MYRModel Year Report

1998 GMC Sierra

◆ Worse than typical
1998 GMC Sierra
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:34:48.554Z

This year had 30% to 100% more 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 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1982: 1 complaints 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1987: 1 complaints 1988: 6 complaints 1989: 16 complaints 1990: 18 complaints 1990 1991: 12 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 72 complaints 1994: 190 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1995 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 238 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1998 1999: 600 complaints 2000: 443 complaints 2000 2001: 264 complaints 2002: 249 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 188 complaints 2005: 117 complaints 2005 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 59 complaints 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 34 complaints 2010 2011: 43 complaints 2012: 29 complaints 2013: 39 complaints 2014: 101 complaints 2015: 53 complaints 2015 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 61 complaints 2017
1998: 190 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19821
19832
19871
19886
198916
199018
199112
199230
199372
1994190
1995261
1996246
1997238
1998190
1999600
2000443
2001264
2002249
2003206
2004188
2005117
200653
200759
200868
200937
201034
201143
201229
201339
2014101
201553
20166
201761

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SERVICE BRAKES 35%

35% of complaints: service brakes — 67 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20140710

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20130908

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130503

VISIBILITY 18%

18% of complaints: visibility — 34 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AT 50 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS . THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TRUCK TO A LICENSED MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030512

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and seal.

CRASH
STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and hydraulic power assist system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and emission control.

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 190
I 20040928 — RQ (closed 20050414)

TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BREAKAGE

I 20050414 — EA (closed 20060411)

TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 GMC Sierra — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (67 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (16 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1992 ▲ 2010 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 GMC Sierra reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Sierra have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.