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1998 GMC Sierra 1500 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “ABS activating at low speed with extended stopping.” GMC trucks and SUVs use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — the same algorithm as Chevrolet. Because GMC's lineup is exclusively trucks and SUVs, severe-service intervals apply to most owners (towing, hauling, off-roading). The schedule below surfaces the items most relevant to GMC's truck-focused buyer.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500.

Reported to NHTSA

ABS activating at low speed with extended stopping

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

32 NHTSA complaints · 2001-01 → 2014-06

“ANTI- LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN NOT NEEDED MAKING STOPPING DIFFICULT. THIS OCCURS DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE WHEEL HUB SPEED SENSORS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10141211
“THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE PREMATURELY ON DRY PAVEMENT WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM 10 MPH-ZERO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10136783
“I HAVE EXPERIENCED ONGOING ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSOR ISSUES SINCE LAST SPRING. THEY ENGAGE AT LOW SPEED AND MAKE IT HARD TO STOP IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR THE FAILURE AT LOW SPEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10150152

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield wipers failing intermittently

VISIBILITY

39 NHTSA complaints · 2001-01 → 2012-04

“FAULTY WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL BOARD. SOLDER JOINTS PN CONTROL BOARD WILL CRACK CAUSING WIPERS TO FAIL AT RANDOM TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10156984
“WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AND THEN MAY START AT A LATER TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10088388
“WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY, OBVIOUSLY I ONLY ATTEMPT TO USE MY WIPERS WHEN IT IS RAINING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10020706

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loose or jerking steering

STEERING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2001-02 → 2020-02

“STEERING BECOMES LOOSE WHEN DRIVING INTO CURVES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10065684
“EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. WOULD NOTE THE STEERING AS BEING VERY LOOSE OR SOFT, EVEN NONE RESPONSIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #758002
“WHILE DRIVING AT ALMOST ANY SPEED THE STEERING SEEMS TO "SLIP" ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING LEFT, HOWEVER THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10176757

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission failure and loss of gears

POWER TRAIN

10 NHTSA complaints · 2001-04 → 2008-12

“MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED 3 TIMES, EACH TIME LOSING REVERSE, 2ND AND 4TH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10005831
“TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH, AND THEN VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, AND COULD NOT SHIFT GEARS ANYMORE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #894696
“WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A STOP LIGHT I HEARD AND FELT A METALLIC BANG. THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED INTO 1ST GEAR AND WOULDN'T SHIFT UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10251788

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire tread separation and blowouts

TIRES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2000-10 → 2002-08

“WHILE DRIVING RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND BLEWOUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8017470
“AT 65MPH VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A THUMPING SOUND. WHEN CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND STARTED FEELING AROUND TIRE TREAD WAS SEPARATING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #890297
“DURING THE 29 MONTHS I HAVE OWNED MY GMC I HAVE HAD 4 FLATS AND 2 BLOWOUTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #735181

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal to floor with loss of braking

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

9 NHTSA complaints · 2001-02 → 2014-07

“BRAKES FAILED, AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8003275
“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND APPLIED BRAKES, AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #880273
“I WAS APPROACHING A BUSY INTERSECTION AT A NORMAL SPEED. WHEN I USED THE BRAKE IT INSTANTLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10332698

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in a crash

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2002-03 → 2016-11

“WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A MEDIAN WALL, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8006425
“I NOSED DIVED INTO A DITCH AND SLIDE ON DRIVERS SIDE FOR ABOUT 1500FT BEFORE HITTING BANK AND BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #759589
“VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A MOUND OF DIRT AND FLIPPED OVER 3.5 TIMES. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8015788

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle fire near power mirror switch or door wiring

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2001-08 → 2002-07

“CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE AND WENT TO WORK, CAME OUT AND VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE FIRE PUT ITSELF OUT, THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA OF THE POWER MIRROR SWITCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #6900443
“VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE WIRING OF THE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #6900444
“THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKEDT AND SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY FOR FOUR HOURS WHEN THE CUSTOMER NOTICED FLAMES AND SMOKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #562586

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when OLS reaches 0% or every 12 months. dexos1-approved synthetic required on Sierra 1500 5.3L/6.2L; dexos2 specified on Duramax diesel.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Sierra and Yukon owners running 4x4 should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Towing accelerates pad wear by 30-50%; check more often if towing regularly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

DOT 3 brake fluid: test annually, replace when moisture exceeds 3% or fluid is darker than copper.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

Long-life cellulose filter rated 45,000 miles. Trucks driven on unpaved roads or construction sites should inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (towing 5,000+ lbs regularly, heavy stop-and-go): every 45,000 miles. Normal: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI for 6L80/6L90, Mobil 1 LV ATF HP for 10L80/10L1000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace every 45,000 miles. Use GM Auto-Trak II for active 4WD; GM 9986115 for selectable 4WD.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Differential Fluid (front + rear)

Every 50,000 mi

Replace front and rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. G80 limited-slip rear axles require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on the L83/L84 5.3L and L86/L87 6.2L V8 are rated 100,000 miles. AFM/DFM cylinder deactivation can cause uneven plug wear — check at 75,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000. Duramax diesel uses ELC (red) — different chemistry, do not mix.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Sierra HD and Yukon XL owners in dusty work environments should replace at 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

422 crashes 1990–2024

How the 422 occupant deaths break down

333

driver deaths

88

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

422

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1998 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

27

complaints mentioning a crash

12

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 reflects GMC's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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