GM theft system engaged leaving me stranded multiple times including on a remote mountain side. I was only able to get a cell signal by walking a few KM's down the road in the middle of the night to call for help. When I was able to get a hold of the dealer in the morning, they instructed me on how to "relearn" the key code and drive the van to the dealership. They cut a new key and sent me on my way. Since, the van theft system has left me stranded multiple times and me having to spend half an hour or more doing the relearn procedure. Warning lamps include "security' light illuminated on dash. Van starts, runs for 2 seconds and turns off.
The worst 1998 GMC Savana problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes9
- Airbags6
- Tires5
- Body4
- Electrical4
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes9
- Airbags6
- Tires5
- Body4
- Electrical4
- Fuel system3
- Acceleration2
- Engine2
- Transmission1
- Visibility1
Recalls 1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. One or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.
- Risk
- If a driver continues to drive with a cracked rotor, the cracks could continue around the wheel mounting bolt circle and ultimately result in a wheel separation.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
Recall number 98V033000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 GMC Savana 65
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline...
- Fuel system, gasoline
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Fuel system, gasoline
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest...
- This preliminary information communication advises the technician that the hydro-boost is not serviceable...
1998 GMC Savana fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 13 | 17-18 | 15 |
| 5.0L 8‑cyl | RWD | 13 | 16-18 | 14-15 |
| 5.7L 8‑cyl | RWD | 12-13 | 17 | 14 |
What 1998 GMC Savana owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dt*: the contact stated the ABS engages at low speeds of 5mph and below. This primarily happens while stopping the vehicle. There is a the federal safety agency recall # 05v379000 concerning the ABS. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN and the year of the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, but no repairs were made.
Dt the vehicle caught on fire. Had not contacted gmc at this point. This happened on july 18, 2005. Vehicle was burned completely by the time the fire department got there. The vehicle started slowing down, pulled over, and the fire was under the bottom around catalytic converter.
The hinges onthe side doors are breaking causing the doors to bind and not able to open.you cant get in or out of the van using the side doors. Fist the inside door banels bound on each other and were torn off.*ak the hinges are welded to the gmc van. I cant replace them.
The cable which controlled the side passenger door broke.*mr. Three months later the cable which held the spare tire broke. *ts
The hinges on the side doors of my 1998 gmc savana van of the 4 hinges: 1 is broken and 2 are cracked. I called gmc and got the run around. They said they would not replace them unless you issued a recall on the hinges.
Intake manifold gasket failure (plastic gasket) allowing coolant to leak.
Firestone, tire size lt245/75r16 dot vn11b1a108. Tread separated on three tires. Equipment for a 1998, gmc, 15 passenger van. Dealer contacted. *ak
Door hinges were breaking and coming apart from vehicle. Please attach more information about problem.
Vehicle will accelerate on its own when put in gear as soon as consumer takes foot off brake. This has happened. Dealer cannot remedy problem. *ak the master cylinder leaks brake fluid and brake pedal was low. The consumer uses brake excessively because of lack of engine deceleration. There is coolant leak at right rear intake manifold.
Compare the 1998 GMC Savana
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Questions about the 1998 GMC Savana
Is the 1998 GMC Savana reliable?
Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 1998 GMC Savana, 11.0 times a typical Savana model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 GMC Savana?
Brakes, with 9 complaints. Next is airbags (6).
How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Savana have?
1 recall, covering service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 1998 GMC Savana brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 98V033000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the GMC Savana have bad brakes?
The GMC Savana model years with the most brakes complaints are 2000 (21 complaints) and 1999 (13 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 GMC Savana get?
Official estimates for the 1998 GMC Savana range from 14 to 15 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 13 city and 17-18 highway.
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