1998 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

67 federal complaints (100 component records) · 0 recall campaigns on file · 17 service bulletins
See all 32 model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 →
EPA economy
Not rated (heavy-duty)
Federal complaints
67
Recall campaigns
0
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Brakes
34
Tires
11
Suspension
8
Power train
7
Fuel system
7
Speed control
6
Steering
5
Diesel fuel system
4
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 11 complaints01 years old: 12 complaints2 years old: 7 complaints3 years old: 3 complaints4 years old: 4 complaints5 years old: 1 complaints56 years old: 2 complaints7 years old: 2 complaints8 years old: 2 complaints9 years old: 1 complaints10 years old: 2 complaints1011 years old: 2 complaints12 years old: 3 complaints13 years old: 1 complaints14 years old: 0 complaints15 years old: 0 complaints1516 years old: 0 complaints17 years old: 0 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 0 complaints20+ years old: 0 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 53 of 67 complaints with a usable failure date.

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Brakes

34 complaint records3 crash reports
"BRAKE HOSE COLLAPSED CAUSING RF CALIPER TO STAY ENGAGED CAUSING EXCESSIVE AND UNEVEN BRAKE PAD WEAR, WARPED ROTORS. NLM..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →

Tires

11 complaint records
"WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT. DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR THE TIRES. DEMON, GROUNDHOG 2, 361450R165LT. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse tires parts in the directory →

Suspension

8 complaint records
"WHILE DRIVING 30-50 MPH FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES AND RATTLES, AND STEERING WHEEL JERKS, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
17-NA-073
Feb 2023
EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
PIT3665L
Oct 2022
Service BrakesThis Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
PIP4723D
Jan 2020
Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving...
PIC4696E
Nov 2019
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
PIC4696D
Sep 2019
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
Show 12 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
PIT3665H
Jun 2019
Service BrakesThis Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
PIC4696C
May 2018
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
PIP4723C
Sep 2017
TiresThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving...
PIP4723B
Feb 2017
Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving...
16NA260
Aug 2016
EquipmentTHIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE MEDIA DISC PLAYER WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED IN COLDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AREAS DUE TO CALIBRATION CONCERNS.
Recalls
Jun 2014
EquipmentVehicle Recalls
05-06-04-035D
May 2014
Fuel SystemThis informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle.
130089009
Sep 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingExpanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
010604037B
Oct 2001
Fuel SystemINFORMATION REGARDING FUEL TRANSFER PUMP INOPERATIVE. *YH
270801
Aug 2001
Fuel SystemINFORMATION REGARDING COLLAPSED FUEL TANK INCLUDING GMT 400 SIERRA AND CHEVROLET PICK-UP. *YH
010730002B
May 2001
Unknown Or OtherMALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) IS ON; THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN THIRD GEAR; AND / OR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS INOPERATIVE. *TT
010730021
May 2001
Power TrainTHIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN STATES THAT TECHNICIANS MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY IN REMOVING THE CONNECTORS FROM THE PARK / NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH, USUALLY WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE THE SWITCH DURING TRANSMISSION SERVICE. *TT

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
  2. Read the tire date codes and look for uneven wear.Uneven wear on this vehicle often points back to the suspension. Four different date codes tell their own story.
  3. Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
  4. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Chevrolet Silverado 3500 →