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1998 GMC Savana

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 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

Electrical System complaints

4 reports
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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

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 · Dec 1, 2000
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STALLED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING, CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL, THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED A LOOSE BATTERY CABLE WHICH CAUSED THE STALLING PROBLEM, HOWEVER AFTER REPAIR THE VEHICLE STALLED A SECOND TIME, CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH FOUND THAT …

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WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STALLED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING, CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL, THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED A LOOSE BATTERY CABLE WHICH CAUSED THE STALLING PROBLEM, HOWEVER AFTER REPAIR THE VEHICLE STALLED A SECOND TIME, CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH FOUND THAT THE DELCO BATTERY HAD A SPLIT IN IT, DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY AND INDICATED THAT THEY HAD SEEN MANY DEFECTIVE A.C.DELCO BATTERIES. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #556389

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2000
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE'S DELCO BATTERY (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT) HAS BEEN LEAKING ACID ON THE SIDE CONNECTION, CONSUMER LOST CURRENT THREE TIMES IN APP 75 FEET OF TRAVEL. NLM

NHTSA ODI #552990

Official recalls

1

98V033000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

Feb 17, 1998

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.