1998 GMC Sierra 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 Sierra, 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
- Brakes6229.8%
- Visibility3215.4%
- Steering157.2%
- Fuel system125.8%
- Engine115.3%
- Suspension115.3%
- Seat belts104.8%
- Electrical83.8%
- Transmission83.8%
- Powertrain (other)83.8%
- Airbags62.9%
- Driver assistance62.9%
- Tires & wheels52.4%
- Interior & seats41.9%
- Body & structure41.9%
- Other / unspecified31.4%
- Exterior lighting21.0%
- Heating & air conditioning10.5%
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
BRAKES FAILED WHILE BACKING UP AND HIT A TREE. FOUND BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND REPLACED BRAKE LINE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO RECTIFY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 96,000.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERMITTENTLY THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE. IF I TAP ON THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR CASE THEY MAY WORK FOR A WHILE. I CAN HEAR THE MOTOR RUN WHEN THEY ARE NOT WORKING. *NM
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL OFF & ON--MOSTLY NEVER WORK. *NM
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
FAME ROT ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES IN REAR BY LEAF SPRING MOUNTS
GMC 1998 SIERRA P/U- STEERING SUDDENLY BECOMES LOOSE AND STEERING WHEEL JERKS TO THE RIGHT WHILE DECELERATING AND TURNING RIGHT. PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS ALTHOUGH NOT A DRASTIC. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, HOWEVER NO SOLUTIONS FROM GMC OR DEALERSHIP. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING WHEN THE STEERING SUDDENLY JERKS TO THE RIGHT. GM DEALER HAS NO CLUE AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FAME ROT ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES IN REAR BY LEAF SPRING MOUNTS
AFTER DRIVING FOR OVER 200 MILES, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED. THE VEHICLE JERK AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENGINE DIED 3 TIMES WITHIN 10 MILES WITH A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. *PH ON TWO OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT FOR A MINUTE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP DRIVER BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. *NM
THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER ON A HILL AND BY THE TIME WE GOT TO THE TOP THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A TRERRIBLE SOUND. ALL THE GUAGES WERE READING NORMAL. THE GMC DEALER OR EVEN HEAD OFFICE ARE NOT WILLING TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE MOTOR FOR IT IS NOT OUR FAULT THAT THIS HAPPEN. WE MAIMTAINED THE TRUCK TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, IF MOVING STEERING WHEEL JUST A LITTLE TO RIGHT TO MAINTAIN PROPER LANE, VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY JERK TO THE RIGHT AND CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING THE TREAD OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED, INSPECTION OF THE SECOND REAR TIRE REVEALED SEPARATION OF THE TREAD AND AIR LEAKAGE (THE TIRE MAKE/MODEL WAS NOT GIVEN). NLM
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I BOUGHT MY USED 1998 GMC SIERRA 4X4 K1500 TRUCK IN 2003 THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT WORK! I TOOK IT INTO GUS PAULOS CHEVROLET TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THEY WARRENTY THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT SINCE IT WOULD NOT PULL OUT. THATS A 5 YRS OLD TRUCK SO NOW IN 2007 IT GOES OUT AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY ARE CHARGING ME FOR IT? THE SERVICE REP SAID "IT ONLY HAS A THREE YEAR WARRENTY".I THOUGHT IT'S A SAFTEY PART/ SAFTEY ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD FLIP THE BILL. WHAT IF IT FAILES IN A COLLISION? THE PART IS ON ORDER SO I SHOULD BE GETTING THE PART NEXT WEEK. " I HAVEN'T NEEDED IT DONE TILL NOW SINCE MY DAUGHTER IS OLD ENOUGH TO SIT UPFRONT". *TR
THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE PROBLEMATIC AND WOULD LOCK BUT WOULDN'T EXPAND. *AK *SC *JB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL, THEN SHE FELT SOMETHING HOT ON HER LEG, WHEN LOOKING SHE SAW VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND HER LEG WAS ALSO ON FIRE, FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS. *SLC
VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE WIRING OF THE DOOR, CLAIM 42-1295-954. *SLC
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INCORRECTLY. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME HOT, AND DISENGAGED FROM OVERDRIVE TO LOCK UP MODE, AND BLEW 2 QUARTS OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT THE VENTS*MR *TS *JB
I HAVE A 1998 GMC Z71 WITH 61,000 MILES THAT I BOUGH NEW AND JUST HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN AT A COST OF $2000.00. WHEN I TOLD THE SERVICEMAN WHAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOING HE AUTOMATICALLY NEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE SAID THAT IT WAS THE SHAFT HOUSING THAT HAD BUSTED AND IT MESSED UP THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN BY THE WAY HE RESPONDED. HE SAID THAT THE SHAFT HOUSING WAS NOT AS HEAVILY BUILT AS THE NEW ONE THEY INSTALLED. DOES THIS MEAN THAT OTHER OWNERS WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE TRUCK AROUND 60,000 MILES? IT SOUNDS LIKE A DEFFECT TO ME IF THE SHAFT HOUSING WAS NOT BUILT STRONG ENOUGH TO TAKE THE USE THAT A TRUCK IS PUT THROUGH. I TOW A SMALL 5X10 UTILITY TRAILER AND HAVE HAULED A 27 TRAVEL TRAILER ONE TIME WITH THIS TRUCK SO IT DOES NOT HAUL A LOT OF WEIGHT. I JUST HOPE THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER ONE IN ABOUT 60,000 MILES. I LIKE MY TRUCK AND HAVE PAYED A LOT OF MONEY FOR IT AND PLAN TO KEEP IT.*AK
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
1998 GMC SIERRA 1500 EXT. CAB TRUCK. PURCHASED USED ON 6/03/08. ODOMETER READ 96,921MILES. LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED WHAT FELT LIKE A SLIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND, AND 2ND TO 3RD, UNDER 15 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, WHO HAD AGREED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR PARTIAL COSTS TO HAVE ALL THE FLUIDS FLUSHED AND FILLED WITH CLEAN FLUID AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF MY REGULAR SHOP, WHERE I HAD TAKEN THE TRUCK FOR INSPECTION 12 HOURS AFTER PURCHASE. AT THIS TIME I NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS CRACKED INTO THE LOCK AREA. I ASKED THE SERVICE SHOP (DIXIELAND TIRE) FOR A QUOTE ON REPAIR, THE MANAGER TOLD ME, "THAT IS A COMMON GMC PROBLEM, THE PARTS DEPT STOCKS ABOUT A DOZEN OF THOSE AND I'VE REPLACED AT LEAST 18 IN THE PAST YEARS.". THE PART COST $61.50 PLUS TAX AT 6.5%, AND LABOR OF $97.50. THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH COST $109.95 FOR THE SUPREME SERVICE. LESS THAN TWO DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CODE FOR IT CAME UP AS P1870, TRANSMISSION. THE TECH NOTICED THE SLIP. I WAS REFERRED TO A TRANS SHOP SINCE MY SERVICE SHOP DOESN'T HAVE CAPABILITY TO REPAIR TRANS. AT THIS TIME I NOTIFIED USED CAR DEALER WASHINGTON AUTO SALES THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE THE TRANS CHECKED AND REMINDED HIM THAT I HAD NOTICED THE SLIP LESS THAN 24 HRS. AFTER PURCHASE. I ASKED IF HE COULD HELP ME WITH POTENTIAL COSTS HE SAID IT DEPENDED ON WHAT THE RESULTS WERE OF THE INSPECTION SCHEDULED FOR 6-24-08. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE DOOR HANDLE, WHICH IS A WELL-KNOWN DEFECT. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT CROSSED A RED LIGHT. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SUFFERED A BROKEN DISK IN BACK. *AK *MR
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A MEDIAN WALL, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY RESULTINGIN DRIVER INJURY. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE IN REVERSE AND GOING DOWN A SLOPED DRIVEWAY IN WINTER CONDITION, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO AN UNKNOWN SPEED. IT CRASHED INTO A TREE ON OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. *AK THE TRUCK WAS EXAMINED BY DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. TECHNICIAN CLEANED LINKAGE AND MADE ACCELERATOR PEDAL EASIER TO OPERATE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT A CARBON BUILD UP ON SOME RELATED PART WHEN ENGINE WAS COLD, MIGHT HAVE CAUSED A MALFUNCTION. *YH
THROTTLE IS STICKING BETWEEN SHIFTS WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED AND/OR ACCELERATER IS RELEASED, NOT ALLOWING TRUCK TO SLOW DOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-10 SECONDS, CREATING A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION IN PARKING LOTS AND HEAVEY TRAFFIC. DEALER CAN'T FIX. TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL. ALSO SAID RESETTING COMPUTER WOULD HELP. IT DOSEN'T.PROBLEM DIDN'T START UNTIL THERE WAS 13000 MILES AND WASN'T DOCUMENTED BY DEALER. TRIED 2 PROM UPDATES DIDN'T CHANGE. *AK
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
WHILE DRIVING, TWO TIRES BLEWOUT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING, P215/60R15, CLAIM 14-1326-688. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING THE TREAD OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED, INSPECTION OF THE SECOND REAR TIRE REVEALED SEPARATION OF THE TREAD AND AIR LEAKAGE (THE TIRE MAKE/MODEL WAS NOT GIVEN). NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT BUT THE REPAIR SPECIFICS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. ....UPDATED 01/23/15 *BF UPDATED 9/11/2017*CN
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE CONSUMER TURNED THE SWITCH OFF THEN ON AGAIN AND THE WIPERS WOULD WORK AGAIN. AS TIME WENT ON THE PROBLEM WORSENED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE SWITCH ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. SOMETIMES THEY WOULDN'T COME ON FOR 15 MINUTES OR UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. THE RECALL STOPPED AT THE 1997 MODEL YEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS THE ONLY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND HAS SINCE PAID TO THE HAVE THE MODULE REPLACED. *PH ALSO THE TAILGATE DID NOT ALOWAYS LOCK INTO PLACE. *JB
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
THE TAILGATE ON OUR VEHICLE FELL OFF, WHILE DRIVING, AFTER THE SUPPORT CABLES HAD BROKEN. LUCKILY THIS OCCURRED ON A LIGHTLY TRAVELED ROAD SO THAT NO VEHICLES BEHIND THE TRUCK HIT THE TAILGATE. THE TAILGATE IS GONE. ALL THAT REMAINS ARE HALF OF THE BROKEN SUPPORT CABLES. *JB
WATER LEAK COMING FROM A SEAM FRONT QUARTER PANEL DRIVERS SIDE. WATER GETS INTO FLOOR BOARD DRIVER SIDE. CARPET AND INSULATION GETS WET AND STINKS. ALSO- ROOF SEAM AT WINDSHIELD RUSTING AND PAINT BUBBLING. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
1998 GMC SIERRA 1500 EXT. CAB TRUCK. PURCHASED USED ON 6/03/08. ODOMETER READ 96,921MILES. LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED WHAT FELT LIKE A SLIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND, AND 2ND TO 3RD, UNDER 15 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, WHO HAD AGREED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR PARTIAL COSTS TO HAVE ALL THE FLUIDS FLUSHED AND FILLED WITH CLEAN FLUID AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF MY REGULAR SHOP, WHERE I HAD TAKEN THE TRUCK FOR INSPECTION 12 HOURS AFTER PURCHASE. AT THIS TIME I NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS CRACKED INTO THE LOCK AREA. I ASKED THE SERVICE SHOP (DIXIELAND TIRE) FOR A QUOTE ON REPAIR, THE MANAGER TOLD ME, "THAT IS A COMMON GMC PROBLEM, THE PARTS DEPT STOCKS ABOUT A DOZEN OF THOSE AND I'VE REPLACED AT LEAST 18 IN THE PAST YEARS.". THE PART COST $61.50 PLUS TAX AT 6.5%, AND LABOR OF $97.50. THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH COST $109.95 FOR THE SUPREME SERVICE. LESS THAN TWO DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CODE FOR IT CAME UP AS P1870, TRANSMISSION. THE TECH NOTICED THE SLIP. I WAS REFERRED TO A TRANS SHOP SINCE MY SERVICE SHOP DOESN'T HAVE CAPABILITY TO REPAIR TRANS. AT THIS TIME I NOTIFIED USED CAR DEALER WASHINGTON AUTO SALES THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE THE TRANS CHECKED AND REMINDED HIM THAT I HAD NOTICED THE SLIP LESS THAN 24 HRS. AFTER PURCHASE. I ASKED IF HE COULD HELP ME WITH POTENTIAL COSTS HE SAID IT DEPENDED ON WHAT THE RESULTS WERE OF THE INSPECTION SCHEDULED FOR 6-24-08. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE DOOR HANDLE, WHICH IS A WELL-KNOWN DEFECT. *TR
WHEN I BOUGHT MY USED 1998 GMC SIERRA 4X4 K1500 TRUCK IN 2003 THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT WORK! I TOOK IT INTO GUS PAULOS CHEVROLET TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THEY WARRENTY THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT SINCE IT WOULD NOT PULL OUT. THATS A 5 YRS OLD TRUCK SO NOW IN 2007 IT GOES OUT AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY ARE CHARGING ME FOR IT? THE SERVICE REP SAID "IT ONLY HAS A THREE YEAR WARRENTY".I THOUGHT IT'S A SAFTEY PART/ SAFTEY ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD FLIP THE BILL. WHAT IF IT FAILES IN A COLLISION? THE PART IS ON ORDER SO I SHOULD BE GETTING THE PART NEXT WEEK. " I HAVEN'T NEEDED IT DONE TILL NOW SINCE MY DAUGHTER IS OLD ENOUGH TO SIT UPFRONT". *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
CONSUMER COMPLAINS THE TAIL/SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED. *JG
OUR FLEET HAS A NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES MODLE YEARS 1997- 2000 WITH REPEAT FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER FOUND FLUID ON THE PASSENGER'S FLOORBOARD. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FLUID WAS CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER . AIR CONDITIONING FLUID CAUSED THE BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT OUT, CAUSING CONDENSATION TO ACCUMULATE FASTER THAN NORMAL.*AK
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 .