Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 1998 GMC Envoy — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
24
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility & Wipers | 5 | 21% | new |
| Tires & Wheels | 3 | 13% | new |
| Suspension | 3 | 13% | new |
| Engine | 3 | 13% | new |
| Lighting | 3 | 13% | new |
| Brakes | 2 | 8% | new |
| Electrical System | 2 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 1 | 4% | new |
| Transmission | 1 | 4% | new |
| Other | 1 | 4% | new |
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONSOLE COVER/ARMREST CAM LATCH THAT COULD RELEASE AT LESS THAN THE REQUIRED LOAD OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence
DURING A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURY AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.
Defect
THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 2,600, ARE LOCATED LESS THAN 100MM FROM THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD WARNING LAMPS, AND ARE NOT DEACTIVATED WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL OR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS ARE ACTIVATED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence
THIS CONDITION WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR DRIVERS OF ONCOMING VEHICLES TO SEE THE TURN SIGNAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BODY CONTROL MODULE AND REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE WITH A NEW CALIBRATION THAT WILL TURN THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS OFF WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL OR HAZARD WARNING FLASHER IS ACTIVATED.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHEN DRIVING UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT UNEXPECTEDLY AND THEN CAME BACK ON. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK *JB”
“UPON PURCHASING VEHICLE, IN FIRST YEAR, HEADLIGHTS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN SAME YEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”
“ON MONDAY, 5/3/04, MY SON BACKED OUR 1998 GMC ENVOY OUT OF HIS GARAGE. THE LEFT FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO GMC DEALER, THE BALL JOINT AND CV JOINTS FAILED. DEALER ADVISED US RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR GMC JIMMYS UP TO 1996 YEAR, BUT NOTHING FOR 1998. HAD MY SON BEEN DRIVING ON…”
“TRACTION MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND RESULTING IN VEHICLE SPINING WHICH COYLD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”
“VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF NEGLECT. ENGINE LOCKED UP WITH OUT WARNING. MANUFACTURE IS NOT WILLING TO SHARE COST OF REPLACMENT BUT DOES AGREE THAT ENGINE HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM.”
The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (5 complaints), engine (3 complaints), tires & wheels (3 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 GMC Envoy. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Envoy years to avoid are 2005, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008. The cleanest record among Envoy years belongs to 1997.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.