Total Complaints
82 filings
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 · model year
82 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998CHEVROLETSILVERADO 2500 carries 82 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 3 fires, 3 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 SILVERADO 2500 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 21 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (4) and latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch (3). 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 SILVERADO 2500, 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.
Total Complaints
82 filings
Crashes Reported
7 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 21 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 4 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 2 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH | 2 |
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK WITH 70K MILES ON IT .HAS BEEN A GOOD TRUCK BUT THE DASH IS COMING APART AND IN THE NEAR FUTURE I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HOLD THE GAUGES IN PLACE. I CAN NOT EVEN BUY A REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE VEHICLE FROM GM AND EVERY PART OUT OF A SALVAGE YARD IS IN THE SAME CONDITION.
Mileage: 192,000
BRAKES WENT OUT COMPLETELY AFTER DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. HAD TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY INTO THE BUSHES TO AVOID HITTING STOPPED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER BRINGING IT HOME, NOTICED THAT THE BRAKELINE TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. SIMILAR LINES DID NOT SHOW SIGN OF CORROSION BUT THIS ONE WAS COMPLETELY DETERIORATED TO THE POINT OF NO REPAIR. *TR
Mileage: 73,560
1998 CHEVROLET K2500. FOR SOME TIME NOW THE TRUCK HAS HAD AN INTERMITTENT WINDSHIELD WIPER ISSUE (DOES NOT WORK WHEN WET.) 03/25/2009 THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT CHEVROLET HAS AN ONGOING REPUTATION FOR THIS ISSUE AND HAVE RECALLS ON EARLIER YEAR MODELS BUT THEIR POSITION IS THAT THESE PROBLEMS ENDED 1997. *TR
Mileage: 168,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET K2500. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. THE PASSENGER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE HUBS. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000.
Mileage: 36,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE IDLING AT A LIGHT OR DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY FAILS. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. IN THE BEGINNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD IMMEDIATELY RESTART, BUT NOW IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN TO RESTART. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,260 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,700. UPDATED 04/22/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS FINALLY RESOLVED BY REPLACING THE FUEL INJECTION DRIVER MODULE.
Mileage: 63,700
SEVERE VEHICLE FRAME CORROSION/RUSTING OF FRONT FRAME EXTENSIONS, PARTICULARLY IN AREA OF STEERING BOX MOUNTING ON SEVERAL AGENCY OWNED 1998 -2000 MODEL CHEVROLET PICKUP TRUCKS. DISPOSITION IS SCRAPPING VEHICLES AS BEYOND ECONOMICAL REPAIR AND UNSAFE TO OPERATE. *NM
Mileage: 134,847
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL SOLENOID DRIVER HAD FAILED.
Mileage: 66,500
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE INJECTOR PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED
Mileage: 192,000
BOUGHT A 1998 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 IN DECEMBER 2005 WITH APPROXIMATELY 132,300 MILES PRIVATE SALE. ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO I HAD A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB DONE $1,000 (NEW EVERYTHING) NOT BY A CHEVY DEALER. I WAS SHOWN THE OLD BRAKE COMPONENTS, THE REARS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND THERE WAS NO WEAR ON THE PADS. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS BECAUSE THEY HADN'T BEEN ENGAGING. THERE WAS CORROSION IN THE FRONT AND EXTREME WEAR. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK TO THE SHOP THREE TIMES BECAUSE IT WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT UPON BRAKING, AND STOPPING WAS EITHER REALLY TOUCHY (LOCKING UP) OR A BIT DELAYED. EACH TIME THEY REPLACED PARTS AND LOOKED AT IT FOR FREE. THE THIRD TIME THE REPAIR SHOP SAID "IT WAS SOMETHING RELATED TO THE ABS SYSTEM, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO A CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED". I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE 1999-2002 GENERAL MOTORS SAFETY RECALL FOR A DEFECT THAT WILL CAUSE CORROSION ON THE SPEED SENSORS AND "MAY CAUSE UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS". THIS IS THE PROB
Mileage: 133,000
DT: WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE SKIDS. IT DOES STOP BUT THE BRAKES SQUEAL. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL IN SANDY OR SNOWY CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SERVICE SHOP, WHO NOTED THERE WAS RUST ON THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE ADJUSTING PAD, WHICH LITERALLY FELL APART UPON INSPECTION. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO MODEL YEAR. THE DEALER SAID THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY ROAD SALT. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT HAD ANY REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS DONE. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED GM/CHEVROLET AT THIS TIME REGARDING THE BRAKE PROBLEM. *AK *NM
Mileage: 46,081
DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT, APPLYING BRAKES AND THE ANTI-LOCK KICKED IN. THE TRUCK (K-2500 EXT CAB 4X4) WOULDN'T STOP. I QUICKLY USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, NO ONE COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES! I HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. TAKING TO THE DEALER AND STILL THEY FOUND NOTHING.. IT AMAZES ME THAT AFTER MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, THEY TOLD ME THE ANTI-LOCK SENSORS IN THE FRONT HUBS WERE BAD AND IT WOULD COST OVER $1,200 PER SIDE TO FIX!! I JUST DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK... THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS SO THE CONSUMER DOESN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR FAULTY PARTS INSTALLED AND THE LACK OF THE ASE CERTIFIED MECHANICS TO FIND THIS PROBLEM UNTIL MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED!! HOW CONVENIENT FOR THEM!! I WANT MY VEHICLE FIXED AT NO COST TO ME. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE! *JB
Mileage: 2,000
REPEATED ABS BRAKE FAILURE...HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. TAILGATE HANDLE FAILURE. DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE, LOCK MECHANISM & WINDOW TRACK DEFECTIVE
Mileage: 43,000
REPEATED ABS BRAKE FAILURE...HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. TAILGATE HANDLE FAILURE. DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE, LOCK MECHANISM & WINDOW TRACK DEFECTIVE
Mileage: 43,000
REPEATED ABS BRAKE FAILURE...HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. TAILGATE HANDLE FAILURE. DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE, LOCK MECHANISM & WINDOW TRACK DEFECTIVE
Mileage: 43,000
ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATING AT LOW SPEEDS, SOMETIMES MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE CONDITION IS INTERMITTENT & WILL SURPRISE THE DRIVER.
TAILGATE CABLE ON LEFT SIDE BROKE . *JB
Mileage: 97,000
THE ABS BRAKES ON MY TRUCK HAVE NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY AND, IF YOU BRAKE HARD AND HIT A LITTLE BUMP IN THE ROAD AT THE SAME TIME, THE BRAKES CUT LOOSE AND DON'T STOP. AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN 2000 DUE TO THE BRAKES NOT WORKING. WHEN YOU HIT THEM HARD, THEY CUT OUT. COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES TO 3 DIFFERENT CHEVROLET DEALERS, AND WAS TOLD THAT THAT WAS A NORMAL BRAKE FUNCTIONING. HAVE CHANGED BRAKE PADS SEVERAL TIMES AND BRAKE ROTORS AND HASN'T HELPED A BIT. TRUCK IS SCARY TO DRIVE. ONLY HAVE 56000 MILES ON IT DUE TO TREPIDATION IN USING IT. HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW.*AK
Mileage: 20,000
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEM. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK, AND THEN INADVERTENTLY STOP WORKING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. *AK ... CONSUMER CONTACT CHEVROLET AND PROVIDED VIN, BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL APPLICABLE TO MAKE/MODEL, AND YEAR. *AK
Mileage: 97,000
IN JANUARY OF 2003 THE SERVICE BRAKE BEGAN RESISTING FOOT PRESSURE AND MAKING A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE WHEN APPROACHING A FULL STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT ON MY 1998 CHEVY PICKUP WITH APROX. 24,000 MILES. BY JULY THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT ALMOST EVERY STOP. THE DEALER FROM WHOM THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED REPAIRED THE REAR BRAKES ($303) AND ADVISED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WITH BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELATED TO THE ABS SYSTEM AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT ROTORS AT A COST OF $1000+. A DEALER MECHANIC TOLD ME THE PROBLEM COULD ELIMINATED BY REMOVE THE BRAKE FUSE (DISABLING THE ABS SYSTEM). I CONFIRMED THIS WITH A LOCAL GARAGE WHO ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE $1000 REPAIR WOULD ONLY TEMPORARILY CURE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE THEREFORE BEEN DRIVING WITH ABS SYSTEM DISABLED, REPLACING THE FUSE ONLY FOR INSPECTIONS AND REMOVING IT IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL PROGRAM WHICH WOULD RESTORE THE USE OF THE ABS SYSTEM. MY TRUCK SERIAL NUMBER IS [XXX]. [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTE
Mileage: 24,000
AFTER DRIVING FOR ONLY A FEW MINUTES CONSUMER HEARD A SOUND COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK ONCE THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO CRACKS ON THE FUEL TANK. *AK
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
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.