1998 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Typical pattern

14.1% of complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 1998 vehicle — around the middle of the 180 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.0 yr in service. The most-reported system is service brakes, hydraulic (30 complaints), typically at 1.8 yr or about 59,000 miles.

Complaints: 85
Median age at failure: 3.0 yr
Median mileage: 78,500 n=21
Crash / fire / tow: 5.9% of reports
Safety recalls: 1

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

06E043000 2006-05-19

Fuel system

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

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.

In owners’ own words

Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 6 mo in service

WHILE SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEED 55MPH+, THE BRAKE SYSTEM TAKES VERY LONG TIME TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. IN HEAVY RAINFALL, THE PROBLEM TENDS TO BE EXAGGERATED EVEN WORSE. EVEN AT VERY SLOW SPEED 5-10 MPH, WHEN BRAKES APPLIED THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP, CAUSING ON OR BOTH OF THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK AND SKID. PEDAL WILL THEN VIBRATE OR SHAKE AS IN EXPERIENCED WITH AN ABS SYSTEM UNDER FULL-BRAKING CONDITIONS.

Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 11 mo in service

THE VEHICLE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING MORE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE BRAKE PADS, AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO LOCK UP AT EVERY 3,000 TO 4,000 MILES. DEALER REPORTED THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT NO SOLUTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK