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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 →

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

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
55,000 miles · Sep 8, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS SLOW SPEED ACTIVATION . HAVE REPLACED SENSORS TWICE . *JB

NHTSA ODI #10202274

1,000 miles · May 16, 2007
VisibilityCrashInjury

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT ALWAYS WORK. WHEN RAINING THEY GO OFF OR STALL. PULLING ON WIPPERS MANUALLY WILL RETART THEM OCCATIONALY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10190875

40,000 miles · Mar 26, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL STICKS ALL THE TIME WHEN YOU FIRST STEP ON PEDAL. YOU THEN ACCELERATE IN A JERKY MANNER AS YOU HAVE TO PRESS IT HARD TO GET IT TO UNSTICK!!! ALSO DOS IT ON OUR 2001 GRAND PRIX AND MY FATHERS 1999 CHEVROLET PICKUP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10186162

11,500 miles · Dec 21, 2006
Steering

WHILE DRIVING AT ALMOST ANY SPEED THE STEERING SEEMS TO "SLIP" ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING LEFT, HOWEVER THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. THIS ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS HAS ALMOST GOT ME IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER DOES NOT SEEM TO EITHER FIND OR RECOGNIZE THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10176757

96,990 miles · Dec 16, 2006
Air Bags

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND DIDN'T EXTINGUISH. I TOOK MY 1998 GMC EXTD. CAB PICKUP TO THE DEALER AND THEY COMPLETED REPAIRS ($755.14, EVEN AT A DISCOUNTED RATE). THE PROBLEM WAS THE SIR COIL INTERMITTENTLY WAS GROUNDING, CAUSING A SHORT IN THE SDM MODULE. MY AIRBAG HAS NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE TRUCK HAS NEV…

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SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND DIDN'T EXTINGUISH. I TOOK MY 1998 GMC EXTD. CAB PICKUP TO THE DEALER AND THEY COMPLETED REPAIRS ($755.14, EVEN AT A DISCOUNTED RATE). THE PROBLEM WAS THE SIR COIL INTERMITTENTLY WAS GROUNDING, CAUSING A SHORT IN THE SDM MODULE. MY AIRBAG HAS NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. SINCE AIRBAGS WERE MANDATED BACK IN 1998, I WOULD HAVE HOPED THAT I WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THAT SYSTEM! SEEMS TO ME THIS SHOULD BE WARRANTED FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR, BARRING DEPLOYMENT FROM AN ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10176287

2 miles · Dec 6, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

SERVICE REQUEST # FILED AT GENERAL MOTORS REGIONAL OFFICE #(71-448842107)INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING IN ALL 4 CORNERS ON MY GMC SIERRA PICK UP TRUCK. LOSS OF ANTI-FREEZE, AND POSSIBLE SEIZURE OF ENGINE. BACKORDER OF GM INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. A PETITION HAS BEEN CREATED AND SENT TO GM AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU EXPLAININ…

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SERVICE REQUEST # FILED AT GENERAL MOTORS REGIONAL OFFICE #(71-448842107)INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING IN ALL 4 CORNERS ON MY GMC SIERRA PICK UP TRUCK. LOSS OF ANTI-FREEZE, AND POSSIBLE SEIZURE OF ENGINE. BACKORDER OF GM INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. A PETITION HAS BEEN CREATED AND SENT TO GM AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU EXPLAINING ....AS OF APRIL 10, 2002, THERE IS A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. AT THIS TIME, IS IT NOT EVEN KNOWN WHEN THE PART WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. BEING AWARE OF THIS PROVES THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED. BECAUSE OF APPARENT POOR ENGINEERING, GM CAN NOT MANUFACTURER REPLACEMENTS FAST ENOUGH FOR ALL THE VEHICLES IN WHICH THEY ARE NEEDED. INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS CAN LEAD TO ANY NUMBER OF VERY SERIOUS, AND EXPENSIVE, PROBLEMS. WHILE THE PART ITSELF ISN'T COSTLY, THE LABOR TO REPAIR IT IS VERY INTENSIVE, AND HAS BEEN QUOTED AROUND $800 USD (GIVE OR TAKE A COUPLE HUNDRED DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE). THIS IS IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER COSTLY PROBLEM(S) THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK MAY HAVE PRODUCED. WE ARE DEMANDING ACCOUNTABILITY FROM GENERAL MOTORS. A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER SHOULD BE REASON ENOUGH FOR GM TO ASSEMBLE A RECALL. WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE WORLD'S LARGEST VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WHO HAS BEEN THE WORLD'S AUTOMOTIVE SALES LEADER SINCE 1931 WILL STAND UP AND CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS SO PREVALENT AMONG THEIR VEHICLES. RECALLS SHOULD BE MANDATED IN ALL CASES OF INCOMPETENCE, NOT SOLELY WHEN IT AFFECTS PUBLIC SAFETY. SINCERELY, 13,000 SIGNATURES HTTP://WWW.PETITIONONLINE.COM/GMCNSMRS/PETITION.HTML *JB

NHTSA ODI #10175328

50,000 miles · Sep 6, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility

THE WIPERS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SHORT OF SOME KIND IN THE SYSTEM. I CAN GET THEM TO WORK BY MANUALLY MOVING THEM SOMETIMES. ALSO I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKING. I HAVE REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY TWICE. AGAIN IT SEEMS TO BE A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM, THEY WORK ON AND OFF, ITS VERY DANGERO…

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THE WIPERS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SHORT OF SOME KIND IN THE SYSTEM. I CAN GET THEM TO WORK BY MANUALLY MOVING THEM SOMETIMES. ALSO I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKING. I HAVE REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY TWICE. AGAIN IT SEEMS TO BE A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM, THEY WORK ON AND OFF, ITS VERY DANGEROUS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167436

72,000 miles · May 8, 2006
Visibility

ON A 1998 GMC SIERRA 1/2 TON PICKUP. FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL BOARD. SOLDER JOINTS PN CONTROL BOARD WILL CRACK CAUSING WIPERS TO FAIL AT RANDOM TIMES, CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION WHEN IN TRAFFIC. TAPPING OR JERKING ON THE WIPERS WILL TEMPORARILY REACTIVATE THEM. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY GM FOR OVER 15 YEARS AND RECALL…

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ON A 1998 GMC SIERRA 1/2 TON PICKUP. FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL BOARD. SOLDER JOINTS PN CONTROL BOARD WILL CRACK CAUSING WIPERS TO FAIL AT RANDOM TIMES, CREATING AN UNSAFE SITUATION WHEN IN TRAFFIC. TAPPING OR JERKING ON THE WIPERS WILL TEMPORARILY REACTIVATE THEM. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY GM FOR OVER 15 YEARS AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE ON PREVIOUS VEHICLES, BUT ARE NOT OFFERED ON VEHICLES AFTER 1997. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10156984

60,000 miles · Jan 9, 2006
Power Train

1998 EXTENDED CAB GMC SIERRA 1/2 TON. REAR DIFFERENTIAL EXPLODED AT 60,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND NOW IT IS ACTING UP AGAIN AT 80,000 MILES. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN BY ANYONE OTHER THAN MYSELF. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED AND I FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SUGGESTIONS IN THE BOOK. IS THERE SOME PROBLE…

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1998 EXTENDED CAB GMC SIERRA 1/2 TON. REAR DIFFERENTIAL EXPLODED AT 60,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND NOW IT IS ACTING UP AGAIN AT 80,000 MILES. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN BY ANYONE OTHER THAN MYSELF. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED AND I FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SUGGESTIONS IN THE BOOK. IS THERE SOME PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED GMC PRODUCTS AND NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE LIKE THIS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10147270

75,000 miles · Dec 30, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES KICKED IN AND OUT. INSTEAD OF STOPPING IT WILL JUST SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.*AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146601

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.