Total Complaints
27 filings
CHEVROLET EXPRESS · model year
1998 CHEVROLET EXPRESS
27 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998CHEVROLETEXPRESS carries 27 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 EXPRESS is tires with 3 filings, followed by tires:tread/belt (3) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1998 EXPRESS, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
27
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| TIRES | 3 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20060120ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
FAILURE OF INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT AT 42000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 90008 MILES. *NM
Mileage: 42,233
20030908STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HINGE BROKE COMPLETELY OFF WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING APPLIED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE DOOR WAS NOT FREQUENTLY USED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE HINGE, THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. *AK THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE PIN SEIZED UP DUE TO NO LUBRICATION. *JB
Mileage: 61,125
20030402STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE DOOR HINGES FROZE UP AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO CLOSE THE DOOR WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR TO BE MISALIGNED. *JB PH *JB
Mileage: 80,000
20021029SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
20021029SUSPENSION:REAR
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR AXLE FAILED CAUSING OIL TO LINK FROM THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
20021010FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
SMELLED GASOLINE AND SAW FUEL DRIPPING FROM SIDE AND BOTTOM OF VAN...VAN SPUTTERED TO STOP, LOST POWER STEERING BUT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO CLOSED GARAGE PARKING LOT...DETERMINED PLASTIC FUEL LINE WAS PUNCTURED--THEY TOLD ME PART(FUEL LINE) WAS DISCONTINUED!??
20020325TIRES:TREAD/BELT
I NOTICED A CONTINUOUS TIRE THUMP" AND STOPPED THE VEHICAL AND CHECKED THE TIRES. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD A FLAT SPOT IN THE CENTER OF THE TREAD, ABOUT 2IN X 1.5 IN. THERE WERE NO OTHER ABNORMATITIES. AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MORE MILES THE "THUMP" GOT ALOT MORE APPARENT AND I HEARD A LOUD "CLINKING" NOISE. I STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE TIRE AND FOUND THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE OVER ABOUT A 12 IN. OF LENGTH WHERE THE STEEL BELT STOPS AT THE SIDE WALL. THE TREAD WAS STILL INTACT. I BELEIVE THAT IF I HAD NOT STOPPED WHEN I DID THAT TOTAL SEPERATION OF THE TREAD WOULD HAVE OCCURED WITHIN THE NEXT MILE OR SO. I HAVE THE TIRE IF YOU NEED TO INSPECT IT AND/OR I CAN SEND YOU PHOTOS .*AK (DOT NUMBER: VN1181A098 TIRESIZE: LT 245/ 75)
20011012TIRES:TREAD/BELT
AIR TEMPERATURE 100 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, AIR PRESSURE IN TIRE CHECKED AT 80 PSI COLD, SPEED 60MPH. THIS IS THE THIRD TIRE OF THIS SIZE AND MAKE, MADE IN CANADA. THIS ONE AND OTHER TWO HAD ABOUT 9 TO 10 THOUSAND MILES ON THE ROAD. EACH SUFFERED A TREAD SEPARATION. OTHERS HAD ODI#735190. *AK (DOT NUMBER: TPC 2012MS TIRESIZE: 24575R16 E)
20010725SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE PROBLEM IS IN BUCKLE FAILURES AND RETRACTOR FAILURES. RIVERSIDE VANS (CONVERSION CO.) SAID THEY HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THESE BELTS. I HAVE HAD 4 FAILURES. MFR. IS ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS. *AK
20010723STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
20010418TIRES
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE WAS SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL. PULLED OVER AND NOTICED TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT.*AK CONSUMER STATES TIRE PEELED BACK AND BELT SEPARATED.*JB
20010316SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
VARIOUS SEAT BELTS (RETRACTORS AND BUCKLES) HAVE FAILED. CONVERSION BY RIVERSIDE VANS, COLON, MI. *AK
20010316SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
VARIOUS SEAT BELTS (RETRACTORS AND BUCKLES) HAVE FAILED. CONVERSION BY RIVERSIDE VANS, COLON, MI. *AK
20010228ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE SHAKES AND RATTLES, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. SIDE CARGO DOOR WILL NOT LATCH AT BOTTOM, DEALER STATED RIGHT SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH LINK WAS MISALIGNED. *SLC
20010228FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
ENGINE SHAKES AND RATTLES, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. SIDE CARGO DOOR WILL NOT LATCH AT BOTTOM, DEALER STATED RIGHT SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH LINK WAS MISALIGNED. *SLC
20010228LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
ENGINE SHAKES AND RATTLES, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. SIDE CARGO DOOR WILL NOT LATCH AT BOTTOM, DEALER STATED RIGHT SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH LINK WAS MISALIGNED. *SLC
20001025TIRES
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH 14 PASSENGERS WHEN I FELT THE VAN START TO RIDE ROUGH AND THEN FELT A FLAPPING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. I THEN PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO FIND THE TIRE HAD COMPLETELY SHREDDED THE OUTER LAYER, BUT DID NOT BLOW OUT.*AK (TIRESIZE: 245/75R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245/75R16 )
20001013TIRES:TREAD/BELT
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BRING HER CAR POOL HOME WITH SIX CHILDREN. SHE HEARD A LOUD THUMPING SOUND OCCUR ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE TIRE DID NOT BURST BUT WE LOST A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE TREAD. WE HAVE HAD THE TIRES REPLACED WITH GOODYEAR TIRES. THE SAME DAY THIS HAPPENED WE HEARD THESE TIRES WERE ALSO BEING INVESTIGATED. WE STILL HAVE THE TIRES IN OUR POSSESSION. (DOT NUMBER: VN11B1A307 TIRESIZE: LT245/75R1)
20000926TIRES
I HAD SOME VIBRATION THEN THE TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE VAN. II DROVE ON THE REMAING AIR BLADDER TILL I COULD GET THE TIRE REPLACED. THE DOT NUMBER I GVE YOU IS NOT FROM THE DAMAGED TIRE BUT 1 OF THE ORIGINAL 5 TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE.( DOT NUMBER: VN11B1A058 TIRE SIZE: LT24575R16 )
20000413SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
PADS ARE WEARING OUT FROM THE INSIDE WITHOUT ANY WARNING GIVEN. BECAUSE PADS FROM OUTSIDE DO NOT WEAR OUT, SENSOR CANNOT WARN THE DRIVER .PADS WERE REPLACED 7 TIMES WITHIN 12 MONTHS, AND DEALER COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK
Compare 1998CHEVROLETEXPRESS to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1998 CHEVROLET EXPRESS have?▼
The 1998 CHEVROLET EXPRESS has 27 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 CHEVROLET EXPRESS?▼
The most-complained component for the 1998 CHEVROLET EXPRESS is TIRES with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:TREAD/BELT and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 1998 CHEVROLET EXPRESS safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.