03V-093 TO THE RECALL.

Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices

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 OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 03V-093 TO THE RECALL.

EA01013 · Vacuum Brake Booster Failure

Opened May 22, 2001 · Closed Dec 15, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI UPGRADED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO CONDUCT A FULL TECHNICAL ANALYSIS, INCLUDING TESTING.THE TESTING AND ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT A TORN DIAPHRAGM IS A SLOW PROGRESSIVE TYPE OF FAILURE.THE TEAR PROPAGATES IN A SLOW METHODICAL MANNER AND BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS SIMILAR TO AN UNTORN UNIT UNTIL THE TEAR EXCEEDS 1/2 INCH.ODI'S TESTING INDICATES THAT TEARS GREATER THAN 1/2 INCH REQUIRED INCREASED PEDAL EFFORT.HOWEVER, AS THE LENGTH OF THE TEAR INCREASED BEYOND 1/2 INCH, A HISSING SOUND COULD BE HEARD EMITTING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER PLUNGER PASSED THROUGH THE FIREWALL. ODI HAS DETERMINED THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ODI'S COMPLETE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS WITH TEST DATA IS ATTACHED.