1998 Chevrolet C6500 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES, MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND TRACTORS BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU), THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 C6500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V232008.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES, MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND TRACTORS BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU), THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 14, 2000 FOR THE B7 SERIES SCHOOL BUSES AND ON MARCH 15, 2001, FOR THE MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND TRACTORS. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1022 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AIR BRAKES AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS. CHAFFING OF THE ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROL HARNESS CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL GROUNDING CONDITION. THIS WILL ILLUMINATE A WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SHUT OFF THE ABS FEATURE.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE FRONT BRAKES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HARNESS FOR CHAFFING AND PROPER ROUTING AND WILL REPAIR IF NECESSARY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 C6500.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V073000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AIR BRAKES AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS. CHAFFING OF THE ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROL HARNESS CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL GROUNDING CONDITION. THIS WILL ILLUMINATE A WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SHUT OFF THE ABS FEATURE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE FRONT BRAKES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HARNESS FOR CHAFFING AND PROPER ROUTING AND WILL REPAIR IF NECESSARY.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 24, AND JULY 30, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Portable jump starter
- 1998 Chevrolet C6500 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Steering (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
03/04/2003 · Steering
THE STEERING BOX MALFUNCTIONED. *NLM