Chevrolet Pickup · model year

1998 Chevrolet Pickup

87 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
87
Recalls
0

The verdict

The 1998 Chevrolet Pickup posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

17th pctile
complaint volume, own model years
0
recall campaigns

The 1998ChevroletPickup carries 87 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1998 Pickup is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 13 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (8) and tires (5). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1998 Pickup, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

87
Complaints
7
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
1998 Chevrolet Pickup

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

87 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP13
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR8
TIRES5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP5
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
TIRES:SIDEWALL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS2
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT1
SEATS1

Recent Complaints

20101202VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET PICK-UP. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE STILL IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY THEY COULD PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

Mileage: 166,000

20090105SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET PICK UP. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH AND COMING TO A SLOW STOP, THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MOSTLY OCCURS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY CHANGED THE ENTIRE BRAKES AND LINES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Mileage: 113,000

20080402WHEELS

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 $300.00 DIFFERENCE THAT IS NOT I FEEL FAIR TO ME. I AM GLAD THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT,YET. *TR

20080402EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

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 $300.00 DIFFERENCE THAT IS NOT I FEEL FAIR TO ME. I AM GLAD THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT,YET. *TR

20070316ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT AC DELCO BATTERY MODEL # 78-6YR FOR THE 1998 CHEVROLET PICKUP WITH 30,000 FAILURE MILEAGE LEAKS ACID. CERTAIN AC DELCO BATTERIES MANUFACTURED IN 2000 AND 2001 WITH SIDE POSTS TERMINAL HAD THE POTENTIAL TO LEAK ACID THROUGH THE TERMINALS. THIS FAILURE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CORRODE FRAMES, SHEET METAL, BRAKE LINES, BATTERY LEADS AND FUEL LINES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.*AK UPDATE *4/23/07TR

Mileage: 30,000

20041209SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO STOP. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED. *JB...*AK

20041201STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

LIFTGATE CABLES BROKE TWICE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS BOTH TIMES , BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.*AK

20041012VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER HAD TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO LIFT THE HOOD AND HIT THE WIPER MOTOR OR MOVE THE WIPER TO MAKE THEM WORK. . PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

Mileage: 141,000

20041012VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE DRIVER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED PROBABLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

20040406FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

SOMETHING THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE IS COMING IN CONTACTING WITH THE FUEL TANK CREATING A HOLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE. THERE IS A RECALL BY THE CHEVROLET MFR. HOWEVER, THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED. *MR THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED 10 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. *NM

Mileage: 70,000

20040326TIRES:TREAD/BELT

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING FELT A JERK, CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE, GOT OUT, AND DISCOVERED THAT TIRE TREAD SHREDDED. THESE TIRES REPLACED THE ORIGINAL ONES WHICH WERE ON RECALL. TIRES HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON THEM. *AK

Mileage: 50,000

20031209VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING. *AK

Mileage: 35,000

20031020SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. CONSUMER TRAVELED THE REST OF THE WAY HOME DOING LESS THAN 10 MPH. THE BRAKE ROTORS HAD SPLIT IN HALF AND WERE BARELY FUNCTIONAL. MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, BUT WOULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BACK IN 1993/1994. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT TOTALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. *NLM

Mileage: 150,000

20031015VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED AT VARIOUS TIMES. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE DRIVER HAD TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND JIGGLE A WIRE LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *AK THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. *SCC *JB

20031008VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

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

20031008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

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

20031007VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

1998 CHEVROLET PICK UP- PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS SYSTEM. *MR THE WIPERS WERE INTERMITTENT, EVEN WHEN THE SWITCH WAS ON THE LOW OR HIGH POSITION. THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *SCC *JB

20030924VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

20030811ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. DEALER STATED WIRES FUSED TOGETHER. *AK

20030730SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN COMING TO A STOP FRONT WHEEL SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING ABS SYSTEM TO COME ON, AND VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Compare 1998ChevroletPickup to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet Pickup have?▼
The 1998 Chevrolet Pickup has 87 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Pickup?▼
The most-complained component for the 1998 Chevrolet Pickup is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR and TIRES.
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Pickup 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.

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1998 Chevrolet Pickup; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.