1998 Chevrolet Express 3500 problems
The Chevrolet Express (also known as the GMC Savana) is a series of full-size vans produced by General Motors since 1996. The successor to the Chevrolet G-series van, the Express is produced in passenger and cargo variants. Alongside the standard van body, the line is offered as a cutaway van chassis; the latter vehicle is a chassis cab variant developed for commercial-grade applications, including ambulances, buses, motorhomes, and small trucks.
In production for a single generation since 1995, over 2.5 million examples of the Express and the Savana have been produced. One of the longest-produced designs in American automotive history, the Express/Savana are rivaled only by the Jeep Wagoneer and Dodge Ram Van for longevity.
Since 1995, General Motors has assembled the Express and Savana at its Wentzville Assembly facility (Wentzville, Missouri). Also, since 2017, GM has sourced commercial cutaway-chassis production from Navistar through its Springfield Assembly Plant (Springfield, Ohio).
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Common 1998 Chevrolet Express 3500 problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 1998 Chevrolet Express 3500, common problems reported include:
- Corrosion and Overheating of Power Window Switches:
More than 200,000 Express and GMC Savana vans, including the 1998 Chevrolet Express 3500, have experienced problems with the power window switches. Liquid entering the switch can cause corrosion, leading to high electrical resistance. This resistance can result in the switch overheating, smoking, melting, and potentially causing a fire. Owners should be cautious and address this issue to prevent any safety risks associated with the power window switches.
These problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any reported issues to ensure the safety and reliability of the 1998 Chevrolet Express 3500.
How many miles does a Chevy Express 3500 last?
The 2019 Chevrolet Express lasts around 200,000 miles, with some alternator and A/C issues reported. At $24,975 to $39,975, it's a decent value for a practical old-school full-size van if you need to haul a lot of people or cargo.
How many miles per gallon does a Chevy Express 3500?
Fuel Economy
| City | 11 mpg |
|---|---|
| Highway | 16 mpg |
| Combined | 12 mpg |
Are Chevy Express vans reliable?
The Chevrolet Express 1500 Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 9th out of 21 for commercial vans. The average annual repair cost is $963 which means it has poor ownership costs.
Why does my Chevy Express 3500 stall at idle?
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Express 3500 engine stalling are the fuel system, the air intake system, or the ignition system.
How many miles does a Chevy Express 3500 last?
The 2021 Chevrolet Express lasts around 200,000 miles, with some average wheel noise and fuel pump issues reported.
Are Chevy Express vans reliable?
The Chevrolet Express 1500 Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 9th out of 21 for commercial vans. The average annual repair cost is $963 which means it has poor ownership costs.
How many MPG does a Chevy Express 3500 get?
Fuel Economy
| City | 12 mpg |
|---|---|
| Highway | 16 mpg |
| Combined | 14 mpg |
What's the difference between 2500 and 3500 Chevy Express van?
The difference between the 2500 and 3500 models are in the gross weight each can handle and the payload. The 2500 can carry up to 8,600 pounds and tow up to 3234 pounds. The 3500 can carry up to 9900 pounds and two up to 4,192 pounds.
1998 Chevrolet Express 3500 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Express 3500 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1998 Chevrolet Express 3500 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1998 Chevrolet Express 3500 complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1998 Chevrolet Express 3500.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-05-06
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP SAFELY AND WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 163,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-02-14
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-06-25
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: WE CURRENTLY OWN A 1998 AND A 2000 EXPRESS VAN AND WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON BOTH OF THEM, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS (THE 'DOUBLE DOORS') ARE SEIZING UP. WE TRIED TO LUBRICATE THEM BUT IT HASN'T HELPED ANY. THE ONE DOOR ON THE 1998 HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT WE CAN'T EVEN OPEN THE LEFT HAND SIDE DOOR BECAUSE IT IS SO HARD TO SHUT AND IT HAS ALREADY STARTED TO BECOME OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD AS WE HAVE 6 CHILDREN, 3 OF WHICH HAVE TO SIT IN THE BACK SEAT AND IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN TO GET THEM OUT FASTER. WE HAVE HAD A DEALER DRILL HOLES IN THE HINGES TO LUBRICATE THEM, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A TEMPORARY AND EVENTUALLY INEFFECTIVE FIX TO A MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR
Additional sources
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