RoadVitals

1998 GMC Pickup

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.
14
Latest Sep 13, 2007
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 Aug 11, 2008
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.
0
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 GMC Pickup, most frequently naming the brakes, visibility and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 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

  • Brakes423.5%
  • Visibility317.6%
  • Body & structure211.8%
  • Engine211.8%
  • Driver assistance15.9%
  • Exterior lighting15.9%
  • Other / unspecified15.9%
  • Steering15.9%

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
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
06E040000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

May 15, 2006
1,648 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
E SPEED RACINGView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 14
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 13, 2007

1998 GMC PICKUP HAS FROSTED HEADLIGHT LENSES. CUSTOMER STATES THEY LOOKED SCRATCHED. MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THIS MODEL IS SUBJECT TO SAND BLASTING BY ROAD DEBRIS. *KB

NHTSA ID
10203766
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Body & structure
Filed Sep 13, 2007

1998 GM PICKUP TRUCK WITH SEVERE CORROSION ON FRONT FRAME. CUSTOMER STATES THAT 7 OTHER VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE TO USE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMERS OBSERVATION. THE DESIGN OF THE CROSSMEMBER PROVIDED NO EXIT POINT FOR ACCUMULATED WATER, WHICH ALLOWED THE BUILD-UP OF SEDIMENT AND THE SUBSEQUENT CORROSION FROM WITHIN THE FRAME STRUCTURE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10203745
Incident
Feb 1, 2007
Visibility
Filed Nov 1, 2004

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE DRIVING AND IF HITTING A BUMP OR SOMETHING THEY MAY COMPLETELY FAIL, OR COME ON WHILE IN A RAIN STORM. CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *TC

NHTSA ID
10094292
Incident
May 1, 2004
Mileage
80,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 8, 2004

I HAVE A 1998 GMC SIERRA P/U MY WISHIELD WIPERS HAVE THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: WIPERS WILL NOT WORK OR WORK INTERMITTENTLY; WIPERS STOP WORKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, MAYBE EVEN IN MID-STROKE; WIPER FUNCTION IS ERRATIC, WITH NO DELAY FEATURE, DELAY IS THE SAME REGARDLESS OF SETTING, OR NO LOW- OR HIGH-SPEED SETTING. I'VE NOTICED THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS ISSUED A RECAL FOR 1996 MODELS AND FEEL THIS IS SIMILAR.*AK

NHTSA ID
10060753
Incident
Mar 5, 2004
Engine
Filed Mar 21, 2003

1998 GMC PICKUP HAD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED AND STILL CONTINUES TO LEAK. I'M TOLD BY DEALERS ITS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM AND IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR $600 AND MY HAVE CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10010830
Incident
Jan 4, 2003
Mileage
68,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 6, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
755353
Incident
Nov 20, 2001
Transmission
Filed Nov 20, 2001

MANUFACTURER'S LATEST "FIX IT" KIT FAILED. DEFINITELY DEFECTIVE. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
754741
Incident
Jun 15, 1999
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 20, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
754740
Incident
Aug 11, 2000

Manufacturer communications

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

PIT3227J

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE; STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.

PIT3665C

SERVICE BRAKES; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.

020090002

POWER TRAIN

SUBJECT REGARDING LUBRICATION OF PROPELLER SHAFT DOUBLE CARDAN CV TYPE U-JOINT CENTERING BALL AND SEAT.*NLM

868307

THE SCREW THAT SECURES THE LEFT AND CENTER INSULATOR PANELS TOGETHER, UNDERNEATH THE I/P ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE MAY PULL THE ONE PUSH/INSERT NUT OUT OF THE CENTER INSULATOR PANEL CAUSING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL(I/P) INSULATOR PANEL TO RATTLE. YD

3276

POWER TRAIN

4L80E OUTPUT CARRIER THRUST WASHER CHANGES. *TT

3389

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE INOPERATIVE AND THE 4WD SERVICE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. DIAGNOSIS MAY REVEAL THAT THE ATC FUSE COULD BE OPEN, POSSIBLE DTC C0308, OR VARIOUS U CODES MAY BE SET. THE ENCODER MOTOR MAY ALSO BE SHORTED OR THE TCCM MAY BE DAMAGED. *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

GMC Pickup by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002500—
2001500—
2000120033.8
1999231043.2
1998Viewing142044.6
1997222039.0
1996192047.3
1995322049.2
1994232049.8
1993130131.1
1992100130.8
1991601—
1990800—
1989400—
1988500—
1987400—
1986300—
1985300—
1981100—
1979000—
1978100—
1977000—
1976000—
1975100—
1974000—
1973000—

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.