1998 GMC Sierra Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 17%of 190 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 GMC Sierra, 17% of the 190 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Windshield wipers stopped and then may start at a later time. The last incident was when it stopped august 20, 2004 in a driving rain storm and we had to pull over but it soon restarted. Later the same day it stopped again and did not restart placing us in a dangerous situation. This morning it is working again.”
NHTSA complaint #10088388, filed 2004-08, 145,155 miles“While driving in a rainstorm, the windshield wiper motor failed without warning. A recall was issued, however the vehicle is outside of the remedy scope. Please provide additional information. Consumer had to pull over and wait until the heavy rain stopped. Now at a later date, the wipers worked.”
NHTSA complaint #10048372, filed 2004-01, 120,000 miles“Dt: the windshield wipers are no longer working properly. The windshield wipers will work sometimes. The problem first started in 2-2004. The consumer statesdthat once he smelled a burning smell coming from the vehicle. When the consumer took vehicle to a dealership they told him that there was recall 02054 on the 1997 models for the same issue. The problem has not been repaired as of yet. There have been no accidents at this time.”
NHTSA complaint #10135473, filed 2005-09, 52,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 4 | 7% |
| 2016 | 1 | 17% |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 7% |
| 2010 | 3 | 9% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 6 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% |
| 2000 | 13 | 3% |
| 1999 | 18 | 3% |
| 1998 | 32 | 17% |
| 1997 | 24 | 10% |
| 1996 | 84 | 34% |
| 1995 | 140 | 54% |
| 1994 | 115 | 61% |
| 1993 | 23 | 32% |
| 1992 | 8 | 27% |
| 1991 | 1 | 8% |
| 1990 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 GMC Sierra
62 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 GMC Sierra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology