Complaints
230
Crashes
19
Fires
8
Injuries
9
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 GMC Sierra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#145 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:66,534 mi
Crash-related:6
#222 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Avg mileage:82,164 mi
Fires:1
#39 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:59,750 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 GMC Sierra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 45 | 6 | — | 66,534 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 22 | — | 1 | 82,164 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 9 | — | — | 59,750 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 8 | — | — | 74,000 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 6 | — | — | 125,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | — | — | 83,012 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 4 | — | 4 | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 2 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
45
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,534
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
82,164
Steering Defects
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,750
Automatic Transmission
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,000
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
125,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,012
Electrical System:Wiring
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brake Master Cylinder
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 GMC Sierra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Sierra Years
1998 GMC Sierra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 GMC Sierra reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1998 GMC Sierra has 230 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 45 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 GMC Sierra?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (45 complaints, avg 66,534 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor (22 complaints, avg 82,164 mi); Steering Defects (9 complaints, avg 59,750 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 GMC Sierra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 74,699 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 GMC Sierra include 19 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 GMC Sierra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 GMC Sierra as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 GMC Sierra?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 GMC Sierra
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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