VehicleVerdict

1998 GMC Pickup problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 1998 GMC Pickup — 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.

22

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Pickup years?

Pickup NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted28 complaints1988: 1 complaints1990: 5 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 5 complaints1993: 2 complaints1994: 9 complaints1995: 14 complaints1996: 12 complaints1997: 28 complaints1998: 22 complaints1999: 25 complaints2000: 15 complaints2001: 6 complaints2002: 5 complaints
Pickup NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Pickup years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 GMC Pickup problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes627%
Engine314%
Visibility & Wipers314%
Body & Structure314%
Speed Control29%
Steering15%
Electrical System15%
Tires & Wheels15%
Transmission15%
Lighting15%

Does the 1998 GMC Pickup have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E040000LightingMay 15, 2006 · 1,648 units

Defect

CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHEEL CYLINDER CAP CRACKED, BRAKES OVERHEATED, THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH REAR WITH CYLINDER AND BLED THE BRAKES, LATER THE DEALER FOUND ON THE ABS SYSTEM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL CYLINDER WAS LEAKING, DEALER REPLACED REAR BRAKE SHOES AND REAR WHEEL CYLINDER. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 21, 1998

“1998 GMC PICKUP HAD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED AND STILL CONTINUES TO LEAK. I'M TOLD BY DEALERS ITS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM AND IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR $600 AND MY HAVE CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. *NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 4, 2003

“1998 GM PICKUP TRUCK WITH SEVERE CORROSION ON FRONT FRAME. CUSTOMER STATES THAT 7 OTHER VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE TO USE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMERS OBSERVATION. THE DESIGN OF THE CROSSMEMBER PROVIDED NO EXIT POINT FOR ACCUMULATED WATER, WHICH ALLOWED THE BUILD-UP OF SEDIMENT AND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 1, 2007

“I HAVE A 1998 GMC SIERRA P/U MY WISHIELD WIPERS HAVE THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: WIPERS WILL NOT WORK OR WORK INTERMITTENTLY; WIPERS STOP WORKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, MAYBE EVEN IN MID-STROKE; WIPER FUNCTION IS ERRATIC, WITH NO DELAY FEATURE, DELAY IS THE SAME REGARDLESS OF SETTING, OR NO LOW- OR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 5, 2004

“WHILE DRIVING, THE THROTTLE TENDS TO REMAIN OPEN, IT WON'T DECELERATE ONCE THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES, HOWEVER THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FIX TO THE PROBLEM. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 21, 1998

1998 GMC Pickup — common questions

Is the 1998 GMC Pickup reliable?

The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1998 Pickup problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (6 complaints), body & structure (3 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 1998 GMC Pickup have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 GMC Pickup. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.