1998 Gmc YUKON: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
97,925 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 36 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 68 complaints (14.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 25.0% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 17.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 7.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 3 |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Steering: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 3; Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion): 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 7
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 32 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 | 6 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 6; 2002: 2; 2003: 13; 2004: 15; 2005: 10; 2006: 4; 2007: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 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 10008172 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
A NOTICEABLE PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN GOING AROUND A CURVE THAT GOES TO THE LEFT, IT WILL STARTLE YOU AT FIRST. POSSIBLY THE STEERING BOX OR RELATED STEERING COLUMN. HAS HAPPENED TO MANY TIMES TO REMEMBER. FREINDS OF MINE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 98 TAHOE, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY VEHICLE, THEN I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, WHICH GMC SAYS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR ONLY LIKE 45OO VEHICLES INVOLVED , BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS A LOT MORE. PLEASE HELP . *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008335 · 2003-03-02 (March 2, 2003)
DRIVER SIDE SEAT (LEFT FRONT CONNECTION) BROKE WHILE GETTING INTO CAR. THE WELDED CONNECTION BROKE THROUGH THE METAL FRAME ON THE SEAT. A REAR END COLLISION WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE SEAT TO BREAK INTO THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER AREA IF NOT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010292 · 2003-03-11 (March 11, 2003)
1998 GMC YUKON NEEDS TRANSMISSION REPLACED, WHICH IS BECOMING A PROBLEM WITH THIS AND OTHER SUV'S FROM GM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011407 · 2003-03-11 (March 11, 2003)
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017005 · 2003-05-04 (May 4, 2003)
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY 1998 GMC YUKON WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE FIRST TIME I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE TOWING A 23 FT. BOAT! I KNOW GM HAS RECALLED MANY VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY DID NOT INCLUDE 1998 MODELS! PLEASE MAKE THEM FIX THE WHOLE PROBLEM BEFORE A LOT OF PEOPLE DIE! I ALMOST TOOK OUT THREE VEHICLES BEFORE I COULD GET OVER ON THE SHOULDER! I'VE FIXED MY YUKON ALREADY BECAUSE IT WAS TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BUT GM IS STILL DROPPING THE BALL! *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017005 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018333 · 2003-05-07 (May 7, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1998 YUKON NEVER SEEM TO WANT TO WORK WHEN IT RAINS. OTHER TIMES THEY SEEM TO BE OK ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME, BUT THE FAILURE IN THE RAIN IS ABOUT 75%. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021722 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
NAR 05/28/2003 *MR THE CONSUMER BRAKES LOCKED IN A MAJOR TRAFFIC JAM DUE TO SENSOR FAILURE AND THE COST OF REPAIRS WERE APPROX $455.00. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021722 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031147 · 2003-08-09 (August 9, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031147 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
97V142000 · Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
Reported: 1997-08-29 (August 29, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY EXTENDED-CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 4-DOOR UTILITY TRUCKS. THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING GEAR PINCH BOLT IS "FINGER LOOSE" OR MISSING ALLOWING THE BOLT TO LOOSEN AND FALL OUT. THE STEERING SHAFT YOKE CAN WEAR CAUSING AN OFF CENTER STEERING WHEEL.
Consequence: RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND CAB CAN CAUSE THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE ARRANGING TO HAVE THE VEHICLES INVOLVED TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION IS BEING ARRANGED FOR OWNERS. DEALERS WILL THEN INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PINCH BOLT AND TORQUE THIS BOLT TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗