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1998 GMC Envoy

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 10 of 19 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

19 reports
128,469 miles · Oct 15, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY WITH MULTIPLE STOPLIGHTS. AS A LIGHT TURNED RED, I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ACCOMPANIED BY THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PULLED OFF INTO A PARKING LOT AND DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT REAR …

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I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY WITH MULTIPLE STOPLIGHTS. AS A LIGHT TURNED RED, I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ACCOMPANIED BY THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PULLED OFF INTO A PARKING LOT AND DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN THE STEEL BRAKE LINE THAT GOES TO THE REAR BRAKES. ALL OF THE STEEL LINES ON THIS VEHICLE (BRAKES, FUEL LINES) ARE SEVERELY CORRODED ALONG WITH THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THIS VEHICLE. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS NEW AND IT'S BEEN LOCATED IN DELAWARE WHICH GENERALLY HAS VERY LITTLE SNOW (AND THEREFORE SALT) DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THIS BRAKE FAILURE AND THE CONDITION OF THE FUEL LINES ARE A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AND WARRANTS AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. HAD I BEEN GOING SLIGHTLY FASTER OR HAD BEEN TOWING, I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE OR LOSS OF LIFE. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. I CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW WITHOUT REPLACING ALL OF THESE LINES--THE CONDITION OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THIS VEHICLE IS INEXCUSABLE AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430282

77,000 miles · May 17, 2006
Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DIP IN THE ROAD AND THE REAR LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE BODY TO DROP TO THE GROUND. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED NEAR THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO A DEALER. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DIP IN THE ROAD AND THE REAR LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE BODY TO DROP TO THE GROUND. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED NEAR THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO A DEALER. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE FRACTURED LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE IS WAITING REPAIR

NHTSA ODI #10157719

90,000 miles · May 4, 2005
Service Brakes, Air

PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR; ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICK IN AT LOW SPEEDS 5-10 MPH

NHTSA ODI #10119811

50,000 miles · Feb 16, 2005
Structure

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DID NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. WHEN THE DOOR WAS LOCKED, IT WOULD COME OFF OF THE HINGE AND WAS PARTIALLY OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THIS WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10102077

62,000 miles · Dec 7, 2004
Visibility

ON DEC. 7, 2004, IT WAS A VERY RAINY DAY AND OF COURSE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY WOULD TURN OFF, OR THEY WOULD TURN ON TO FULL WIPING WHEN I HAD THEM SET FOR INTERMITTENT WIPING. THEY ALSO WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN I TURNED THEM OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THIS FIRST HAPPEND IN O…

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ON DEC. 7, 2004, IT WAS A VERY RAINY DAY AND OF COURSE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY WOULD TURN OFF, OR THEY WOULD TURN ON TO FULL WIPING WHEN I HAD THEM SET FOR INTERMITTENT WIPING. THEY ALSO WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN I TURNED THEM OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THIS FIRST HAPPEND IN OCTOBER OF 2002. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT ONLY HAPPENS ONCE IN AWHILE, BUT WHEN YOU BRING IT TO THE DEALER, IT DOESN'T HAPPEN! I NOTIFIED GENERAL MOTORS ABOUT THIS ON AUGUST 11, 2003. CONFIRMATION NUMBER 1-128999107.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102325

92,000 miles · Oct 20, 2004
Visibility

WIPER MALFUNCTION WITH EXACT SYMPTOMS THAT THE NEWER GMC SUV ARE HAVING. MECHANICS ARE USING THE SAME PART ON ALL VEHICLES AND IT OCCURS SPIRATICALLY. DEALERS ARE SAYING THIS CONTROLLING DEVICE IS COMMON TO HAVE THIS OCCUR. THE WIPER MOTOR SOMETIMES JUST STOP OR CHANGE SPEED ON IT'S OWN AND IT HAS BE OCCURING FROM 96 TO CURRE…

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WIPER MALFUNCTION WITH EXACT SYMPTOMS THAT THE NEWER GMC SUV ARE HAVING. MECHANICS ARE USING THE SAME PART ON ALL VEHICLES AND IT OCCURS SPIRATICALLY. DEALERS ARE SAYING THIS CONTROLLING DEVICE IS COMMON TO HAVE THIS OCCUR. THE WIPER MOTOR SOMETIMES JUST STOP OR CHANGE SPEED ON IT'S OWN AND IT HAS BE OCCURING FROM 96 TO CURRENT AND THEY ONLY WANT TO REPLACE CERTAIN ONES. I OWN A 98 GMC ENVOY AND THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT WHEN IT DOES IT IS DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING IN THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHEN IT IS RAINING.

NHTSA ODI #10096096

75,000 miles · May 7, 2004
Suspension

ON MONDAY, 5/3/04, MY SON BACKED OUR 1998 GMC ENVOY OUT OF HIS GARAGE. THE LEFT FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO GMC DEALER, THE BALL JOINT AND CV JOINTS FAILED. DEALER ADVISED US RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR GMC JIMMYS UP TO 1996 YEAR, BUT NOTHING FOR 1998. HAD MY SON BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SERIOUS INJURY O…

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ON MONDAY, 5/3/04, MY SON BACKED OUR 1998 GMC ENVOY OUT OF HIS GARAGE. THE LEFT FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO GMC DEALER, THE BALL JOINT AND CV JOINTS FAILED. DEALER ADVISED US RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR GMC JIMMYS UP TO 1996 YEAR, BUT NOTHING FOR 1998. HAD MY SON BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE COULD HAVE RESULTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10068454

43,162 miles · Apr 17, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN MY 1998 GMC ENVOY WITH 43162 MILES STOPPED ACCELERATING. WHEN I STEPPED HARDER ON THE GAS, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT REV AND POWER BEGAN TO RUN OUT FROM THE ENGINE. THE MOTOR STALLED AND YET THE ELECTRICITY WAS STILL ON IN THE CAR. I BEGAN TO LOSE BRAKING POWER AND STEERING BECAME HARDER.…

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I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN MY 1998 GMC ENVOY WITH 43162 MILES STOPPED ACCELERATING. WHEN I STEPPED HARDER ON THE GAS, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT REV AND POWER BEGAN TO RUN OUT FROM THE ENGINE. THE MOTOR STALLED AND YET THE ELECTRICITY WAS STILL ON IN THE CAR. I BEGAN TO LOSE BRAKING POWER AND STEERING BECAME HARDER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, TURN OFF AND TURN THE CAR BACK ON AGAIN. BUT THE CAR STALLED AGAIN AND AGAIN, FIVE (5) TIMES IN SIX (6) MILES. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS BACK, AND HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENLY. I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT HAPPENED WHEN I GOT BELOW 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS, BUT TONIGHT I WAS AT HALF A TANK. THE ONLY THING I NOTICED WAS THE OOIL PRESSURE GAGUE WAS AT SLIGHTLY RIGHT OF MIDDLE, LIKE AROUND 60 I THINK, WHICH HAPPENS ONLY OCCASIONALLY. FINALLY I GOT HOME AND, WITH THE CAR IN PARK, PUT CONTINUOUS EVEN PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE NUMBER OF RPMS WAS VARYING, BY UP TO 1000 OR 1500, FROM 3500 DOWN TO 2000 -- UP AND BACK CONTINUOUSLY BUT NOT ON AN EVEN CYCLE. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THIS HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER BEFORE TO REPORT THIS (SINCE AROUND 1998 OR 1999) BUT THIS KEEPS HAPPENING. I ONLY HAD THOSE FEW SECONDS WHEN THE MOTOR WAS NOT ACCELERATING BUT THE CAR HAD NOT YET STALLED TO REACT -- PUT ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS, PULL OFF THE ROAD, COME TO A STOP -- AND LUCKILY I KNEW WHAT TO DO OR ELSE I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BY SOMEONE REAR-ENDING MY CAR. PLEASE HELP, I AM TERRIFIED OF THE CAR AND HAVE LOST ALL CONFIDENCE IN IT, YET AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10066384

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2004
Visibility

WHEN DRIVING UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT UNEXPECTEDLY AND THEN CAME BACK ON. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10058007

35,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Unknown Or Other

WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY I DID HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS GOING COMPLETELY OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE BLINKED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR A REPAIR AND MENTIONING ALL THE LITTLE THINGS THAT WERE NOT WORKING BEFORE THE WARRRANTY WAS UP I HAD MENTIONED THAT ALONG WITH A FEW OT…

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WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY I DID HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS GOING COMPLETELY OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE BLINKED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR A REPAIR AND MENTIONING ALL THE LITTLE THINGS THAT WERE NOT WORKING BEFORE THE WARRRANTY WAS UP I HAD MENTIONED THAT ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER MINOR COMPLAINTS. THE DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS. I DID HAVE A PROBLEM ALSO WITH THE ALIGNMENT AND THEY SAID THAT WAS FINE ALSO AND IT WAS NOT FIXED. BUT IT DEFINATLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THAT ALSO. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME LATER ON WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. BUT THEY DID COME BACK ON AFTER A FEW SECONDS. IT IS A VERY SCARY FEELING WHEN DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY AT NIGHT AND THE LIGHT GO OUT. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE NOW. MY VEHICLE HAS 55,000 ON IT. I THINK THAT IS TO PREMATURE TO HAVE SUCH AN EXPENSIVE SAFETY PROBLEM. I DID CALL THE DEALER AND HE SAID THAT THE LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR REPLACEMENT IS LIKE $1,200. THEY ONLY MADE THAT LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR 2 YEARS AND I CAN SEE WHY. IT IS FAULTY. HAS THERE BEEN OTHER PROBLEMS? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #10070479

Official recalls

2

00V375000 · Structure:body

Nov 13, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONSOLE COVER/ARMREST CAM LATCH THAT COULD RELEASE AT LESS THAN THE REQUIRED LOAD OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DURING A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURY AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.

98V097001 · Exterior Lighting

Sep 28, 1998

THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 2,600, ARE LOCATED LESS THAN 100MM FROM THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD WARNING LAMPS, AND ARE NOT DEACTIVATED WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL OR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS ARE ACTIVATED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR DRIVERS OF ONCOMING VEHICLES TO SEE THE TURN SIGNAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BODY CONTROL MODULE AND REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE WITH A NEW CALIBRATION THAT WILL TURN THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS OFF WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL OR HAZARD WARNING FLASHER IS ACTIVATED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.