1998 GMC Sierra 1500

▲ Better than typical

1998 GMC Sierra 1500
RENDERED 2026-09-16T07:48:19.322Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1998: 59 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1994	13
1995	3
1996	5
1997	83
1998	59
1999	158
2000	181
2001	140
2002	166
2003	180
2004	212
2005	177
2006	145
2007	262
2008	380
2009	234
2010	167
2011	284
2012	107
2013	115
2014	737
2015	717
2016	341
2017	353
2018	300
2019	635
2020	459
2021	554
2022	569
2023	454
2024	352
2025	107
2026	98

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 32%

32% of complaints: service brakes — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

VISIBILITY 19%

19% of complaints: visibility — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT ALWAYS WORK. WHEN RAINING THEY GO OFF OR STALL. PULLING ON WIPPERS MANUALLY WILL RETART THEM OCCATIONALY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20070516

THE SWITCH FOR THE REMOTE CONTROL OUTSIDE MIRRORS CAUGHT FIRE. RUINING THE SWITCH, ASSOCIATED HARNESS AND THE DOOR PANEL. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH MY DEALER QUOTING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V093000.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050702

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120417

POWER TRAIN 14%

14% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

STEERING 10%

10% of complaints: steering — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing linkages and steering wheel/handle bar.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WHEEL BECOMES LOOSE, AND IT WILL STEER EITHER TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20000121

WHILE TRAVERSING A FREEWAY OVERPASS GOING 60 TO 65 MPH THE TRUCK SUDDENLY LURCHED TO THE LEFT. FORTUNATELY NO IMMEDIATE TRAFFIC ON MY LEFT. REALLY FRIGHTENED ME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200226

AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20161128

"TAKATA RECALL" ON 02/17/2015 I [XXX] WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE PASSENGER (ME) MVA AT "THE MACINAC BRIDGE" ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE MACKINAC BRIDGE ROLLING MY TRUCK INTO THE TOLL BOOTHS LOCATED ON THE NORTH END OF THE MACINAC BRIDGE IN THE CITY OF...

NHTSA ODI report, 20160205

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190624

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19980315 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.

Campaign 98V033000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980824 — fuel system, gasoline

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,

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.

Campaign 98V187000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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 MANUFACTURE

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).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071108 — equipment

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. TH

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.

Campaign 07E088000 — check if this car was fixed