1998 GMC Yukon Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brakes and windshield wipers that misbehave intermittently: the anti-lock system activating at low speed or a soft pedal, and wipers stopping in rain or snow, sometimes repeatedly. Many complaints note the vehicle is outside the build range of a related campaign covering later trucks, and most reports arrive well past 60,000 miles on a vehicle that is by now quite old.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS activates at low speed or pedal fades

   Mentioned in 15 of 59 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the anti-lock brakes engaging during slow stops, a pedal that travels near the floor, and longer stopping distances, sometimes with the ABS light staying off. Owners report repeated dealer visits where the system was called normal, and some say rust or corrosion under the wheel speed sensors was cleaned to address it. Several mention campaigns covering later trucks with what they understood to be similar symptoms, but say their vehicle was not included. Reported from roughly 43,000 to 168,000 miles, across all model years of use and in everyday driving.

   Recall 98V033000

   What to check: Ask for brake service records and have the ABS checked on a slow-stop test drive; inspect front rotors and the condition of the brake lines and wheel speed sensors.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1998 Gmc Yukon and for the past 3 years I've been dealing with the GM antilock brake problem outlined in the 1999 thru 2002 recall. There have been many close calls over the last 3 years and when the antilock brakes kick in for no apparent reason at low speeds it is both very un-nerving and scary. Is there any chance of the recall also covering 1998 year vehicles?”

   NHTSA complaint #10170226, filed 2006-10, 75,000 miles

   “This vehicle has historically been bad for wear on discs and pads. I had just replaced the discs and pads once again, and was in an accident. I really think the problem was with the ABS system and not the disc or pads.”

   NHTSA complaint #10190375, filed 2007-05, 168,000 miles
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop in rain or snow

   • 16 complaints (20%)
   • median 96,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2007

   Owners describe wipers that quit without warning during rain, wet snow or highway driving, sometimes restarting after a pause or after the motor cools. Several reports say the wiper motor or its wiring was the area of concern and that hitting or jiggling the assembly got them moving again. Many complaints state the vehicle was not covered by a wiper campaign that applied to other model years, and dealers are described as unable to resolve it. Typically reported between about 63,000 and 173,000 miles, and usually when driving in wet weather.

   What to check: Run the wipers at every speed, including intermittent, and watch for slow or stalling movement; ask whether the wiper motor or pulse board has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On several occasions my 1998 Gmc Yukon windshield wipers stopped working. The first time I was on the interstate towing a 23 ft. Boat! I know GM has recalled many vehicles for this problem but they did not include 1998 models! Please make them fix the whole problem before a lot of people die! I almost took out three vehicles before I could get over on the shoulder! I've fixed my Yukon already because it was to dangerous to drive but GM is still dropping the ball!”

   NHTSA complaint #10017005, filed 2003-05, 63,000 miles

   “For the past year, my wipers have been stopping intermittently. Especially when it is raining, they do not start. I try when the weather is dryer, and they seem to work at that time, however, still intermittenly.”

   NHTSA complaint #10121819, filed 2005-05, 105,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering wander, pull, or loose feel

   Mentioned in 11 of 59 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a steering wheel with excess play, a pull to one side on curves, or a feel of the front wheels slipping briefly during turns. Some report the steering effort swinging between very stiff and very light at speed. Owners mention steering pump and steering box replacements that did not settle the problem, and several note their vehicle was not covered by a steering campaign that applied to other trucks. Mostly reported from about 75,000 to 151,000 miles, often noticed on the highway or in curves.

   Recall 97V142000

   What to check: Check for play in the steering with the wheels straight ahead, listen for noise when turning, and ask whether the lower steering shaft pinch bolt and steering gear have been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power steering pump lost power , luckily, at low speed and close to home. The pulley shaft broke off at the impeller. I replaced the pump, with a reman from autozone. The new pump lasted about 25 miles before it's shaft broke. I'm installing a replacement reman this evening.”

   NHTSA complaint #10535403, filed 2013-08, 160,000 miles

   “Mine problem is similar to this one (odi id: 741897 ) that I found posted on your web site. My mechanic said he wasn't sure what the problem is but we could start by replacing the steering box and going from there. Have spoken with 2 other Yukon owners and they said they've had the same problem but that Gmc basically felt they were feeling something that didn't exist.”

   NHTSA complaint #762781, filed 2002-06
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Stalling, no-start, and fuel pump repeats

   Mentioned in 5 of 59 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe an engine that cuts out or refuses to restart intermittently, sometimes resolved briefly by disconnecting the battery, and fuel pumps replaced several times with no clear cause found. One report describes fuel leaking from the top of the tank after filling, along with a fuel gauge that swings. Another describes an engine-bay fire with a strong fuel odor noted afterward. Spread widely, from low mileage up to about 200,000 miles, with some repeat pump replacements within weeks.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask how many fuel pumps have been replaced and check for a fuel smell around the tank and lines; confirm the gauge reads steadily through a fill-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife was driving down the highway and the truck just lost all power and cut off. She managed to make it to the side of the road and put it in park. It didn't start right away but I a couple of minutes it started back up and we made it home. It has subsequently done this several times now.”

   NHTSA complaint #10626205, filed 2014-08

   “Fuel tank leaks from top of tank after fill-up, all fittings appear to be ok. This only occurs after topping off, but loses about 1 gallon from top mid-section of tank. Also fuel gauge has been acting up since this started going from full to empty while driving.”

   NHTSA complaint #741524, filed 2001-02
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission and transfer case failure

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 98,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2005

   Owners report losing second gear or reverse, or complete transmission failure with no warning, in trucks described as never used off road or for towing. Some complaints link a grinding noise near the transmission to a transfer case that a dealer wanted to replace, and others mention 4WD that stopped working. Coverage questions come up repeatedly, with repairs falling outside warranty. Most reports fall near 98,000 to 150,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test reverse and every gear from cold, listen for whine or grind, and confirm 4WD engages; ask for transmission and transfer case service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: the contact stated about three -four weeks ago the ABS kicked in at low speeds, and he has no stopping power. The dealer told the contact the bearing hubs needed to be replaced. About two weeks ago he noticed a grinding noise coming from the transmission area. The dealer told him the transfer case needed to be removed and likely replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10142044, filed 2005-11, 43,400 miles

   “Complete transmission failure with out notice. Purchased extened service plan, 2,700 past warrenty and will not honor. Only 98000 miles. Yukon was never used off road or to haul anything heavy.”

   NHTSA complaint #10050687, filed 2003-12, 98,027 miles

Buying note. These are old trucks, so condition and records matter more than the model year itself. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the brakes, steering play, wiper operation and transmission, and ask for receipts showing what has already been repaired.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 59 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.