1998 GMC Sierra

Routine

Owners filed 190 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
72,000 milesMedian miles at failure

50 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip41
500
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor22
010
Steering8
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission7
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer6
000
Unknown or Other5
110
Vehicle Speed Control4
100
Suspension4
000
Service Brakes4
100
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor4
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 21, 2016200,000 milesMS

THE DASHBOARD CRACKED MIDWAYS AND SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER SIDE.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Dec 26, 2014129,000 milesNE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT BUT THE REPAIR SPECIFICS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. ....UPDATED 01/23/15 *BF UPDATED 9/11/2017*CN

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jul 10, 2014145,000 milesMN

BRAKES FAILED WHILE BACKING UP AND HIT A TREE. FOUND BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND REPLACED BRAKE LINE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 201450,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO RECTIFY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 96,000.

Power Train
Filed Nov 1, 2013PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 8, 2013VT

FAME ROT ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES IN REAR BY LEAF SPRING MOUNTS

Service Brakes
Filed May 3, 201386,000 milesOH

CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE ON STATE HIGHWAY. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES, BUT REPAIRS INCLUDED BRAKE LINES, CALIPERS AND PADS DUE TO CORROSION OF SAID LINES AND CALIPER ASSEMBLIES. SHOP SAID THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR GM PRODUCTS REGARDLESS OF AGE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Apr 21, 2010DC

1998 GMC SIERRA. GMC BRAKE LINE CORROSION INVESTIGATION. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED A CORROSION RELATED FAILURE OF THE LINE SUPPLYING THE REAR BRAKES. THE FAILED LINE WENT FROM A FITTING OVER THE GAS TANK TO A BRACKET ON THE FRAME OVER THE REAR AXLE. FROM THE BRACKET, A HOSE WENT TO THE DIFFERENTIAL, WHERE THE LINES WENT OUT TO THE REAR BRAKE CYLINDER. AN INSPECTION SHOWED NO OTHER CORROSION. *JB

Equipment
Filed Jun 22, 200896,971 milesUT

1998 GMC SIERRA 1500 EXT. CAB TRUCK. PURCHASED USED ON 6/03/08. ODOMETER READ 96,921MILES. LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED WHAT FELT LIKE A SLIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND, AND 2ND TO 3RD, UNDER 15 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, WHO HAD AGREED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR PARTIAL COSTS TO HAVE ALL THE FLUIDS FLUSHED AND FILLED WITH CLEAN FLUID AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF MY REGULAR SHOP, WHERE I HAD TAKEN THE TRUCK FOR INSPECTION 12 HOURS AFTER PURCHASE. AT THIS TIME I NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS CRACKED INTO THE LOCK AREA. I ASKED THE SERVICE SHOP (DIXIELAND TIRE) FOR A QUOTE ON REPAIR, THE MANAGER TOLD ME, "THAT IS A COMMON GMC PROBLEM, THE PARTS DEPT STOCKS ABOUT A DOZEN OF THOSE AND I'VE REPLACED AT LEAST 18 IN THE PAST YEARS.". THE PART COST $61.50 PLUS TAX AT 6.5%, AND LABOR OF $97.50. THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH COST $109.95 FOR THE SUPREME SERVICE. LESS THAN TWO DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CODE FOR IT CAME UP AS P1870, TRANSMISSION. THE TECH NOTICED THE SLIP. I WAS REFERRED TO A TRANS SHOP SINCE MY SERVICE SHOP DOESN'T HAVE CAPABILITY TO REPAIR TRANS. AT THIS TIME I NOTIFIED USED CAR DEALER WASHINGTON AUTO SALES THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE THE TRANS CHECKED AND REMINDED HIM THAT I HAD NOTICED THE SLIP LESS THAN 24 HRS. AFTER PURCHASE. I ASKED IF HE COULD HELP ME WITH POTENTIAL COSTS HE SAID IT DEPENDED ON WHAT THE RESULTS WERE OF THE INSPECTION SCHEDULED FOR 6-24-08. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE FO

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 17, 2008UT

WHEN I BOUGHT MY USED 1998 GMC SIERRA 4X4 K1500 TRUCK IN 2003 THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT WORK! I TOOK IT INTO GUS PAULOS CHEVROLET TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THEY WARRENTY THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT SINCE IT WOULD NOT PULL OUT. THATS A 5 YRS OLD TRUCK SO NOW IN 2007 IT GOES OUT AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY ARE CHARGING ME FOR IT? THE SERVICE REP SAID "IT ONLY HAS A THREE YEAR WARRENTY".I THOUGHT IT'S A SAFTEY PART/ SAFTEY ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD FLIP THE BILL. WHAT IF IT FAILES IN A COLLISION? THE PART IS ON ORDER SO I SHOULD BE GETTING THE PART NEXT WEEK. " I HAVEN'T NEEDED IT DONE TILL NOW SINCE MY DAUGHTER IS OLD ENOUGH TO SIT UPFRONT". *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 17, 200771,000 milesNY

ABS BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jul 22, 2006127,000 milesMA

INTERMITTENTLY THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE. IF I TAP ON THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR CASE THEY MAY WORK FOR A WHILE. I CAN HEAR THE MOTOR RUN WHEN THEY ARE NOT WORKING. *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed May 9, 2006TX

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL OFF & ON--MOSTLY NEVER WORK. *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed May 1, 2006125,000 milesMI

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS FIRST BEGAN FALL OF 2005. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED AND EXPLAINED NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THE WIPERS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 13, 200670,000 milesMI

I HAVE A 1998 GMC SIERRA PICK-UP TRUCK. I HAVE EXPERIENCED ONGOING ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSOR ISSUES SINCE LAST SPRING. THEY ENGAGE AT LOW SPEED AND MAKE IT HARD TO STOP IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR THE FAILURE AT LOW SPEED. THE DEALER I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO (CAPITOL CADILLAC-LANSING MICH.) SAID THEY "COULDN'T RECREATE THE PROBLEM". THIS WAS A RIDICULOUS STATEMENT BECAUSE IT "RECREATED" ITSELF TWICE AS I WAS LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT. THEY WERE JUST NOT INTERESTED IN DEALING WITH IT. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHY DOES IT NOT INCLUDE MY TRUCK?? I DON'T SEE WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE THIS FIXED IF GM IS TAKING CARE OF OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 13, 200665,000 milesMI

BOTH FRONT BRAKE ABS SENSORS ON MY 1998 GMC SIERRA 4 WHEEL DRIVE HALF TON PICKUP TRUCK FAILED DURING A 90 DAY PERIOD IN 2005. THIS CAUSED THE ABS TO ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEED STOPS NEARLY RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS AND REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING/ABS SENSOR ASSEMBLIES AT THE COST OF ABOUT $800. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN AUGUST 1998 AND HAS ABOUT 65,000 MILES OF USE. THE LOCAL GM REP AND GMC'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING GM WILL DO ABOUT IT. THE LOCAL DEALER TELLS ME IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS!. *JB

Steering
Filed Feb 6, 200695,000 milesCT

GMC 1998 SIERRA P/U- STEERING SUDDENLY BECOMES LOOSE AND STEERING WHEEL JERKS TO THE RIGHT WHILE DECELERATING AND TURNING RIGHT. PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS ALTHOUGH NOT A DRASTIC. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, HOWEVER NO SOLUTIONS FROM GMC OR DEALERSHIP. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING WHEN THE STEERING SUDDENLY JERKS TO THE RIGHT. GM DEALER HAS NO CLUE AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 23, 200645,000 milesNY

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 1998 GMC K1500 4X4 PICKUP TRUCK. THIS VEHICLES SUFFERS FROM THE STOPPING PROBLEM DUE TO FOULING OF THE SPEED SENSORS IN THE WHEEL HUBS THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL FOR SIMILAR 1999-2002 VEHICLES. THE NHTSA HAS ENCOURAGED GM/GMC TO RECALL SIMILAR 1999-2002 VEHICLES. THE 1998 VEHICLES WITH THE SAME BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL - YOU GUYS MISSED THE BOAT. WHY DIDN'T YOU SUGGEST THAT GM/GMC RECALL ALL VEHICLES REGARDLESS OF YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM? *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Dec 5, 200542,000 milesMA

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V379000 CONCERNING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HER OWN EXPENSE. THE ABS ENGAGED AT LOW SPEEDS WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THERE WAS ONLY MINOR DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY BOTH VEHICLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Nov 8, 2005NY

DURING LOW SPEED BREAKING MY ANTILOCK BRAKES KICK IN CAUSING THE MY TRUCK NOT TO STOP WHEN INTENDED. *NM

20 of 190 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201761010Routine
20166210Routine
201553610Routine
20141011220Do not drive
201339310Routine
201229220Routine
201143200Routine
201034120Routine
200937100Routine
200868200Routine
200759220Routine
200653630Routine
20051171120Routine
20041881050Routine
2003206912Fatalities reported
2002249720Above average
2001264725Fatalities reported
20004431232Fatalities reported
1999600921Fatalities reported
1998 — this page190080Routine
1997238050Above average
1996246230Above average
1995261600Above average
1994190320Routine
199372310Routine
199230420Routine
199112200Routine
199018220Routine

Compare every Sierra year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.