The dashboard cracked midways and spread to the passenger side.
The worst 1998 GMC Sierra problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes62
- Visibility32
- Steering15
- Transmission15
- Fuel system12
- Engine11
- Suspension11
- Seat belts10
- Electrical9
- Acceleration6
- Airbags6
- Tires5
- Body4
- Locks3
- Lights2
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 GMC Sierra
Wipers 32ABS 28Brake failure 10Power steering loss 7Seat belt 7Jerking 6Fire or smoke 5Stalling 5
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Tailgate support cables
General motors is conducting a safety recall to remove and replace the tailgate support cables installed in 805,368 model year 1999 and 2000 gmt 800 model vehicles.the model year 1999 and 2000 gmt-800 series vehicles that will be campaigned had contributed a significant majority of the total complaints (87%) and injuries (79%) associated with the tailgate support cable breakage in the model year 1998 - 2000 c/k series vehicles addressed by this investigation.
EA05007
Tailgate support cable breakage
Odi is upgrading rq04-010 and opening an engineering analysis to further investigate the tailgate support cables installed in 1998, 1999, and partial year 2000 silverados and sierras (c/k models).general motors is conducting recall campaign 04v‑129 to replace the tailgate support cables originally installed in certain model year 2000 - 2004 sierras and silverados.general motors has advised odi that the materials used for the tailgate cable sheathing installed in c/k models had inadvertently changed in october 1999, increasing the propensity for voids in and around the galvanized steel cable strands which can allow moisture to wick among the strands, leading to oxidation and weakening of the strands.since odi initiated rq04-010 in september 2004, odi has received 10 additonal non-injury complaints on my 1998-99 c/k vehicles, but no additional injury complaints.during this same period, gm has received 564 non-injury and 35 injury complaints. Odi has received 6 injury complaints and 38 non-injury complaints from owners of model year 2000 c/k vehicles and requires further investigation to determine whether these incidents occurred in vehicles within the scope of campaign 04v‑129 or should be added to the injury summary for rq04-010.
RQ04010
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 GMC Sierra 23
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Reduced steering effort (diagnose/replace steering wheel position sensor). kb
- Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds. tt
- Supplement to bulletin 99-06-04-047A for fuel system cleaning. tt
- Four wheel drive inoperative and the 4WD service light will illuminate. diagnosis may reveal that the atc...
- Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. tt 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks. tt
- 4WD inoperative and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U1026 atc fuse open. tt
- Replacement of connector when replacing fuel tank module/fuel pump module. tt
- Service engine soon light and P0300 when towing, cruising uphill or on hard acceleration. tt
- Rattle noise in engine. tt
- Spring slap noise from the rear of the gmt 400 series truck. mn
1998 GMC Sierra 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 | 14-16 | 19-21 | 16-18 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18-19 | 16 |
| 5.0L 8‑cyl | RWD | 13-14 | 17-18 | 15 |
| 6.5L 8‑cyl Diesel | RWD | 13 | 17 | 15 |
| 6.5L 8‑cyl Diesel | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 15 |
| 5.7L 8‑cyl | RWD | 12-13 | 17-18 | 14 |
| 5.0L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 12 | 17 | 14 |
| 5.7L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 11-12 | 16 | 13 |
What 1998 GMC Sierra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
Brakes failed while backing up and hit a tree. Found brake line was severely rusted and replaced brake line.
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.
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.
Fame rot almost completely broken on both sides in rear by leaf spring mounts
Catastrophic brake failure on state highway. No accident or injuries, but repairs included brake lines, calipers and pads due to corrosion of said lines and caliper assemblies. Shop said this is a common occurrence for gm products regardless of age of the vehicle.
1998 gmc sierra. Gmc brake line corrosion investigation. The consumer stated he experienced a corrosion related failure of the line supplying the rear brakes. The failed line went from a fitting over the gas tank to a bracket on the frame over the rear axle. From the bracket, a hose went to the differential, where the lines went out to the rear brake cylinder. An inspection showed no other corrosion.
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.
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".
Compare the 1998 GMC Sierra
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Questions about the 1998 GMC Sierra
Is the 1998 GMC Sierra reliable?
Owners have filed 190 complaints about the 1998 GMC Sierra, 3.2 times a typical Sierra model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 GMC Sierra?
Brakes, with 62 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles. Next is visibility (32).
How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Sierra have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the GMC Sierra have bad brakes?
The GMC Sierra model years with the most brakes complaints are 1999 (338 complaints), 2000 (228 complaints) and 2001 (150 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 GMC Sierra get?
Official estimates for the 1998 GMC Sierra range from 13 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 14-16 city and 19-21 highway.
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