1998 GMC Sierra 1500

▲ Better than typical
1998 GMC Sierra 1500
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:17:05.917Z

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

Complaints per year, GMC Sierra 1500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1998 1999: 158 complaints 1999 2000: 181 complaints 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2004 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 144 complaints 2007: 261 complaints 2008: 379 complaints 2009: 234 complaints 2009 2010: 167 complaints 2011: 283 complaints 2012: 106 complaints 2013: 115 complaints 2014: 736 complaints 2014 2015: 711 complaints 2016: 337 complaints 2017: 350 complaints 2018: 293 complaints 2019: 601 complaints 2019 2020: 435 complaints 2021: 511 complaints 2022: 528 complaints 2023: 408 complaints 2024: 312 complaints 2024 2025: 90 complaints 2026: 58 complaints 2026
1998: 59 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199413
19953
19965
199783
199859
1999158
2000181
2001140
2002166
2003180
2004212
2005177
2006144
2007261
2008379
2009234
2010167
2011283
2012106
2013115
2014736
2015711
2016337
2017350
2018293
2019601
2020435
2021511
2022528
2023408
2024312
202590
202658

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 9 distinct reports on file.

VISIBILITY 8%

8% of complaints: visibility — 5 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 5 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 4 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 4 distinct reports on file.

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 GMC Sierra 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V033000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V187000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E088000 (equipment) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2026 ▲ 1997 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2014 ■ 2015 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.