1998 GMC Sierra 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 59 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (25% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 gmc sierra 1500. While the contact was seated in the vehicle, the passenger side air bag deployed inadvertently. When the contact exited the vehicle, the driver's side air bag deployed without warning or an impact. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 230,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 gmc sierra 1500. While driving approximately 35 mph, a deer ran in front of the vehicle. The contact crashed into the deer. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the vehicle needed a front end alignment due to the collision. The contact received injuries to the head and knee, which required medical attention. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
“Applied break to start truck. Foot went to floor, very weak pedal. Checked brake fluid level, found front reservoir empty. Traced brake lines for leaks. Found portion of rear hard brake line between gas tank and rear axle rusted through at bend where brake line leaves frame rail and heads to connect to flexible line at rear differential. Entire area around leak, bottom of bed, frame rail, shock, spring, etc. Dripping with brake fluid. Replaced a previous section of rear brake linearound 125k miles prior to finding out this was a common problem with gmc / chevy trucks. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that the windshield wipers would fail sporadically. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000 and the current mileage was 107,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 gmc 1500. The contact attempted to start the vehicle and discovered there was little to no power. None of the electrical components were operable. The contact inspected the vehicle and as he removed the covering from a plate under the steering column, he found that there were several burned wires. He then spliced the wires together and used a rubber protector to protect the wires from rubbing against the metal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 64,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2010
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2009
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2009
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2008
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2008
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 59 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 81,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.