1998 GMC GMC Truck Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 GMC GMC Truck, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes325.0%
- Electrical18.3%
- Engine18.3%
- Fuel system18.3%
- Exterior lighting18.3%
- Suspension18.3%
- Tires & wheels18.3%
- Transmission18.3%
- Body & structure18.3%
- Visibility18.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHT STOP SWITCH REPLACED ON MY 1998 GMC TRUCK. *TR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75% OF THE TIME, THE BRAKES WILL NOT STOP VEHICLE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAS UNHOOKED THE ABS SYSTEM, AND STATED THAT THE NORMAL BRAKES WORK FINE. *AK *SCC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WENT INTO 4 LOW, BY ITSELF, GOING AT 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WIPERS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN ONE YEARS TIME, NO TURN SIGNALS/BACKUP LIGHT- CAN'T BE FIXED BY DEALER-FOUND NOTHING WRONG, CALLED GMC WHICH OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE DUE TO IT BEING A USED VEHICLE. THEY FELT IT WAS RELATED TO PREVIOUS DRIVER. THE BRAKES WILL GRAB AND LOCK UP WHEN YOU FIRST DRIVE IT. YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR SEAT BELT ON BECAUSE YOU WILL BE PUT INTO THE DASH WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I DO NOT FEEL THE PREVIOUS DRIVER IS THE CAUSE IN THIS SITUATION. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR BOTH MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS TRUCK TO OTHERS. YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. THE DATE I AM REQUIRED TO SELECT IS NOT APPROPRIATE IN THIS SITUATION BECAUSE IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. *CB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS TOLD BY GMC SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT A CORRODED COOLING NIPPLE WAS A COMMON FAILURE, THAT HE HAD "SEEN IT TOO MANY TIMES". ALSO VERIFIED WITH INDEPENDENT GARAGE THAT THIS WAS A COMMON MALFUNCTION, SUPRISED NO TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD & MANIFOLD GASKET CRACKED LEAKING HIGHPRESSURED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE CYLINDERS CREATING A VAPOR LOCK, AND THE ENGINE DIED. BECAUSE OF THE VAPOR LOCK THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START IN NEUTRAL, GIVING ME NO POWER STEERING AND NO POWER BRAKES!!!!! THIS JUST ABOUT CAUSED A 20 -25 CAR PILE UP WITH 3-5 SEMI TRUCKS. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME AND I AM HAVING TO PAY FOR THESE LEMON LAW VIOLATIONS, LET ALONE THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS WORLDWIDE!! GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO FIX THIS MAJOR DEFECTIVE PART AND RE-IMBURSE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM. THERE IS A CONCERTED EFFORT ON THE INTERNET WITH ALMOST 1,100 SIGNATURES OF THIS INTAKE MANIFOLD PROBLEM. THIS SAFETY HAZARD NEEDS TO BE EXAMINED AND ALL WARRANTY COMPANY'S AND CLAIMS NEED TO BE REVIEWED TO SEE HOW BAD THE SAFETY HAZARD IS. I HOPE THIS "OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD & MANIFOLD GASKET DEFECT" IS TAKEN AS A SERIOUS THREAT TO HUMAN LIVES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, AND THE NHTSA WILL INTERVENE SO THERE ARE NO LIVES LOST, BECAUSE "YOU, NHTSA, HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED " OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS "SERIOUS SAFETY" WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND CONCERNS ANYONE WHO HAS BOUGHT A 3.1, 3.4 OR 3.8 L ENGINE FROM GM (WHICH INCLUDES ALL BUICK, CHEVY, OLDS, PONTIAC, ETC..) THANK YOU, [XXX] DT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WENT INTO 4 LOW, BY ITSELF, GOING AT 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WIPERS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN ONE YEARS TIME, NO TURN SIGNALS/BACKUP LIGHT- CAN'T BE FIXED BY DEALER-FOUND NOTHING WRONG, CALLED GMC WHICH OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE DUE TO IT BEING A USED VEHICLE. THEY FELT IT WAS RELATED TO PREVIOUS DRIVER. THE BRAKES WILL GRAB AND LOCK UP WHEN YOU FIRST DRIVE IT. YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR SEAT BELT ON BECAUSE YOU WILL BE PUT INTO THE DASH WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I DO NOT FEEL THE PREVIOUS DRIVER IS THE CAUSE IN THIS SITUATION. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR BOTH MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS TRUCK TO OTHERS. YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. THE DATE I AM REQUIRED TO SELECT IS NOT APPROPRIATE IN THIS SITUATION BECAUSE IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. *CB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN YOU START PULLING A LOAD YOU HAVE A VABRATION COMMING FROM THE REAR END, AND PUZZELL BY THE NOISE. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU EAR FROM COMSUMERS ABOUT THAT KIND OF PROBLEM. PICK UP EXT CAB SL2500
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WENT INTO 4 LOW, BY ITSELF, GOING AT 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WIPERS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN ONE YEARS TIME, NO TURN SIGNALS/BACKUP LIGHT- CAN'T BE FIXED BY DEALER-FOUND NOTHING WRONG, CALLED GMC WHICH OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE DUE TO IT BEING A USED VEHICLE. THEY FELT IT WAS RELATED TO PREVIOUS DRIVER. THE BRAKES WILL GRAB AND LOCK UP WHEN YOU FIRST DRIVE IT. YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR SEAT BELT ON BECAUSE YOU WILL BE PUT INTO THE DASH WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I DO NOT FEEL THE PREVIOUS DRIVER IS THE CAUSE IN THIS SITUATION. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR BOTH MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS TRUCK TO OTHERS. YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. THE DATE I AM REQUIRED TO SELECT IS NOT APPROPRIATE IN THIS SITUATION BECAUSE IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. *CB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A USED 1998 GMC EXTEND-CAB 4X4 PICK-UP HERE IN TN.. I HAVE HAD VERY GOOD SERVICE FROM IT UNTIL I MADE A TRIP 2 1/2 HRS. FROM MY HOME. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION I PARKED THE TRUCK, VISITED FOR AWHILE. WHEN I WAS PREPARING TO MAKE THE TRIP BACK I STARTED MY TRUCK AND AS I PUT IT IN REVERSE I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE TO CLANKS COMING FROM THE REAR, THE PERSON I WAS VISITING ALSO HEARD IT FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I COULDN'T GET THE TRUCK TO MOVE, SO WE HAD TO PHYSICALLY MOVE IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE DRIVE. AFTER SOME TIME I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHERE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK TO MOVE ONLY BY GIVING IT JUST A LITTLE GAS AND THEN LETTING UP JUST ENOUGH SO THAT THE GEARS WOULD CHANGE, THIS I HAD TO DO ALL THE WAY HOME AND THEN TO GET IT TO A GARAGE. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION, WELL I FIGURED THAT THE TRUCK WAS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO NEED A TRANSMISSION SINCE IT ONLY HAD SOMEWHERE AROUND 65,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND MYSELF. THE GARAGE LOOKED INTO RECALLS FOR THAT SPECIFIC MAKE AND MODEL OF TRUCK AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS FOR IT BUT NOT ON MINE BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT IN ANOTHER PLACE, NOW THIS SOUNDS RIDICULOUS TO ME, BUT DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHERE TO BEGIN TO FIND OUT ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE SINCE HAD TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I NEEDED MY TRANSPORTATION. I AM HOPING YOU CAN ADVISE ON THIS SITUATION OR AT LEAST POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL "BOWED" OUTWARD. THE DEALER INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT VEHICLE'S FRAME HAD BROKEN AT THE CROSSMEMBER. THE FRAME HAD PREVIOUSLY CRACKED ON 03/15/02, BUT WAS REPAIRED BY WELDING. VEHICLE IS A 1998 GMC 3/4 TON HEAVY PICK-UP TRUCK. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS ARE DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AS THE 1995 AND 96 GMC SIERRA TRUCKS. I DRIVE A 1998 GMC SO YOU THINK THEY WOULD HAVE FIGURED THIS OUT BY NOW. MY WIPERS WILL WORK OCCASIONALLY BUT NOT WHEN YOU REALLY NEED THEM. I KNOW ITS NOT THE MOTOR BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF GMC WOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .