Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/FUEL TANK
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FRONT, INNER CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK CAN CONTACT THE BODY SILL EITHER INTERMITTENTLY OR CONSTANTLY. THIS MOVEMENT CAN CAUSE A DISCERNIBLE NOISE AND, OVER TIME, CAN WEAR A HOLE IN OR CRACK THE FUEL TANK AT POINT OF CONTACT.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND A DISTINCT FUEL ODOR IF THE TANK WERE FILLED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE HOLE OR CRACK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK FOR WEAR AND, EITHER INSTALL A SPACER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER, OR IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.
GM/BRAKE ROTORS/HUBS
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OR BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTOR/HUBS WERE BUILT WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION GRAY IRON THAT CAN FAIL DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
- Consequence
- IF A DRIVER CONTINUES TO DRIVE WITH A CRACKED ROTOR, THE CRACKS COULD CONTINUE AROUND THE WHEEL MOUNTING BOLT CIRCLE AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (59)
59 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 59 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 18 | 30.5% |
| Visibility | 11 | 18.6% |
| Power train | 7 | 11.9% |
| Steering | 6 | 10.2% |
| Air bags | 4 | 6.8% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 6.8% |
| Structure | 4 | 6.8% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 5.1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 5.1% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 1.7% |
How 1998 compares with other Sierra 1500 years
Best and worst Sierra 1500 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 13 | 0 |
| 1995 | 3 | 0 |
| 1996 | 5 | 0 |
| 1997 | 83 | 3 |
| 1998 | 59 | 2 |
| 1999 | 158 | 1 |
| 2000 | 181 | 1 |
| 2001 | 140 | 2 |
| 2002 | 166 | 1 |
| 2003 | 180 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 494 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Pickup Trucks
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 6.5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | $6,400 | 679 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 18 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 13 | $5,150 | 684 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 / 16 / 13 | $5,150 | 684 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1998 Sierra 1500 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1998 GMC Sierra 1500 FAQ
How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 98V187000 (fuel system), 98V033000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?
Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (18), Visibility (11), Power train (7) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 get?
EPA rates the 4.3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 16 city, 21 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1998 Sierra 1500 compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2003 GMC Sierra 1500 model years at least five years old, the 1995 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2000 the most (181). The 1998 drew 59. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.