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1998 GMC Sierra 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 are lower than the model-year median of 181.

About this comparison →
59Owner complaints

Model-year median: 181

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
19955
199683
199759
1998158
1999181
2000140
2001
Compare all Sierra 1500 years →

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

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
15Visibility
11Power Train
7Steering
6Air Bags
4
All reported categories
Structure
4Electrical System
3Engine And Engine Cooling
3Fuel System, Gasoline
3Service Brakes, Air
2Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Other
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Seat Belts
1Seats
1Service Brakes
1Suspension
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

38 reports with mileage · 21 unknown

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 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

59 reports
76,000 miles · May 28, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I WAS APPROACHING A BUSY INTERSECTION AT A NORMAL SPEED. WHEN I USED THE BRAKE IT INSTANTLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES! I WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION INTO AN EMPTY LOT. THANK GOD NO ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE LINE ROTTED BECAUSE GM ROUTED CHEAP STEEL LINES IN AREAS WHERE SAND, SALT AND WATER COLLECT. GMC REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR…

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I WAS APPROACHING A BUSY INTERSECTION AT A NORMAL SPEED. WHEN I USED THE BRAKE IT INSTANTLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES! I WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION INTO AN EMPTY LOT. THANK GOD NO ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE LINE ROTTED BECAUSE GM ROUTED CHEAP STEEL LINES IN AREAS WHERE SAND, SALT AND WATER COLLECT. GMC REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR AND IT COST ME 500.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10332698

60,000 miles · Aug 16, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC DETAILS: THE ABS PULSATES AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY AT 10 MPH OR SLOWER. I'VE ALMOST HIT SEVERAL VEHICLES BECAUSE MY '98 GMC SIERRA WOULDN'T STOP. I SEE WHERE THEY HAD A RECALL ON 99 AND NEWER TRUCKS, BUT THEY NEED TO GO BACK FURTHER. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME I GO TO SLOW DOWN. GMC REFUSES TO …

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COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC DETAILS: THE ABS PULSATES AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY AT 10 MPH OR SLOWER. I'VE ALMOST HIT SEVERAL VEHICLES BECAUSE MY '98 GMC SIERRA WOULDN'T STOP. I SEE WHERE THEY HAD A RECALL ON 99 AND NEWER TRUCKS, BUT THEY NEED TO GO BACK FURTHER. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME I GO TO SLOW DOWN. GMC REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM PRIOR TO 1999. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280558

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ABS PULSATES AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY AT 10 MPH OR SLOWER. I'VE ALMOST HIT SEVERAL VEHICLES BECAUSE MY '98 GMC SIERRA WOULDN'T STOP. I SEE WHERE THEY HAD A RECALL ON 99 AND NEWER TRUCKS, BUT THEY NEED TO GO BACK FURTHER. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME I GO TO SLOW DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264009

104,000 miles · Dec 15, 2008
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A STOP LIGHT I HEARD AND FELT A METALLIC BANG. THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED INTO 1ST GEAR AND WOULDN'T SHIFT UP. I LOST REVERSE TOO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251788

150,000 miles · Sep 23, 2008
Visibility

I OWN A 1998 GMC SIERRA AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ONLY PART OF THE TIME. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET IT SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG THESE VEHICLES, BUT THE RECALL DOESN'T INCLUDE THIS YEAR EVEN THOUGH THE CIRCUIT BOARD IS THE SAME . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243162

120,000 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN I BOUGHT TRUCK (120,000 MILES) THE PREVIOUS OWNER INFORMED ME THAT THE GAS TANK WAS FULL. AFTER 200 MILES I WONDERED WHY THE GAS GAUGE WAS STILL ON FULL. TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SAME VEHICLE WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT ON THE FUEL PUMP. THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO START TAKING…

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WHEN I BOUGHT TRUCK (120,000 MILES) THE PREVIOUS OWNER INFORMED ME THAT THE GAS TANK WAS FULL. AFTER 200 MILES I WONDERED WHY THE GAS GAUGE WAS STILL ON FULL. TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SAME VEHICLE WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT ON THE FUEL PUMP. THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO START TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR VEHICLE DEFECTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241821

163,000 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

HAD A ANTIFREEZE LEAK FOR MONTHS. STARTED LOOKING AROUND AND NOTICED THE FITTING FROM THE HEATER CORE RETURN LINE INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CORRODED AND READY TO FALL OF. I BARELY TOUCHED THE RETURN LINE AND IT THE FITTING SNAPPED OFF. I'M THE 3RD PERSON I KNOW WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, SAME VEHICLE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBL…

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HAD A ANTIFREEZE LEAK FOR MONTHS. STARTED LOOKING AROUND AND NOTICED THE FITTING FROM THE HEATER CORE RETURN LINE INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CORRODED AND READY TO FALL OF. I BARELY TOUCHED THE RETURN LINE AND IT THE FITTING SNAPPED OFF. I'M THE 3RD PERSON I KNOW WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM, SAME VEHICLE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM HERE GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241820

110,213 miles · Aug 23, 2008
Structure

TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239443

111,000 miles · Mar 12, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP BETWEEN 1-5 MPH, THE BRAKES VIBRATED, MADE A HISSING SOUND, AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A FAILURE WITH THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP BETWEEN 1-5 MPH, THE BRAKES VIBRATED, MADE A HISSING SOUND, AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A FAILURE WITH THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GMC ON MARCH 10, 2008 AND WAS ISSUED CONFIRMATION NUMBER 71-1609860847. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #10220880

147,625 miles · Dec 10, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE REAR BRAKES SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND BALANCED, THE BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED, AND THE BRAKE SHOES AND REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE REAR BRAKES SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND BALANCED, THE BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED, AND THE BRAKE SHOES AND REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE SHOES MOVE ABOUT AND THERE WAS NO WAY THEY COULD BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED AND HAVE BEEN SINCE APRIL OF 2006. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,625. UPDATED 3/5/08 *CN UPDATED 03/05/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211364

Official recalls

2

98V187000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Aug 10, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT, INNER CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK CAN CONTACT THE BODY SILL EITHER INTERMITTENTLY OR CONSTANTLY. THIS MOVEMENT CAN CAUSE A DISCERNIBLE NOISE AND, OVER TIME, CAN WEAR A HOLE IN OR CRACK THE FUEL TANK AT POINT OF CONTACT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND A DISTINCT FUEL ODOR IF THE TANK WERE FILLED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE HOLE OR CRACK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK FOR WEAR AND, EITHER INSTALL A SPACER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER, OR IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.

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.