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1998 GMC SavanaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 33 owner complaints about the 1998 GMC Savana, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

62
CarFlaw IndexSolid year40% below the Savana median · #5 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints331 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage53kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 9, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 GMC Savana has problems

33 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic90
Air bags60
Tires50
Structure40
Electrical system41
Fuel system, gasoline30
Engine and engine cooling20
Vehicle speed control20
Visibility10
1 other systems10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1998 GMC Savana recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Disc: rotor

Recall 98V-033 · Feb 17, 1998 · 1,137 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Savana year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Savana median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Savana owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10150898 · Feb 22, 2006 · 53,000 miles
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…
Complaint 885066 · Apr 4, 2001
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL FEELS NORMAL, BUT ABS SYSTEM DOES NOT KICK IN AS IT SHOULD, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKES. EXTREMELY SOFT BRAKE PEDAL, GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES MUST BE PUMPED SEVERAL TIMES TO ACHIEVE ENOUGH BRAKE TO SLOW DOWM OR STOP. GM REP WILL NOT AUTHORIZE ANY FURTHER WARRANTY…
Complaint 863779 · Jun 19, 2000

Own a 1998 Savana?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.