1998 GMC Yukon 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 Yukon, 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
- Brakes2125.3%
- Visibility1619.3%
- Steering1113.3%
- Transmission78.4%
- Fuel system56.0%
- Tires & wheels44.8%
- Body & structure44.8%
- Engine33.6%
- Suspension33.6%
- Driver assistance22.4%
- Airbags22.4%
- Electrical22.4%
- Other / unspecified11.2%
- Heating & air conditioning11.2%
- Interior & seats11.2%
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
BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR, BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR CAUSING ABOUT A 10 MPH IMPACT INTO PICKUP IN FRONT OF US. GLAD WE WEREN'T UP TO SPEED WHEN THE BRAKES WENT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I HAVE RUSTED BRAKE LINES, AND THE FRONT CROSSOVER LINE LEAKING PROFUSELY DUE TO CORROSION OF METAL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AT LOW SPEEDS, THE ABS BRAKE MODULE ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE FUSE FOR THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM TO TEMPORARILY REMEDY THE FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD ABS BRAKING ABILITY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ADDRESSING THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT FUNCTION. *AK
DT: A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE THAT WAS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS STARTED ON DECEMBER 2, 2004 AND CONTINUED TO DO THIS TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE WIPERS WENT OUT. *SC
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING PUMP LOST "POWER", LUCKILY, AT LOW SPEED AND CLOSE TO HOME. THE PULLEY SHAFT BROKE OFF AT THE IMPELLER. I REPLACED THE PUMP, WITH A REMAN FROM AUTOZONE. THE "NEW" PUMP LASTED ABOUT 25 MILES BEFORE IT'S SHAFT BROKE. I'M INSTALLING A REPLACEMENT REMAN THIS EVENING. *TR
THE POWER STEERING GOES INTO "FULL MODE" AT SPEEDS ABOVE ABOUT 25 MPH, MAKING A ONE INCH MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL INTO THE EQUIVALENT OF A ONE QUARTER TURN OF THE WHEEL. IT IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON THE FREEWAY, ALTHOUGH ON CITY STREETS IT MAKES THE VEHICLE JERK AROUND IN THE LANE. THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED AND HAS RESULTED IN ONE DEATH AND ABOUT 8-10 ACCIDENTS. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS CONDITION, AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL "CLOSE CALLS" DUE TO THIS FAULTY GMC PART, WHICH HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ALREADY PUBLISHED ABOUT IT. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH OUT NOTICE. PURCHASED EXTENED SERVICE PLAN, 2,700 PAST WARRENTY AND WILL NOT HONOR. ONLY 98000 MILES. YUKON WAS NEVER USED OFF ROAD OR TO HAUL ANYTHING HEAVY.*AK
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB *SCC
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND IGNITED INTO HEAVY FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE PARKED NEXT TO THE BURNING VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E043000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
THE VEHICLE WOULD BE RUNNING FINE, THEN YOU WOULD NOT KNOW AFTER YOU MADE A STOP AND TURNED IT OFF IF IT WOULD START AGAIN. SOMETIMES YOU COULD DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES FOR A WHILE AND THEN IT WOULD START. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, THEY COULD NOT FIND A DEFINITIVE PROBLEM. THEN THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT, REPLACED IT AND TWO WEEKS LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN. REPLACED THE PUMP AND WIRING HARNESS, TWO WEEKS LATER OUT AGAIN, REPLACED PUMP AND RELAYS. THEN ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AGAIN! REPLACED THE PUMP AND THEY INSTALLED A DIFFERENT WIRING HARNESS THIS TIME, I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN IT FOR A DAY THIS TIME, WONDER HOW LONG THIS PUMP WILL LAST. THE MECHANIC I USE WENT TO THE GM DEALER TO GET THE FUEL PUMPS. ALSO, I BOUGHT THE YUKON USED, AND WHEN I FILLED IT UP I NOTICED A GAS SMELL, AND DISCOVERED IT WAS LEAKING. TOOK IT BACK TO THE CAR LOT, THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT, BUT THE NEXT TIME I FILLED UP IT WAS LEAKING AGAIN. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE FUEL PUMP SAGA STARTED! WHAT IS THE PROBLEM HERE?? I HAVE A GREAT MECHANIC AND HE HAS CHECKED THAT TRUCK ALL OVER, AND CANNOT COME UP WITH A GOOD REASON WHY THE FUEL PUMPS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED GM YET. *TR
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
BROKEN TIRE VALVE STEM LEADING TO FLAT TIRE. NEW TIRE AND VALVE STEM WAS INSTALLED 1500 MILES. *TR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED ABOUT THREE -FOUR WEEKS AGO THE ABS KICKED IN AT LOW SPEEDS, AND HE HAS NO STOPPING POWER. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THE BEARING HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO HE NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AREA. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND LIKELY REPLACED. *AK
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
A BAD ODOR WAS COMING INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS WHICH CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS TO FEEL ILL. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR MATS WERE WET AND COVERED BY CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANALYSIS AND THE MECHANIC FOUND GREEN MOLD LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE FLOOR MATS. WATER WAS LEAKING INSIDE OF THE WHEELS WELL AND DRAINED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *NLM
THE TRUNK AREA HAS A LEAK INSIDE WHICH CAUSES A BAD SMELL AND GROWTH OF MOLD. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
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
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRUCK JUST LOST ALL POWER AND CUT OFF. SHE MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT IT IN PARK. IT DIDN'T START RIGHT AWAY BUT I A COUPLE OF MINUTES IT STARTED BACK UP AND WE MADE IT HOME. IT HAS SUBSEQUENTLY DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES NOW. *TR
THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED WATER, DUE TO A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH A WET FLOOR, THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED YET. *NM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK UNDER PRESSURE WHICH RUSTED AND PITTED THE RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD. THE IMPROPERLY TORQUED GASKETS LEAKED AT 10 PSI REQUIRED BY THE MANUAL. THE REAR CLOGGED UP FORCING CONDENSATION TO BUILD UP AND ESCAPED INTO THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH SOAKED THE PADDING. *SC *JB
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
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING PROBLEM. THERE WAS A LOST OF MOTION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY UNSTABLE WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER INTO ONCOMING LANES AND OR IN TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING. *SC *JB
THE DRIVE SHAFT HAS TO BE TAKEN IN AND DROPPED TO PUT GREASE IN IT .
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
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ROUGH IDLE. *YC
THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM CAUSES THE STEERING TO CHANGE FROM VERY STIFF (I.E., DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL) TO VERY LOOSE (I.E., VERY EASY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL). THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSED THE DRIVER TO NEARLY LOOSE CONTOL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I GOT INTO A ACCIDENT. AT THE INTERSECTION OF WASHINGTON ST AND 2ND ST IN RENO NV. I IMPACTED ANOTHER CAR AS THEY WENT ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY, I IMPACTED THE PASSENGER REAR END OF THE OTHER PERSONS VEHICLE. THE MAIN POINT OF IMPACT ON MY YUKON WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT CORNER. THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT VERY BAD, NO ONE REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE SCENE. WHEN I IMPACTED I WAS TRAVELING LESS THAN 35 M P H. AND ACCORDING TO THE DRIVEWISE DEVICE. THE VEHICLE IMPACTED AFTER APPLYING THE BREAK AT APPROX 16 MPH- AT WHICH POINT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WHEN FURTHER LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE AND REPLACING THE AIRBAGS WE FOUND THAT THE SENSOR DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE WIRES BETWEEN THE AIRBAGS AND THE SENSORS WERE CRIMPED IN THE LITTLE BIT ON BODY DAMAGE THAT HAPPENED IN THE ACCIDENT, DEFLATING THE AIRBAGS UNNECESSARILY AND HINCE A SMALL ACCIDENT THAT HARDLY DAMAGED ANY OF THE VEHICLE RENDERED IT AS SALVAGE- BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING A LOW IMPACT ACCIDENT.
AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
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
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRUCK JUST LOST ALL POWER AND CUT OFF. SHE MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT IT IN PARK. IT DIDN'T START RIGHT AWAY BUT I A COUPLE OF MINUTES IT STARTED BACK UP AND WE MADE IT HOME. IT HAS SUBSEQUENTLY DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES NOW. *TR
WIPERS OPERATE IN AN INTERMITENT MANNER. THEY SLOW DOWN AND SOMETIMES STOP TOTALLY, AND THEN START OPERATING AGAIN. THEY MAY OPERATE FINE FOR A TIME AND THE START TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN STOP AGAIN. HAVE READ SOME EARLIER YEAR BLAZER AND TRUCKS HAD THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM. TURNED OUT TO BE A CRACKED CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *AK
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
THE VEHICLE WOULD BE RUNNING FINE, THEN YOU WOULD NOT KNOW AFTER YOU MADE A STOP AND TURNED IT OFF IF IT WOULD START AGAIN. SOMETIMES YOU COULD DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES FOR A WHILE AND THEN IT WOULD START. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, THEY COULD NOT FIND A DEFINITIVE PROBLEM. THEN THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT, REPLACED IT AND TWO WEEKS LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN. REPLACED THE PUMP AND WIRING HARNESS, TWO WEEKS LATER OUT AGAIN, REPLACED PUMP AND RELAYS. THEN ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AGAIN! REPLACED THE PUMP AND THEY INSTALLED A DIFFERENT WIRING HARNESS THIS TIME, I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN IT FOR A DAY THIS TIME, WONDER HOW LONG THIS PUMP WILL LAST. THE MECHANIC I USE WENT TO THE GM DEALER TO GET THE FUEL PUMPS. ALSO, I BOUGHT THE YUKON USED, AND WHEN I FILLED IT UP I NOTICED A GAS SMELL, AND DISCOVERED IT WAS LEAKING. TOOK IT BACK TO THE CAR LOT, THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT, BUT THE NEXT TIME I FILLED UP IT WAS LEAKING AGAIN. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE FUEL PUMP SAGA STARTED! WHAT IS THE PROBLEM HERE?? I HAVE A GREAT MECHANIC AND HE HAS CHECKED THAT TRUCK ALL OVER, AND CANNOT COME UP WITH A GOOD REASON WHY THE FUEL PUMPS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED GM YET. *TR
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
THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED WATER, DUE TO A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH A WET FLOOR, THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED YET. *NM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK UNDER PRESSURE WHICH RUSTED AND PITTED THE RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD. THE IMPROPERLY TORQUED GASKETS LEAKED AT 10 PSI REQUIRED BY THE MANUAL. THE REAR CLOGGED UP FORCING CONDENSATION TO BUILD UP AND ESCAPED INTO THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH SOAKED THE PADDING. *SC *JB
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
DRIVER SIDE SEAT (LEFT FRONT CONNECTION) BROKE WHILE GETTING INTO CAR. THE WELDED CONNECTION BROKE THROUGH THE METAL FRAME ON THE SEAT. A REAR END COLLISION WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE SEAT TO BREAK INTO THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER AREA IF NOT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.*JB
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 .