Skip to content
GMC SavanaModel year report

1998 GMC Savana Problems

Complaints
33filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
63,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 13 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 GMC Savana (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1998 GMC Savana. The part named most often is brakes, with 9 complaints (27% of the total), followed by air bags (6) and tires (5). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 63,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 40 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the rotor and 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10150898, filed 2006-02, 53,000 miles

Air bags: “Water gets under the carpet where airbag sensor is located, causing the light to illuminate while the vehicle is in motion. The dealer has been notified.”

NHTSA complaint #884855, filed 2001-04

Tires: “Vehicle came equipped with standard tires which hold about 2300 pounds instead of exload tires which hold 7200 pounds. This was causing a loss of control and premature wear of the tires. Also, label on the driver's door was incorrect. Because of this error , it took 13 months before they discovered what was causing the problem, and went through 9 alignments and several tires.”

NHTSA complaint #838142, filed 1999-05

Electrical system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10133505, filed 2005-08, 105,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 53,000 and 105,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5067%50–750%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 63,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

1999200110200320052022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1998 GMC Savana version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131815$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131815$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)5.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131614$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121714$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1998 GMC Savana → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 40 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 40 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Savana

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019564,0005———Not enough data
2017724,0006—13—Not enough data
2016637,1007—13—Not enough data
2007664,2073—14—Not enough data
2006771,0007—15—Not enough data
20051337,0006—15—Not enough data
20041245,9257—15—Not enough data
20032224,75011—15—Stable
20021217,5000—15—Not enough data
20011952,0000—14—Rising
20004953,7002—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19994962,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983363,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19974669,7071—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19963566,1752—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All GMC Savana model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 GMC Savana have?

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1998 GMC Savana as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 GMC Savana is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 9 complaints (27% of the total), followed by air bags with 6.

Has the 1998 GMC Savana been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1998 GMC Savana get?

The EPA rates the 1998 GMC Savana (Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 GMC Savana reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 63,000 miles and the middle half falls between 53,000 and 105,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.