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1998 GMC Sierra 1500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 59 owner complaints about the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

77
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years70% below the Sierra 1500 median · #28 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints5912 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage76kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 30, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 has problems

59 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, hydraulic150
Visibility112
Power train70
Steering61
Air bags42
Structure40
Electrical system31
Fuel system, gasoline30
Engine and engine cooling30
9 other systems102

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

2 recalls

1998 GMC Sierra 1500 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

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 98V-187 · Aug 10, 1998 · 55,272 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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 Sierra 1500 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 Sierra 1500 median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Sierra 1500 owners report

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

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.…
Complaint 10332698 · May 28, 2010 · 76,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10280558 · Aug 16, 2009 · 60,000 miles
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
Complaint 10264009 · Apr 2, 2009

Own a 1998 Sierra 1500?

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