1998 GMC Sierra 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 12 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes, hydraulic.
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 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 gmc sierra 3500. The contact stated that when he applied his brakes to release the gear shifter, the brake pedal went straight to the floor. The brake warning light illuminated immediately after. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the brake lines had burst and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was approximately 136,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 gmc sierra 3500. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped with the brake pressed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for inspection. The contact had not informed the dealer, and the vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 120,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2011
“Severe vehicle frame corrosion/rusting of front frame extensions, particularly in area of steering box mounting of several agency owned 98-2000 year model chevrolet & gmc pickup trucks. Disposition is scrapping vehicles as beyond economical repair and unsafe to operate. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2007
Show 6 more owner reports
“Windshield wipers came on and off intermittently while driving in inclement weather. This caused poor visibility. Dealership was contacted and stated that vehicle was not under recall.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2003
“Consumer stated that when trying to apply the brakes the brake pedal would go to the floor causing the vehicle to have extended stopping distance. Dealer notified ts”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2002
“At 65mph vehicle started making a thumping sound. When consumer pulled over and started feeling around tire tread was separating. Right rear tire had at least 1,000 more miles to go. Consumer used the spare tire to go find a firestone dealer which they replaced and balanced tire for free. Consumer owns a 1999 motor home with a 98 chevrolet 3500 chassis with original tires size lt245/75r16 having 34,000 miles on them.*ak *slc”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2001
“Fuel injection system is continually failing. Consumer states that it is an electrical fuel injection system, and the sensor has been changed. Has been taken to the dealer 3 times. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2000
“Smell of fuel when driving vehicle, when vehicle left running parked, vehicle engine compartment caught on fire and destroyed the vehicle.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 1999
“Pe-00020 original equipment on a 1998, gmc, van 3500, tire size lt24575r16. While driving 55 mph on the highway tread on the right rear tire separated. *ak”Owner report · Tires
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.
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 3500 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 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 GMC Sierra 3500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic.
Does the 1998 GMC Sierra 3500 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.