RoadVitals

1998 GMC Yukon Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
80
Latest Dec 7, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
15
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.
6

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.

21
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10715520 · filed May 10, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID 10458925 · filed May 18, 2012
All 21 reports naming brakes

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT FUNCTION. *AK

NHTSA ID 10191069 · filed May 17, 2007

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

NHTSA ID 10130584 · filed Aug 23, 2005
All 16 reports naming visibility

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

11
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10535403 · filed Aug 14, 2013

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

NHTSA ID 10316410 · filed Mar 3, 2010
All 11 reports naming steering

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

7
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10050687 · filed Dec 18, 2003

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB *SCC

NHTSA ID 10011407 · filed Mar 11, 2003

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.

5
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10339954 · filed Jun 25, 2010

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

NHTSA ID 10210189 · filed Nov 28, 2007

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BROKEN TIRE VALVE STEM LEADING TO FLAT TIRE. NEW TIRE AND VALVE STEM WAS INSTALLED 1500 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10269018 · filed May 18, 2009

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

NHTSA ID 10142044 · filed Nov 8, 2005

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.

4
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10040703 · filed Sep 25, 2003

THE TRUNK AREA HAS A LEAK INSIDE WHICH CAUSES A BAD SMELL AND GROWTH OF MOLD. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID 10038136 · filed Sep 3, 2003

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.

3
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10626205 · filed Aug 18, 2014

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

NHTSA ID 10065525 · filed Apr 29, 2004

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.

3
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10072195 · filed Jun 14, 2004

THE DRIVE SHAFT HAS TO BE TAKEN IN AND DROPPED TO PUT GREASE IN IT .

NHTSA ID 730638 · filed Sep 7, 2000

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ROUGH IDLE. *YC

NHTSA ID 607715 · filed Feb 1, 1999

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.

NHTSA ID 540735 · filed Sep 2, 1998

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.

2
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11287715 · filed Dec 7, 2019

AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

NHTSA ID 10090001 · filed Aug 30, 2004

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10626205 · filed Aug 18, 2014

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

NHTSA ID 747439 · filed Jun 26, 2001

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10210189 · filed Nov 28, 2007

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10065525 · filed Apr 29, 2004

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10008335 · filed Mar 2, 2003

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

Data on this page last refreshed .