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: 3 of 33 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 5 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 reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
33 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2022
Electrical System
GM theft system engaged leaving me stranded multiple times including on a remote mountain side. I was only able to get a cell signal by walking a few KM's down the road in the middle of the night to call for help. When I was able to get a hold of the dealer in the morning, they instructed me on how to "relearn" the key code and …
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GM theft system engaged leaving me stranded multiple times including on a remote mountain side. I was only able to get a cell signal by walking a few KM's down the road in the middle of the night to call for help. When I was able to get a hold of the dealer in the morning, they instructed me on how to "relearn" the key code and drive the van to the dealership. They cut a new key and sent me on my way. Since, the van theft system has left me stranded multiple times and me having to spend half an hour or more doing the relearn procedure. Warning lamps include "security' light illuminated on dash. Van starts, runs for 2 seconds and turns off.
NHTSA ODI #11478501
53,000 miles · Feb 22, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS ENGAGES AT LOW SPEEDS OF 5MPH AND BELOW. THIS PRIMARILY HAPPENS WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 05V379000 CONCERNING THE ABS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN AND THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE.…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS ENGAGES AT LOW SPEEDS OF 5MPH AND BELOW. THIS PRIMARILY HAPPENS WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 05V379000 CONCERNING THE ABS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN AND THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
NHTSA ODI #10150898
105,000 miles · Aug 19, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
DT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD NOT CONTACTED GMC AT THIS POINT. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 18, 2005. VEHICLE WAS BURNED COMPLETELY BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE. THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN, PULLED OVER, AND THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE BOTTOM AROUND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10133505
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2004
Structure
THE HINGES ONTHE SIDE DOORS ARE BREAKING CAUSING THE DOORS TO BIND AND NOT ABLE TO OPEN.YOU CANT GET IN OR OUT OF THE VAN USING THE SIDE DOORS. FIST THE INSIDE DOOR BANELS BOUND ON EACH OTHER AND WERE TORN OFF.*AK THE HINGES ARE WELDED TO THE GMC VAN. I CANT REPLACE THEM.
NHTSA ODI #10090593
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2003
StructureTires
THE CABLE WHICH CONTROLLED THE SIDE PASSENGER DOOR BROKE.*MR. THREE MONTHS LATER THE CABLE WHICH HELD THE SPARE TIRE BROKE. *TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #10029628
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2003
Structure
THE HINGES ON THE SIDE DOORS OF MY 1998 GMC SAVANA VAN OF THE 4 HINGES: 1 IS BROKEN AND 2 ARE CRACKED. I CALLED GMC AND GOT THE RUN AROUND. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THEM UNLESS YOU ISSUED A RECALL ON THE HINGES. *NLM
FIRESTONE, TIRE SIZE LT245/75R16 DOT VN11B1A108. TREAD SEPARATED ON THREE TIRES. EQUIPMENT FOR A 1998, GMC, 15 PASSENGER VAN. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *YH
NHTSA ODI #8007718
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2001
Structure
DOOR HINGES WERE BREAKING AND COMING APART FROM VEHICLE. PLEASE ATTACH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #887869
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHEN PUT IN GEAR AS SOON AS CONSUMER TAKES FOOT OFF BRAKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOW. THE CONSUMER USES BRAKE EXCESSIVELY BECAUSE OF LACK OF ENGINE DECELERATION. THERE IS COOLANT LEAK AT RIGHT REAR I…
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VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHEN PUT IN GEAR AS SOON AS CONSUMER TAKES FOOT OFF BRAKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOW. THE CONSUMER USES BRAKE EXCESSIVELY BECAUSE OF LACK OF ENGINE DECELERATION. THERE IS COOLANT LEAK AT RIGHT REAR INTAKE MANIFOLD. *YH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OR BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTOR/HUBS WERE BUILT WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION GRAY IRON THAT CAN FAIL DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A DRIVER CONTINUES TO DRIVE WITH A CRACKED ROTOR, THE CRACKS COULD CONTINUE AROUND THE WHEEL MOUNTING BOLT CIRCLE AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.
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.
1998 GMC Savana Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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