VehicleVerdict

1998 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 is among the quieter years of the Sierra 1500 on NHTSA's books: 68 complaints (69% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (28% of the total).

68

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Sierra 1500 years?

See all Sierra 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1928%
Visibility & Wipers1116%
Transmission812%
Steering69%
Airbags46%
Fuel System46%
Body & Structure46%
Engine34%
Electrical System34%
Speed Control11%
Latches & Locks11%
Suspension11%
Seat Belts11%
Lighting11%
Seats11%

Does the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

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

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

98V187000Fuel SystemAugust 10, 1998 · 55,272 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT, INNER CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK CAN CONTACT THE BODY SILL EITHER INTERMITTENTLY OR CONSTANTLY. THIS MOVEMENT CAN CAUSE A DISCERNIBLE NOISE AND, OVER TIME, CAN WEAR A HOLE IN OR CRACK THE FUEL TANK AT POINT OF CONTACT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND A DISTINCT FUEL ODOR IF THE TANK WERE FILLED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE HOLE OR CRACK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK FOR WEAR AND, EITHER INSTALL A SPACER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER, OR IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.

98V033000BrakesFebruary 17, 1998 · 1,137 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WHERE THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED QUICK AND HARD IN TRAFFIC OR ON TURNS WHERE THE ROAD IS SOMEWHAT SLIGHTLY BUMPY OR ROUGH AND THE BRAKES WILL CHATTER AND BUZZ, THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT STOP. ON THE APRIL 1999 INCIDENT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 21, 1999 · crash

THE SWITCH FOR THE REMOTE CONTROL OUTSIDE MIRRORS CAUGHT FIRE. RUINING THE SWITCH, ASSOCIATED HARNESS AND THE DOOR PANEL. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH MY DEALER QUOTING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V093000. HE REFUSES TO HONOR THE RECALL SAYING MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 29, 2005 · fire

WITNESSED CARL BLACK DEALERSHIP COVER-UP SAFETY PROBLEMS TOO MYSELF AND MANY CUSTOMERS IN MY MANY HOURS IN THIER DEALERSHIP (THEY ROUTINELY CALL SAFETY PROBLEMS AS "NORMAL "TO THEIR CUSTOMERS THIS INCLUDES PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES AND STEERING. THEIR CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT THEIR PROBLEMS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WHEEL BECOMES LOOSE, AND IT WILL STEER EITHER TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 1, 1998 · crash

MY DASHBOARD BECAME BRITTLE, AND FALLS APART IF YOU TOUCH IT! ALSO MY TRANSMISSION HAS HAD TO BE REBUILT THREE TIMES. BUT IM ONLY WORRIED ABOUT MY DASH. *JS

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 16, 2004

1998 GMC Sierra 1500 — common questions

Is the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 68 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sierra 1500 year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1998 Sierra 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (19 complaints), visibility & wipers (11 complaints), transmission (8 complaints).

Does the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2020, 2023, 2017, 2016, 2008, 2024, 2018, 2011, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2012. The cleanest record among Sierra 1500 years belongs to 1995.

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.