1998 Chevrolet Pickup problems & reliability
50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Chevrolet Pickup. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 15 | 30% |
| Power Train | 9 | 18% |
| Tires | 6 | 12% |
| Visibility | 6 | 12% |
| Electrical System | 5 | 10% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 10% |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 6% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 4% |
| Suspension | 2 | 4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“I bought 4 after market custom wheels for my 1998 chevrolet 4wheel drive p/u truck from american racing products, in 2003, 2 have cracked, and now they are willing to put a cheaper set of wheels on my truck, not to my liking, I've asked for better designed wheel, almost the same price and the want me to pay over…”
Equipment · filed Apr 2, 2008
“The windshield wiper motor relay malfunctioned,causing the windshield wipers to stop functioning. Also, manifold intake gasket leaked antifreeze, and had to be replaced. *ak the previous year make/model with the same problem have been recalled. *sc”
Visibility · filed Oct 8, 2003
“Windshield wipers failed. Dealer notified. *ak the windshield wiper control circuit board failed and needed to be replaced under the special policy #02054. *scc *jb”
Visibility · filed May 27, 2003
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
5 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Chevrolet Pickup.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please…
PIT3227J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 28, 2014
This 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.
PIT3665C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 6, 2012
Subject regarding lubrication of propeller shaft double cardan cv type u-joint centering ball and seat.*nlm
020090002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2002
The screw that secures the left and center insulator panels together, underneath the I/p on the driver's side may pull the one push/insert nut out of the center insulator panel causing, the instrument panel(I/p)…
868307 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 1998
Four wheel drive inoperative and the 4wd service light will illuminate. Diagnosis may reveal that the atc fuse could be open, possible dtc c0308, or various u codes may be set. The encoder motor may also be shorted or…
3389 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions ·
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1998 Chevrolet Pickup in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1998 Chevrolet Pickup?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.