1998 Gmc SIERRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
138 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
71,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 50 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 138 complaints (21.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 45 | 32.6% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 7.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.4% |
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:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 30 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 21 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 6 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 30; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 21; Steering: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 6; Electrical System:Wiring: 4; Power Train: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 88 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 | 17 |
| 2001 | 22 |
| 2002 | 16 |
| 2003 | 25 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 24 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 17; 2001: 22; 2002: 16; 2003: 25; 2004: 16; 2005: 24; 2006: 7; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2010: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 3; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 45 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 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 10023404 · 2003-06-19 (June 19, 2003)
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM NOT ENGAGING. HUB DAMAGE. CONTINUOUS NEED FOR NEW BRAKES. FINALLY AN ACCIDENT IN NOV 2002.AFTER 7 MONTHS THE REPAIRS COMPLETE BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR NEW HUBS EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A BRAKE ISSUE.AFTER RESEARCH I FIND THAT THE HUBS MAY BE MADE IMPROPERLY. THE WRECK WAS CAUSED BY A MISALIGNED TONE RING OR ABS SENSOR.I BELIEVE THE HUBS ARE A PART OF THIS BUT THE DEALER DENIES IT.MY INSURANCE COVERED MOST OF THE REPAIRS WEAVER AUTO REPAIRED MANY HOSES AND THE ENGINE OIL COOLANT LINESAND ON THE 18TH OF JUNE 2003,FIRST DAY DRIVING THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 106,407 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040723 · 2003-09-26 (September 26, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004711 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)
WHILE MAKING SLOW RIGHT HAND TURNS CONSUMER NOTICE SURGING IN THE STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059419 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
THE ENGINE DIED 3 TIMES WITHIN 10 MILES WITH A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. *PH ON TWO OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT FOR A MINUTE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP DRIVER BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015713 · 2003-04-11 (April 11, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 68,065 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025058 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129045 · 2005-07-18 (July 18, 2005)
FAILURE IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSING SHORT WITH WINDSHIELD WASHER. FRIEND HAS 96 CHEVY WITH SAME PROBLEM. THEY FAIL TO WORK IN THE RAIN. WORK FINE DURING SUNSHINE. WORK ONLY OCASSIONALLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566750 · 2002-07-24 (July 24, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL, THEN SHE FELT SOMETHING HOT ON HER LEG, WHEN LOOKING SHE SAW VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND HER LEG WAS ALSO ON FIRE, FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011723 · 2003-03-14 (March 14, 2003)
THE GAS TANK COLLAPSED WHICH CAUSED GAS TO LEAK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 899585 · 2001-11-28 (November 28, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND THEN VEHICLE STALLS. AT TIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 899585 at NHTSA ↗