Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 GMC C/K Pickup
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
646.2%
3 crashes, 0 fires · median 77,203 mi
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
538.5%
Median failure at 110,990 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
17.7%
Median failure at 75,000 miles
Body & Structure
17.7%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
111.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
555.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
222.2%
150,000+ miles
111.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2003peak 3Dec 2007
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 GMC C/K Pickup
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA02005Opened 17 May 2002Closed 1 May 2003ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVER DOOR ELECTRICAL FIRES
BY LETTER DATED MARCH 19, 2003, THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA OF THE DECISION TO INITATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON SELECTED VEHICLES WITHIN THE SUBJECT POPULATION.THE CAMPAIGN INVOLVES 507,000 C/K AND M/L VEHICLES BUILT DURING MODEL YEARS 1997-1998.THE RECALL INVOLVES VEHICLE MODELS WITH HIGH INCIDENT RATES AND BUILT AT SELECTED ASSEMBLY PLANTS.A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE DEFECT WASINHERENT VARIATIONS IN ASSEMBLY CONDITIONS, WORKER SKILL LEVELS ANDPROCESSES THAT EXIST FROM ONE ASSEMBLY LOCATION TO ANOTHER.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OU...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 195,000 milesWinnipeg, NDCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES AT LOW SPEED DUE TO A.B.S. COMPUTER FAILURE RESULTING IN A CRASH. (1)VEHICLE PASSED GOVERNMENT SAFETY INSPECTION. WITHIN ONE MONTH REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKED NEW BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT LOCAL INDEPENDENT SHOP WITH NEW BRAKE PADS DUE TO OIL CONTAMINATION COMMENTED DID NOT LIKE MY BRAKES AFTER TEST DRIVE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER FOR EVALUTION. SEVRICE MANAGER DETERMINED THE REED SWITCHES IN FRONT BOTH REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $750 I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY KIND OF RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS I HAD EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE IN A WORK TRUCK . I WAS TOLD THIS WAS AN OLD TRUCK WITH NEARLY 200,000 KILOMETERS ON IT. I WAS ALSO TOLD NO, THERE ARE NO SERVICE ISSUES OR RECALLS AND I WAS RESPONSABLE. I WANTED A SECOND OPINION ON THE DIAGNOSISUPON RETURNING HOME THE NEXT DAY I STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE AT LESS THAN 5 M.P.H. .THIS OCCURED WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES BECAUSE NOTHING HAPPENED. NO BREAKING ACTION!I RETURNED TO THE INDEPENDANT WHO CHECKED THE $750. REED SWITCHES AND FOUND THE MILLIAMP OUTPUT TO BE NORMAL. HE SHOWED ME A G.M.BULLETIN THAT SAID THE REED SWITHES MAY NOT FUNCTION DUE TO REDUCED EFFECT OF THE MAGNETS ON THE REED SWITCHES BECAUSE OF CORROSION OR ROAD GRIME.THE DEALER DIAGNOSTIC WAS FAULSE AND THE SAME RESULT WOULD OF OCCURED.THE INDEPENDANT SAID THE $1000. PLUS COMPUTER WAS DEFECTIVE.IT WAS QUICLY UNPLUGGED AND 30,000 TROUBLE FREE KILOMETERS WERE SINCE RACKED UP WITHOUT A BRAKEING CONCERN. I USE MY TRUCK. I HAUL FIREWOOD AND A FISHING BOAT.THIS IS MY POINT.I AM TIRED OF BIG COMPANIES RISKING LIVES OF CONSUMERS.WE HAVE BEEN STOPPING MASS IN MOTION FOR MANY YEARS .IF AN IMPROVEMENT IS MADE TO AN EXISTING PROVEN SYSTEM,THAT SYSTEM CANNOT CAUSE THE EXISTING SYSTEM TO FAILE. IF A.B.S. ON A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS THE BRAKES MUST STILL FUNCTION.THIS WAS NOT THE CASE.THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO LIGHT, JUST TOTAL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10171255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,203 milesBillerica, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I AM WRITING ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN 1998 GMC SIERA EXT. CAB P/U. THE ISSUE AT HAND IS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE ABS SYSTEM WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, IT HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS. I SPOKE TO MY MECHANIC TODAY SAID IT WOULD COST WELL OVER $600.00 TO CORRECT ISSUE, AND HE HAS RAN ACROSS THIS ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS GMC PICK UPS. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS TWICE ON THE FRONT BRAKES, I HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE THE WAY I AM SUPPOSED TO MAINTIAN IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IF THIS ABS PROBLEM.AS I WAS BACKING UP I APLIED BRAKES, AND THE ABS DEPLOYED. I'M JUST GLAD IT WASN'T A CHILD THAT WAS BEHIND ME. IT SEEMS THAT GMC HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BRAKING SYSTEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10037566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,203 milesBillerica, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
I AM WRITING ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN 1998 GMC SIERA EXT. CAB P/U. THE ISSUE AT HAND IS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE ABS SYSTEM WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, IT HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS. I SPOKE TO MY MECHANIC TODAY SAID IT WOULD COST WELL OVER $600.00 TO CORRECT ISSUE, AND HE HAS RAN ACROSS THIS ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS GMC PICK UPS. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS TWICE ON THE FRONT BRAKES, I HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE THE WAY I AM SUPPOSED TO MAINTIAN IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IF THIS ABS PROBLEM.AS I WAS BACKING UP I APLIED BRAKES, AND THE ABS DEPLOYED. I'M JUST GLAD IT WASN'T A CHILD THAT WAS BEHIND ME. IT SEEMS THAT GMC HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BRAKING SYSTEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10037566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 80,000 milesCenterville, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1998 GMC SIERRA. A CAR CUT IN FRONT OF MY TRUCK AND I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES VERY HARD. WHEN I DID THIS ,THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ALONG THE FRAME RAIL FAILED AT THE BEND WHERE IT JOINS WITH THE REAR BRAKE HOSE. THE FAILURE APPEARED TO BE FROM RUST. *TR THIS,I FEEL ,WAS DUE TO POOR LOCATION. I HAVE A 1955 CHEVY PICKUP , THAT UNTIL 1 YEAR AGO STILL HAD ITS ORIGINAL LINES STILL WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10212644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesCenterville, OH
STRUCTURE
1998 GMC SIERRA. A CAR CUT IN FRONT OF MY TRUCK AND I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES VERY HARD. WHEN I DID THIS ,THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ALONG THE FRAME RAIL FAILED AT THE BEND WHERE IT JOINS WITH THE REAR BRAKE HOSE. THE FAILURE APPEARED TO BE FROM RUST. *TR THIS,I FEEL ,WAS DUE TO POOR LOCATION. I HAVE A 1955 CHEVY PICKUP , THAT UNTIL 1 YEAR AGO STILL HAD ITS ORIGINAL LINES STILL WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10212644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Central Square, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WIPER WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR GM K1500 1992-97, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS A 1998. I HAVE FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR 1998 WITH THIS SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10198401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 195,000 milesWinnipeg, NDCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES AT LOW SPEED DUE TO A.B.S. COMPUTER FAILURE RESULTING IN A CRASH. (1)VEHICLE PASSED GOVERNMENT SAFETY INSPECTION. WITHIN ONE MONTH REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKED NEW BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT LOCAL INDEPENDENT SHOP WITH NEW BRAKE PADS DUE TO OIL CONTAMINATION COMMENTED DID NOT LIKE MY BRAKES AFTER TEST DRIVE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER FOR EVALUTION. SEVRICE MANAGER DETERMINED THE REED SWITCHES IN FRONT BOTH REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $750 I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY KIND OF RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS I HAD EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE IN A WORK TRUCK . I WAS TOLD THIS WAS AN OLD TRUCK WITH NEARLY 200,000 KILOMETERS ON IT. I WAS ALSO TOLD NO, THERE ARE NO SERVICE ISSUES OR RECALLS AND I WAS RESPONSABLE. I WANTED A SECOND OPINION ON THE DIAGNOSISUPON RETURNING HOME THE NEXT DAY I STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE AT LESS THAN 5 M.P.H. .THIS OCCURED WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES BECAUSE NOTHING HAPPENED. NO BREAKING ACTION!I RETURNED TO THE INDEPENDANT WHO CHECKED THE $750. REED SWITCHES AND FOUND THE MILLIAMP OUTPUT TO BE NORMAL. HE SHOWED ME A G.M.BULLETIN THAT SAID THE REED SWITHES MAY NOT FUNCTION DUE TO REDUCED EFFECT OF THE MAGNETS ON THE REED SWITCHES BECAUSE OF CORROSION OR ROAD GRIME.THE DEALER DIAGNOSTIC WAS FAULSE AND THE SAME RESULT WOULD OF OCCURED.THE INDEPENDANT SAID THE $1000. PLUS COMPUTER WAS DEFECTIVE.IT WAS QUICLY UNPLUGGED AND 30,000 TROUBLE FREE KILOMETERS WERE SINCE RACKED UP WITHOUT A BRAKEING CONCERN. I USE MY TRUCK. I HAUL FIREWOOD AND A FISHING BOAT.THIS IS MY POINT.I AM TIRED OF BIG COMPANIES RISKING LIVES OF CONSUMERS.WE HAVE BEEN STOPPING MASS IN MOTION FOR MANY YEARS .IF AN IMPROVEMENT IS MADE TO AN EXISTING PROVEN SYSTEM,THAT SYSTEM CANNOT CAUSE THE EXISTING SYSTEM TO FAILE. IF A.B.S. ON A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS THE BRAKES MUST STILL FUNCTION.THIS WAS NOT THE CASE.THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO LIGHT, JUST TOTAL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10171255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Empire, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #10161186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,980 milesHenderson, NC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING RAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10156146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesClifton Springs, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ON MY 98 GMC 4X4 PICKUP FIRE @ SPEEDS BELOW 5 MPH CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STOP AT A MUCH GREATER DISTANCE THAN NORMAL THIS IS DUE TO BAD WHEEL SPEED SENSORS I HAD THE TRUCK PUT ON A SCANNER AND IT TURNS OUT THAT BOTH SENSORS ARE BAD AND @ AROUND 200 BUCKS FOR NEW A BEARING + LABOR THIS IS NOT AN EASY CHEAP FIX I ENDED UP PULLING THE FUSE UNDER THE HOOD I WILL NOT REPLACE THE SENSORS AT THAT COST.
NHTSA complaint #10135002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBella Vista, AR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING...HAS HAD AN ERRATIC READING FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS..READING AT 3/4 FULL WHEN THE TANK HAS LESS THAN FIVE GAL. LEFT.
NHTSA complaint #10132760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Webster, MA
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10040409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,203 milesBillerica, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I AM WRITING ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN 1998 GMC SIERA EXT. CAB P/U. THE ISSUE AT HAND IS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE ABS SYSTEM WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, IT HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS. I SPOKE TO MY MECHANIC TODAY SAID IT WOULD COST WELL OVER $600.00 TO CORRECT ISSUE, AND HE HAS RAN ACROSS THIS ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS GMC PICK UPS. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS TWICE ON THE FRONT BRAKES, I HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE THE WAY I AM SUPPOSED TO MAINTIAN IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IF THIS ABS PROBLEM.AS I WAS BACKING UP I APLIED BRAKES, AND THE ABS DEPLOYED. I'M JUST GLAD IT WASN'T A CHILD THAT WAS BEHIND ME. IT SEEMS THAT GMC HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BRAKING SYSTEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10037566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,203 milesBillerica, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
I AM WRITING ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN 1998 GMC SIERA EXT. CAB P/U. THE ISSUE AT HAND IS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE ABS SYSTEM WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, IT HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS. I SPOKE TO MY MECHANIC TODAY SAID IT WOULD COST WELL OVER $600.00 TO CORRECT ISSUE, AND HE HAS RAN ACROSS THIS ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS GMC PICK UPS. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS TWICE ON THE FRONT BRAKES, I HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE THE WAY I AM SUPPOSED TO MAINTIAN IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IF THIS ABS PROBLEM.AS I WAS BACKING UP I APLIED BRAKES, AND THE ABS DEPLOYED. I'M JUST GLAD IT WASN'T A CHILD THAT WAS BEHIND ME. IT SEEMS THAT GMC HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BRAKING SYSTEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10037566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesVacherie, LA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS SOMETIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL QUIT WITHOUT WARNING. WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY OR MAY NOT COME BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #10032310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perham, MN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1998 GMC PICKUP WORK INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES THEY WON'T TURN ON, OTHER TIMES THEY STOP WHILE IN USE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.