1998 GMC Sierra Problems

What owners report

Complaints for this model year center on the anti-lock brake system, where owners describe the ABS engaging at low speeds on dry pavement and lengthening stopping distances; many note the same wheel speed sensor problem was addressed by recalls on later similar trucks but not this year. Intermittent windshield wipers that quit during rain are the other frequently reported pattern, and some owners also describe hard or slipping transmission shifts and loose or jerking steering. Reports are spread fairly evenly from low mileage up through 100,000+ miles, which fits a truck of this age rather than one specific early-life defect.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS activates at low speed; wheel speed sensor faults

   • 29 complaints (15%)
   • median 67,500 mi at 7.0 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2014

   Owners describe the antilock brakes kicking in during normal low-speed stops on dry pavement, making the truck hard to stop and sometimes producing a low or soft pedal. Several say the dealer replaced front wheel hub/speed sensor assemblies, sometimes more than once, and some were told the sensors were corroded or dirty. A number of complaints note that similar 1999-2002 trucks were recalled for this but say this year was not included; others report dealers could not reproduce the problem or declined repairs. Mostly reported between about 42,000 and 90,000 miles, with a few at very low or very high mileage.

   What to check: Test the brakes at low speed on dry pavement and ask whether the front hub/speed sensor assemblies have been replaced. Scan or ask for any stored ABS codes and for records of sensor or hub repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs braking system not engaging. Hub damage. Continuous need for new brakes. Finally an accident in nov 2002.after 7 months the repairs complete but I had to pay for new hubs even though this is a brake issue.after research I find that the hubs may be made improperly. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10023404, filed 2003-06, 106,407 miles

   “Both front brake ABS sensors on my 1998 Gmc Sierra 4 wheel drive half ton pickup truck failed during a 90 day period in 2005. This caused the ABS to activate at low speed stops nearly resulting in accidents and requiring the replacement of both front wheel bearing/ABS sensor assemblies at the cost of about $800. This vehicle was purchased new in august 1998 and has about 65,000 miles of use. The local GM rep and Gmc's customer relations tells me that there is nothing GM will do about it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10150143, filed 2006-02, 65,000 miles
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop intermittently in rain

   • 25 complaints (13%)
   • median 96,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2000–2006

   Owners report the wipers quitting without warning, often after running for a while and in heavy rain, then sometimes working again later. Some say wiggling or tapping the motor housing or harness restarts them, and a few mention a buzzing noise or a burning smell. Wipers have been replaced or motors changed with the problem returning, and some owners note the year was not covered by a wiper recall that applied to other model years. Reported from roughly 50,000 miles up to 145,000 miles; several describe the problem appearing after a year or more of intermittent symptoms.

   What to check: Run the wipers at all speeds and in a wet test, and ask whether the wiper motor, pulse module, or harness has been replaced; check for a wiper-related recall or campaign applying to this year.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Intermittently the windshield wipers become inoperable. If I tap on the windshield motor case they may work for a while. I can hear the motor run when they are not working.”

   NHTSA complaint #10163185, filed 2006-07, 127,000 miles

   “Intermittantly the windshield wipers become inoperable. Usually after they run a while and usually stop at the worst time right in the middle of a heavy downpour. When I open the hood I can hear a soft buzzing noise. When I wiggle the cable harness assembly that goes to the motor the wipers will start again. But then when I shut the hood the vibration sometimes causes the wipers to stop. This had been going on since last year, 2004. This is the exact same problem I have read about in similar complaints and the NHTSA campaign id 03v15900.”

   NHTSA complaint #10110301, filed 2005-02, 112,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Corroded brake lines and calipers

   • 23 complaints (12%)
   • median 88,500 mi at 11.7 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2014

   Some owners report brake lines and caliper assemblies found corroded, with fluid seepage visible underneath the truck and a pedal that felt softer than expected. Others describe sudden loss of braking and repairs covering lines, calipers, pads, and in one case a booster and master cylinder. One shop is said to have called the corrosion a common occurrence on these trucks. Reported from around 86,000 to 91,000 miles, on older trucks in particular.

   What to check: Have the brake lines inspected along their full length for rust and seepage, especially above the rear axle and along the frame, and check pedal feel and fluid level.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Front brakes heated up, melted wheel weights off and burned ABS wires. Truck would not stop. Was there a recall on brakes on this truck. Please let me know and is there anything we could do to keep this from happening again. Thanks”

   NHTSA complaint #715343, filed 1999-11

   “Catastrophic brake failure on state highway. No accident or injuries, but repairs included brake lines, calipers and pads due to corrosion of said lines and caliper assemblies. Shop said this is a common occurrence for GM products regardless of age of the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10510579, filed 2013-05, 86,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission hard shifting, slipping or fluid loss

   • 10 complaints (5%)
   • median 79,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2013

   Complaints describe hard or clanking shifts, slipping between low gears when warm, and in some cases loss of reverse or first gear. One owner reports transmission fluid pushed out through the vents after the unit ran hot and shifted out of overdrive. Others describe full transmission replacement, with one told a shaft housing inside the unit had failed. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 97,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive from a cold start and through the low gears, checking for delayed or harsh shifts, and check fluid condition and level. Ask whether the transmission or transfer case has been serviced or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1998 Gmc Sierra 1500 ext. Cab truck. Purchased used on 6/03/08. Odometer read 96,921miles. Less than 24 hours after purchase I noticed what felt like a slipping in the transmission going from 1st to 2nd, and 2nd to 3rd, under 15 MPH when the engine was warm. I mentioned this to the dealer, who had agreed to reimburse me for partial costs to have all the fluids flushed and filled with clean fluid at the recommendation of my regular shop, where I had taken the truck for inspection 12 hours after purchase. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10231962, filed 2008-06, 96,971 miles

   “Don't have my VIN handy at the moment b/c my truck is in the shop having $1400 of transmission work done on it. It's a 1998 Gmc Sierra 2wd, and the transmission went out 8/21/03. The tranny had 84,000 miles before comlete failure. The truck was driven by an exceptionally gentle driver, never used for towing (even though it came with a towing "package") and never abused in any way. Yesterday, it wouldn't reverse or go into 1st gear. Two weeks prior it began shifting hard, emitting a loud "clank" sound...we knew the end was near!”

   NHTSA complaint #10069281, filed 2004-01, 84,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Loose steering or steering wheel jerk and catch

   • 6 complaints (3%)
   • median 95,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2006

   Owners describe the steering wheel jerking to one side while turning and decelerating, or intermittent resistance that feels like something catching and then releasing. Some say several shops could not identify the cause, and one complaint describes a tie rod end coming loose and causing loss of steering. A service bulletin covers reduced steering effort and diagnosis of the steering wheel position sensor. Reported from about 52,000 to 130,000 miles, with some at unknown mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check for play in the tie rods and steering linkage, and drive at highway speed and in slow turns listening and feeling for jerks or catch points. Ask whether the steering wheel position sensor has been diagnosed or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Complaint received via e-mail. My pickup has occasional resistance when moving the steering wheel while driving. It feels like something is catching and then letting go. The steering wheel jerks a little when this happens. It's more annoying that anything. The truck has 130,000 miles on it. I bought it with 44,000 miles. The truck has been into three different shops without the problem corrected.”

   NHTSA complaint #10107320, filed 2005-02, 130,000 miles

   “Gmc 1998 Sierra p/u- steering suddenly becomes loose and steering wheel jerks to the right while decelerating and turning right. Problem also occurs when making left turns although not a drastic. There are several complaints, however no solutions from Gmc or dealership. I have had many close calls while highway driving when the steering suddenly jerks to the right. Gm dealer has no clue as to what the problem is.”

   NHTSA complaint #10149521, filed 2006-02, 95,000 miles

Buying note. These are older trucks, so condition matters more than the model year: have the brake system, including lines and ABS sensors, and the wiper circuit inspected before purchase, and confirm transmission and steering service history. Parts are widely available, and complaints here largely reflect wear and known repair points rather than something unique to this year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.