RoadVitals

1998 Am General Hummer

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Jul 19, 2005
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Am General Hummer, most frequently naming the steering and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 17 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering266.7%
  • Engine133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The 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.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
01V336000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

Oct 31, 2001
2,839 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH PLASTIC CANCELLATION PIN CAN WEAR PREMATURELY CAUSING THE SIGNALS TO FAIL TO CANCEL AFTER COMPLETING A TURN.
The risk: THIS COULD SEND AN INCORRECT LAMP SIGNAL TO OTHER VEHICLES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WITH A NEW SWITCH HAVING A METAL CANCELLATION PIN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 16, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AM GENERAL AT 1-800-638-8303.
AM GENERAL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

SQ98026ClosedInvestigation

LOW TRANSFER CASE LUBRICANT

Opened Nov 25, 1998
Closed Mar 5, 1999

AM GENERAL IS CONDUCTING AN OWNER NOTIFICATION CAMPAIGN CONCERNING THE LOSS OF TRANSFER CASE LUBRICANT.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Jul 19, 2005

I HAVE A HUMMER H1 (1998). ON MY WAY TO THE AIRPORT IN TRAFFIC, MY #8 ENGINE CYLINDER WALL CRACKED CAUSING ME TO LOSE ALL MY COOLENT FOR BOTH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. IF I HAD NOT NOTICED IT AS QUICKLY HAS I HAD, I WOULD HAVE COME TO A SCREECHING HALT IN THE FREEWAY TRAFFIC AS MY ENGINE MELTED DOWN. FURTHERMORE, I USE MY HUMMER FOR OFF-ROADING AND HAD IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS OFF-ROAD IN THE UTAH DESERT, INJURY OR DEATH WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE LIKELY (SINCE I AM OFTEN 20-40 MILES OFF THE HIGHWAY AND IT GETS TO BE 110 DEGREES F EASILY). I HAVE CHECKED AROUND AND APPROXIMATELY 10% OF THE VEHICLES FROM 1997, 1998, AND PART OF 1999 AND 2000 HAVE HAD THE #8 CYLINDAR CRACK. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER USED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS BUT ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO STOPPED COVERING THIS UNDER WARRANTEE OR EVEN GOOD-WILL. A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE CAN BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN IF THE TRAFFIC IS HEAVY OR IF THE OCCUPENTS ARE NOT NEAR A TOWN. (OFTEN WHEN I DRIVE THROUGH NEVADA ON SOME VERY LONELY HIGHWAYS, I AM 3 HOURS FROM THE CLOSEST TOWN AND THE HEAT IS IMMENESE). WHEN I AM OFF-ROAD THIS IS EVEN WORSE AND I MAY BE A DAY OR TWO HIKE FROM THE NEAREST (LONELY) HIGHWAY IN 110 DEGREE HEAT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS IT IS A VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM FOR THE AFFECTED YEARS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
10129353
Incident
Jul 19, 2005
Mileage
73,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 16, 2005

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE VEHICLE SHOOT SO VIOLENTLY IT CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BY RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. *TT

NHTSA ID
10107042
Incident
Jan 6, 2005
Mileage
25,456 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 10, 2005

1998 HUMMER DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT STEERING ASSEMBLY.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE FRONT STEERING ASSEMBLY BEGAN OSCILLATING WILDLY AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10128076
Incident
Jan 1, 1901

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

041322

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WINCH

WINCH CONTROL PACK. *MJ

010501

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN AMG R0101 REGARDING TRANSFER CASE COOLER. *TT

010901

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER REGARDING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN AMG R0101 - TRANSFER CASE COOLER REPLACEMENT. *TT

010201

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

SOME VEHICLES MAY, AFTER COMING TO A STOP, EXHIBIT A MOMENTARY SMALL INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED (APPROX. 250 RPM). *TT

011001

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

SUBJECT REGARDING REVISED FRONT DOOR ARMREST. *TT

000102

EQUIPMENT

THIS BULLETIN MENTIONS THAT STARTING WITH THE SEPTEMBER GENERAL MOTORS TIS UPDATE, HUMMER DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION IS INCLUDED FOR THE TECH 2 SCANNER. THE SOFTWARE WILL INCLUDE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) RETRIEVAL, DATA STREAM ACCESS, SNAP SHOT CAPABILITIES, VIN AND CALIBRATION IDENTIFICATION AND MODULE FLASH CAPABILITIES. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Am General Hummer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003120040.7
2001410—
2000230—
1999240—
1998Viewing321—
1997210—
1996340—
1995750—
1994240—
1993240—
1992140—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.