19 of the
68 complaints about the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 are about the
braking system — 28% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
78,000 miles.
APPLIED BREAK TO START TRUCK. FOOT WENT TO FLOOR, VERY WEAK PEDAL. CHECKED BRAKE FLUID LEVEL, FOUND FRONT RESERVOIR EMPTY. TRACED BRAKE LINES FOR LEAKS. FOUND PORTION OF REAR HARD BRAKE LINE BETWEEN GAS TANK AND REAR AXLE RUSTED THROUGH AT BEND WHERE BRAKE LINE LEAVES FRAME RAIL AND HEADS TO CONNECT TO FLEXIBLE LINE AT REAR DIFFERENTIAL. ENTIRE AREA AROUND LEAK, BOTTOM OF BED, FRAME RAIL, SHOCK, SPRING, ETC. DRIPPING WITH BRAKE FLUID. REPLACED A PREVIOUS SECTION OF REAR BRAKE LINEAROUND 125K MILES PRIOR TO FINDING OUT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GMC / CHEVY TRUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10482833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesNEW Hartford, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS APPROACHING A BUSY INTERSECTION AT A NORMAL SPEED. WHEN I USED THE BRAKE IT INSTANTLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES! I WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION INTO AN EMPTY LOT. THANK GOD NO ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE LINE ROTTED BECAUSE GM ROUTED CHEAP STEEL LINES IN AREAS WHERE SAND, SALT AND WATER COLLECT. GMC REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR AND IT COST ME 500.00.
NHTSA complaint #10332698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesPortland, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC DETAILS: THE ABS PULSATES AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY AT 10 MPH OR SLOWER. I'VE ALMOST HIT SEVERAL VEHICLES BECAUSE MY '98 GMC SIERRA WOULDN'T STOP. I SEE WHERE THEY HAD A RECALL ON 99 AND NEWER TRUCKS, BUT THEY NEED TO GO BACK FURTHER. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME I GO TO SLOW DOWN. GMC REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM PRIOR TO 1999.
NHTSA complaint #10280558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE ABS PULSATES AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY AT 10 MPH OR SLOWER. I'VE ALMOST HIT SEVERAL VEHICLES BECAUSE MY '98 GMC SIERRA WOULDN'T STOP. I SEE WHERE THEY HAD A RECALL ON 99 AND NEWER TRUCKS, BUT THEY NEED TO GO BACK FURTHER. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME I GO TO SLOW DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10264009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,000 milesWellsburg, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP BETWEEN 1-5 MPH, THE BRAKES VIBRATED, MADE A HISSING SOUND, AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A FAILURE WITH THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GMC ON MARCH 10, 2008 AND WAS ISSUED CONFIRMATION NUMBER 71-1609860847. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
NHTSA complaint #10220880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,625 milesDecatur, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE REAR BRAKES SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND BALANCED, THE BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED, AND THE BRAKE SHOES AND REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE SHOES MOVE ABOUT AND THERE WAS NO WAY THEY COULD BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED AND HAVE BEEN SINCE APRIL OF 2006. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,625. UPDATED 3/5/08 *CN UPDATED 03/05/08
NHTSA complaint #10211364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesEmpire, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SLOW SPEED ACTIVATION . HAVE REPLACED SENSORS TWICE .
NHTSA complaint #10202274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesGlenburn, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES KICKED IN AND OUT. INSTEAD OF STOPPING IT WILL JUST SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.*AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. UPDATED 01/25/06.
NHTSA complaint #10146601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesEndicott, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS ACTIVATED AT LOW SPEEDS. HE BELIEVED IT IS DUE TO CORROSION ON THE ABS SENSORS. THE PROBLEM RECURRED MORE OFTEN. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10142058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesCinncinati, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING BELOW 10 MILES PER HOUR MY VEHICLE ABS BREAKS ARE VIBRATING . SO YOU HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND THEN YOU GET A SOFT BREAK PEDAL AND YOU NEED TO KEEP PUMPING THE BREAK PEDAL TO STOP THE VIBRATION.
NHTSA complaint #10121089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesKindy, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES HE FELT A PULSATION. *JB THE PROBLEM OCCURRED NOT MATTER THE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10119634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES SEEM TO ENGAGE FOR NO REASON ON DRY PAVEMENT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU HAVE THE FEELING THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP. THIS STARTED AFTER IS WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THE DEALER HAS NOT LOOKED AT THIS PROBLEM. MY SON IS A GMC CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND WE HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM AND BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE IT'S CAUSE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF TRUCK, HOWEVER I CAN FIND NO DETAILED REPORTS ON THIS. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHETHER YOU ARE AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE BRAKING SYSTEMS ON THE GMC AND IT'S SISTER VEHICLE THE CHEVY. THANKS, STEVE VARLEY.
NHTSA complaint #765191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynnwood, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP OR REDUCE SPEED, INSTEAD, IT RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, FRONT BRAKES PREMATURELY WORE OUT, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 18000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #860190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynnwood, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP OR REDUCE SPEED, INSTEAD, IT RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, FRONT BRAKES PREMATURELY WORE OUT, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 18000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #860190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
E. Stroudsburg, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #718500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hurst, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WHERE THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED QUICK AND HARD IN TRAFFIC OR ON TURNS WHERE THE ROAD IS SOMEWHAT SLIGHTLY BUMPY OR ROUGH AND THE BRAKES WILL CHATTER AND BUZZ, THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT STOP. ON THE APRIL 1999 INCIDENT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED IN A TURN LANE TO ENTER A FREEWAY AND I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES QUICK AND HARD. WELL THEY AGAIN RATTLED AND BUZZED, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRUCK DID NOT STOP. I IN TURN BUMPED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. MY TRUCK INSTEAD SUFFERED TO AN OVERINFLATED BODY SHOP BILL TO THE TUNE OF #3,000.00. THE SELLING DEALER DID THE BODY REPAIRS AND CHECKED THE BRAKES. MR. RON BYARS SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THE BRAKES, AFTER WE BOTH TEST DROVE THE TRUCK AND DUPLICATED THE NO STOP CONDITION ON HARD BRAKE APPLICATION AT SLOW SPEEDS, THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION WITH ABS BRAKES ON THESE PICK UPS. MR. BYARS ALSO SAID HIS DEMO WAS WORSE THAN MY TRUCK. HE ALSO STATED THERE WAS A CHECK OUT DONE WHERE HE FOUND NO CODES OR PROBLEMS. I HAD ALSO EXPLAINED TO MR. BYARS THAT ON MOST OCCASIONS WHERE I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD DRAG. TO RELEASE THEM I HAD TO STOP, BACK UP HITTING THE BRAKES AND THEY WOULD RELEASE. THIS CONDITION HAS DAMAGED MY BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. HE IS TELLING ME GM CAN DO NOTHING TO FIX MY TRUCK. WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, SOMEONE KILLED OR BADLY INJURED BEFORE GM OPENS THEIR EYES. I NEED HELP.
NHTSA complaint #711889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tullahoma, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WITNESSED CARL BLACK DEALERSHIP COVER-UP SAFETY PROBLEMS TOO MYSELF AND MANY CUSTOMERS IN MY MANY HOURS IN THIER DEALERSHIP (THEY ROUTINELY CALL SAFETY PROBLEMS AS "NORMAL "TO THEIR CUSTOMERS THIS INCLUDES PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES AND STEERING. THEIR CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT THEIR PROBLEMS WHERE NOT "NORMAL"
NHTSA complaint #707988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rensen, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN EMERGENCY STOPPING IT APPEARS AS IF THE PRESSURE APPLIED IS INSUFFICIENT AND THE PEDAL NEARLY GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #836393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flowery Branch, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE HAS ABS BRAKES. WHILE PULLING VEHICLE INTO GARAGE WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. CAUSE OF PROBLEM UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #823707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.