Complaints
68
Crashes
6
Fires
2
Injuries
5
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#19 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:87,200 mi
#25 complaints
Hydraulic Brakes
Avg mileage:90,906 mi
#35 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Avg mileage:84,500 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 | — | — | 87,200 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | — | — | 90,906 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 5 | — | — | 84,500 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Driveline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,200
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,906
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,500
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Driveline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Sierra 1500 Years
1998 GMC Sierra 1500 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 has 68 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (9 complaints, avg 87,200 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (5 complaints, avg 90,906 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor (5 complaints, avg 84,500 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 87,465 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 include 6 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 GMC Sierra 1500?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 GMC Sierra 1500
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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