1998 Gmc SIERRA 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
128,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 45.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 18.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2007: 1; 2009: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10254211 · 2009-01-08 (January 8, 2009)
ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM ON MY TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED AND IT WAS HARD TO STOP THE TRUCK. I HAD THE BRAKE BOOSTER REPLACED TWO TIMES THEN HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED AS THIS IS CONNECTED TO MY BRAKE SYSTEM. ABOUT A YEAR AFTER I HAD THIS WORK DONE GMC RECALLED THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY TRUCK. NOW I AM HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS SYSTEM AGAIN. IF I TURN MY TRUCK RIGHT OR LEFT THE BRAKE ACTIVATE JUST LIKE YOU ARE PUSHING ON THE BRAKE TO STOP. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT M…
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10254211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10419883 · 2011-08-17 (August 17, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT INFORMED THE DEALER, AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10419883 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550809 · 2000-02-08 (February 8, 2000)
MAIN BATTERY CABLE FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE WHILE IDLING. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856864 · 2000-02-14 (February 14, 2000)
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IS CONTINUALLY FAILING. CONSUMER STATES THAT IT IS AN ELECTRICAL FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AND THE SENSOR HAS BEEN CHANGED. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184019 · 2007-03-02 (March 2, 2007)
SEVERE VEHICLE FRAME CORROSION/RUSTING OF FRONT FRAME EXTENSIONS, PARTICULARLY IN AREA OF STEERING BOX MOUNTING OF SEVERAL AGENCY OWNED 98-2000 YEAR MODEL CHEVROLET & GMC PICKUP TRUCKS. DISPOSITION IS SCRAPPING VEHICLES AS BEYOND ECONOMICAL REPAIR AND UNSAFE TO OPERATE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 95,173 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184019 at NHTSA ↗