AI Damage1998 Chevrolet P30: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Chevrolet P30 filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about parking brake and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Parking brake 44% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 33% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 11% of all complaints
- Parking brake: 4 complaints (44% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (33% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (11% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking brake | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet p30 truck. The contact stated that while he driving 20-30 mph, the automatic braking system (abs) engaged without warning, causing the vehicle to halt to a complete stop.
The auto park brake on my 1998 chevrolet p30 (winnebago motorhome) failed while in a mountainous region. I viewed the web and found numerous incidences since 1995. I understand that this problem has been reported to you prior. Please help resolve this matter. Although no fire there was a lot of smoke. Thanks.
The examination of the complaint vehicle disclosed that the problems were soley related to improper adjustment of the systems or worn parking brake shoes. A defect safety trend was not identified. General motors corporation agreed to send a safety advisory letter to all owners of these vehicles.
Pressure switch on the hydraulic system leaked and caused the auto park/emergency brake to fail.
Auto park/emergency brake, system on gm p-30 chassis pressure switch goes out applying the emergency brake either, while moving or parked. At moving speeds it immediately stops you in seconds potentially allowing someone to crash into you from behind because of the sudden stop.many owners have had this problem, they…
When driving 60 mph, engine will shut down completely loosing all power, control and steering with no warning. Five different dealers have looked at the motorhome, working several fuel components/tank and crankshaft position sensor replaced. *jball failures occurred at temperatures above 90 degrees except the last.
Power steering gear box comes loose while driving. Dealer has inspected and tightened the gear box twice. The gear box loosened causing front wheels out of alignment and front tires to wear.
The light comes on & then would go off. It also can happen while idling. Speed is not a factor. Taking vehicle to dealer.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,366 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).
On average one model year of the P30 has 4 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 9, above average.
What to check before buying
- Parking brake. Electric parking brake, codes, calipers.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet P30?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: parking brake, service brakes, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rollaway, parking brake (11%), smoke, burning smell, fire (11%), steering or power steering problems (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Chevrolet P30?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Chevrolet P30 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1998 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.