IllustrationTL* 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.
1998 GMC Sierra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sierra years
Owner complaints for the 1998 GMC Sierra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sierra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
725–50K
1850–75K
1175–100K
10100–150K
2150K+
50 reports with mileage · 140 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports8 fire reports8 injury reports
Power Train complaints
15 reports1998 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 PA…
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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. *TR
DON'T HAVE MY VIN HANDY AT THE MOMENT B/C MY TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP HAVING $1400 OF TRANSMISSION WORK DONE ON IT. IT'S A 1998 GMC SIERRA 2WD, AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 8/21/03. THE TRANNY HAD 84,000 MILES BEFORE COMLETE FAILURE. THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN BY AN EXCEPTIONALLY GENTLE DRIVER, NEVER USED FOR TOWING (EVEN THOUGH IT C…
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DON'T HAVE MY VIN HANDY AT THE MOMENT B/C MY TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP HAVING $1400 OF TRANSMISSION WORK DONE ON IT. IT'S A 1998 GMC SIERRA 2WD, AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 8/21/03. THE TRANNY HAD 84,000 MILES BEFORE COMLETE FAILURE. THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN BY AN EXCEPTIONALLY GENTLE DRIVER, NEVER USED FOR TOWING (EVEN THOUGH IT CAME WITH A TOWING "PACKAGE") AND NEVER ABUSED IN ANY WAY. YESTERDAY, IT WOULDN'T REVERSE OR GO INTO 1ST GEAR. TWO WEEKS PRIOR IT BEGAN SHIFTING HARD, EMITTING A LOUD "CLANK" SOUND...WE KNEW THE END WAS NEAR!
FRONT END SHOOK WHILE BRAKING. BRAKING DISTANCE SEEMED NORMAL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, AND DEALER REPLACED AND TURNED FRONT ROTORS FOUR TIMES. IN MAY 2003, MECHANIC NOTICED REAR AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING GREASE ONTO REAR BRAKE DRUMS, CAUSING REAR BRAKES TO FAIL, SEAL WAS REPLACED. CURRENTLY, SEAL IS LEAKING AG…
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FRONT END SHOOK WHILE BRAKING. BRAKING DISTANCE SEEMED NORMAL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, AND DEALER REPLACED AND TURNED FRONT ROTORS FOUR TIMES. IN MAY 2003, MECHANIC NOTICED REAR AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING GREASE ONTO REAR BRAKE DRUMS, CAUSING REAR BRAKES TO FAIL, SEAL WAS REPLACED. CURRENTLY, SEAL IS LEAKING AGAIN, REAR BRAKE DRUMS NEED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INCORRECTLY. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME HOT, AND DISENGAGED FROM OVERDRIVE TO LOCK UP MODE, AND BLEW 2 QUARTS OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT THE VENTS*MR *TS *JB
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
I HAVE A 1998 GMC Z71 WITH 61,000 MILES THAT I BOUGH NEW AND JUST HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN AT A COST OF $2000.00. WHEN I TOLD THE SERVICEMAN WHAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOING HE AUTOMATICALLY NEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE SAID THAT IT WAS THE SHAFT HOUSING THAT HAD BUSTED AND IT MESSED UP THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. IT SOU…
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I HAVE A 1998 GMC Z71 WITH 61,000 MILES THAT I BOUGH NEW AND JUST HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN AT A COST OF $2000.00. WHEN I TOLD THE SERVICEMAN WHAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOING HE AUTOMATICALLY NEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE SAID THAT IT WAS THE SHAFT HOUSING THAT HAD BUSTED AND IT MESSED UP THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN BY THE WAY HE RESPONDED. HE SAID THAT THE SHAFT HOUSING WAS NOT AS HEAVILY BUILT AS THE NEW ONE THEY INSTALLED. DOES THIS MEAN THAT OTHER OWNERS WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE TRUCK AROUND 60,000 MILES? IT SOUNDS LIKE A DEFFECT TO ME IF THE SHAFT HOUSING WAS NOT BUILT STRONG ENOUGH TO TAKE THE USE THAT A TRUCK IS PUT THROUGH. I TOW A SMALL 5X10 UTILITY TRAILER AND HAVE HAULED A 27 TRAVEL TRAILER ONE TIME WITH THIS TRUCK SO IT DOES NOT HAUL A LOT OF WEIGHT. I JUST HOPE THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER ONE IN ABOUT 60,000 MILES. I LIKE MY TRUCK AND HAVE PAYED A LOT OF MONEY FOR IT AND PLAN TO KEEP IT.*AK
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH, AND THEN VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, AND COULD NOT SHIFT GEARS ANYMORE. VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. *AK
TRANSMISSION MADE GRINDING NOISES IN LOW AND HIGH GEARS, AND SHIFTING WAS ROUGH. DROVE DIRECTLY TO TRANSMISSION SHOP. CALLED SERVICE MANAGER AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBILITY AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. VEHICLE WAS ONLY 4,000 OVER WARRANTY.*AK
INITIAL PROBLEM 09/02/98 WAS BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKING CAUSING BRAKES TO FADE. AGAIN ON 11/04/98 REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKING, ADJUSTED BRAKES. 11/06/98 BRAKES LOCKING-UP. 11/13/98 BRAKES GRABBING, REPLACED BOTH REAR BRAKE SHOES, ABS LIGHT ON-MODULE NOT ACTIVATING BRAKE RELEASE-REPLACED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE-MASTER CYL BYPASSI…
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INITIAL PROBLEM 09/02/98 WAS BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKING CAUSING BRAKES TO FADE. AGAIN ON 11/04/98 REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKING, ADJUSTED BRAKES. 11/06/98 BRAKES LOCKING-UP. 11/13/98 BRAKES GRABBING, REPLACED BOTH REAR BRAKE SHOES, ABS LIGHT ON-MODULE NOT ACTIVATING BRAKE RELEASE-REPLACED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE-MASTER CYL BYPASSING-REPLACED MASTER CYL. 01/20/99 ABS LIGHT COMES ON-BRAKE PEDDLE HARD TO PUSH-REPLACED ABS BRAKE VALVE. 03/23/99 BRAKES FAILED TO SLOW VEHICLE-INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT-REPLACED ABS PRESSURE MODULATING VALVE.
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA05007 · Tailgate Support Cables
Opened Apr 14, 2005 · Closed Apr 11, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch; Structure:body:tailgate ; Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments
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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
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.
Structure:body:tailgate
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.
Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments
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.
RQ04010 · Tailgate Support Cable Breakage
Opened Sep 28, 2004 · Closed Apr 14, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch; Structure:body:tailgate ; Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments
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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
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.
Structure:body:tailgate
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.
Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments
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.