1998 Gmc SIERRA 2500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
47,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 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 4 of 11 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 54.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
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 | 4 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal: 1; Power Train:Driveline: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 6 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 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 3; 2009: 2; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10010369 · 2003-03-12 (March 12, 2003)
KNOCK IN 5.7 G.M. MOTOR WITH 60,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT WOULD GO AWAY AFTER THE TRUCK IS STARTED COLD THIS IS NORMAL. HOW CAN THIS BE NORMAL? HOW CAN GM GET AWAY WITH THIS? I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW IN 1998 AND HAVE ALL THE OIL CHANGE RECORDS AT EVERY 3000 MILES. NOW AROUND 70,000 I WILL BE LOOKING TO PUT IN A NEW MOTOR. IS THERE ANY PLACE I CAN GO FOR HELP ON THIS PROBLEM AND DO YOU HAVE OTHER COMPLAINTS? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053039 · 2004-01-13 (January 13, 2004)
CONSTANT REAR BRAKE FAILURE WITH HEAVY BRAKING ON ROUGH ROADS. CAN BE DUPLICATED AS DESIRED.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057686 · 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)
CONSUMER STATED THAT REAR SEALS WERE LEAKING. CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE USED, AND WAS TOLD THAT SEALS WERE REPLACED AT 30000 MILES BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER. CURRENTLY, THESE SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE SEALS WERE LEAKING GREASE OR OIL WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO GRAB AND RELEASE, GRAB AND RELEASE WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A STOP. THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE ONE DAY VEHICLE MIGHT NOT STOP AT ALL. *AK *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 59,283 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074423 · 2004-05-28 (May 28, 2004)
THE VEHICLE'S FUEL INJECTIONS SYSTEM IS LEAKING. AS A RESULT, FUEL WAS SPRAYING OVER THE WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074423 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10278318 · 2009-07-26 (July 26, 2009)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO FAIL SUDDENLY ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND EVENTUALLY QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I CHECKED WITH THE DEALER FOR RECALLS AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON CHEVY & GMC TRUCKS FROM 1994 TO 1996. MY TRUCK IS A 1998 BUT IT WAS BUILT IN 1997. I WAITED FOR THE RECALL TO BE EXTENDED HOWEVER I FINALLY SPENT $60.00 AND REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART. I KNOW 3 OTHER PEOPLE WITH 1998 CHEVY/GMC TRUCKS WHO HAVE ALL HAD THIS PROBLEM. ONE RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF A CHILD AND THE IMPRISONMENT OF THE DRIVER …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10278318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10278319 · 2009-07-26 (July 26, 2009)
THE HORN SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING . I CHECKED ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND FOUND THAT THE HORN IT'S SELF HAS FAILED. I HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM TO THIS POINT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10278319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10664566 · 2014-12-16 (December 16, 2014)
THE TRUCK SHUT OFF NO POWER BRAKES, STEERING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE PULLING A TRAILER. THE GMC DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE SHUT OFF WAS THE RESULT OF A PUMP MOUNTED DRIVER (PMD) FAILURE ON THE 6.5L DIESEL MOTOR. VERY UNSAFE SHOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A ACCIDENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 280,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10664566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 784467 · 2000-01-31 (January 31, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICE SEVERE DRIVELINE VIBRATION WHICH SHAKES THE STEERING WHEEL AND TRUCK, DEALER ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRE DURING 3000 MILE CHECK UP, VEHICLE RAN A LITTLE BETTER, BUT STILL VIBRATED.*ET
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 784467 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 ↗