1998 Gmc SAVANA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
63,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 24 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 20.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 |
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 2
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 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 21 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 | 6 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 10; 2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10011080 · 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE (PLASTIC GASKET) ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011080 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021047 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)
THE HINGES ON THE SIDE DOORS OF MY 1998 GMC SAVANA VAN OF THE 4 HINGES: 1 IS BROKEN AND 2 ARE CRACKED. I CALLED GMC AND GOT THE RUN AROUND. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THEM UNLESS YOU ISSUED A RECALL ON THE HINGES. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029628 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
THE CABLE WHICH CONTROLLED THE SIDE PASSENGER DOOR BROKE.*MR. THREE MONTHS LATER THE CABLE WHICH HELD THE SPARE TIRE BROKE. *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090593 · 2004-09-07 (September 7, 2004)
THE HINGES ONTHE SIDE DOORS ARE BREAKING CAUSING THE DOORS TO BIND AND NOT ABLE TO OPEN.YOU CANT GET IN OR OUT OF THE VAN USING THE SIDE DOORS. FIST THE INSIDE DOOR BANELS BOUND ON EACH OTHER AND WERE TORN OFF.*AK THE HINGES ARE WELDED TO THE GMC VAN. I CANT REPLACE THEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10090593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133505 · 2005-08-19 (August 19, 2005)
DT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD NOT CONTACTED GMC AT THIS POINT. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 18, 2005. VEHICLE WAS BURNED COMPLETELY BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE. THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN, PULLED OVER, AND THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE BOTTOM AROUND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10133505 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150898 · 2006-02-22 (February 22, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS ENGAGES AT LOW SPEEDS OF 5MPH AND BELOW. THIS PRIMARILY HAPPENS WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 05V379000 CONCERNING THE ABS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN AND THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478501 · 2022-08-09 (August 9, 2022)
GM theft system engaged leaving me stranded multiple times including on a remote mountain side. I was only able to get a cell signal by walking a few KM's down the road in the middle of the night to call for help. When I was able to get a hold of the dealer in the morning, they instructed me on how to "relearn" the key code and drive the van to the dealership. They cut a new key and sent me on my way. Since, the van theft system has left me stranded multiple times and me having to spend half an hour or more doing the relearn procedure. Warning …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11478501 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552990 · 2000-07-12 (July 12, 2000)
THE VEHICLE'S DELCO BATTERY (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT) HAS BEEN LEAKING ACID ON THE SIDE CONNECTION, CONSUMER LOST CURRENT THREE TIMES IN APP 75 FEET OF TRAVEL. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552990 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
98V033000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
Reported: 1998-02-17 (February 17, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OR BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTOR/HUBS WERE BUILT WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION GRAY IRON THAT CAN FAIL DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: IF A DRIVER CONTINUES TO DRIVE WITH A CRACKED ROTOR, THE CRACKS COULD CONTINUE AROUND THE WHEEL MOUNTING BOLT CIRCLE AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.
NHTSA campaign record ↗