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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

190 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2001
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS & WASHER SPRAY INTERMITTENTLY WOULD STOP WORKING, BUZZ SOUND FROM MOTOR HOUSING. TYPICALLY I COULD GET TO START AGAIN BY HITTING BLACK COVER OF WIPER MOTOR. I TOOK OFF COVER AND DETERMINED THE CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD FAILED, PROBABLY THE RELAY. I PURCHASED NEW BOARD AND WORKS FINE. I NOTIFY NHTSA FOR 2 REASON…

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WINDSHIELD WIPERS & WASHER SPRAY INTERMITTENTLY WOULD STOP WORKING, BUZZ SOUND FROM MOTOR HOUSING. TYPICALLY I COULD GET TO START AGAIN BY HITTING BLACK COVER OF WIPER MOTOR. I TOOK OFF COVER AND DETERMINED THE CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD FAILED, PROBABLY THE RELAY. I PURCHASED NEW BOARD AND WORKS FINE. I NOTIFY NHTSA FOR 2 REASONS & THINK SHOULD BE RECALL. 1) NEW PART INDICATES NEED TO SEAL COVER, ORIGINAL NOT SEALED 2) FRIEND HAS SAME YEAR CHEVY K2500 & HAS IDENTICAL PROBLEM. SUSPECT MAY BE DUE TO NORTHEAST WEATHER CONDITIONS AND DEFECT IN DESIGN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #753023

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE WIRING OF THE DOOR, CLAIM 42-1295-954. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #6901247

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE AND WENT TO WORK, CAME OUT AND VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE FIRE PUT ITSELF OUT, THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA OF THE POWER MIRROR SWITCH, CLAIM 22-V226-581. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #6901246

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE WIRING OF THE DOOR, CLAIM 42-1295-954. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #6900444

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE AND WENT TO WORK, CAME OUT AND VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE FIRE PUT ITSELF OUT, THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA OF THE POWER MIRROR SWITCH, CLAIM 22-V226-581. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #6900443

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2001
Exterior Lighting

OUR FLEET HAS A NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES MODLE YEARS 1997- 2000 WITH REPEAT FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #752188

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN ACCELERATING SOUNDS LIKE A VIBRATING NOISE , BUT VEHICLE IS NOT VIBRATING. THIS IS A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE SOUND. *AKTHE NOISE HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND THE VEHICLE FAILED EMMISIONS INSPECTION. NLM

NHTSA ODI #896280

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2001
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #751345

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH, AND THEN VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, AND COULD NOT SHIFT GEARS ANYMORE. VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #894696

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKEDT AND SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY FOR FOUR HOURS WHEN THE CUSTOMER NOTICED FLAMES AND SMOKE, DASH HERNESS FAULTY (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT).

NHTSA ODI #562586

Official recalls

0

No 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

2

EA05007 · 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.