Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1998 GMC Yukon: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 GMC Yukon, most recently filed February 1998. Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 GMC Yukon. 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 ↗
Listed for 1998 GMC Yukon. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 98V033000 Filed Feb 17, 1998

GM/BRAKE ROTORS/HUBS

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · disc · rotor
Official NHTSA text
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.
Repair progress not yet reported1,137 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V033000
Listed for 1998 GMC Yukon. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 97V142000 Filed Aug 29, 1997

GM/STEERING

Steering · gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY EXTENDED-CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 4-DOOR UTILITY TRUCKS. THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT TO STEERING GEAR PINCH BOLT IS "FINGER LOOSE" OR MISSING ALLOWING THE BOLT TO LOOSEN AND FALL OUT. THE STEERING SHAFT YOKE CAN WEAR CAUSING AN OFF CENTER STEERING WHEEL.
Consequence
RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND CAB CAN CAUSE THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS ARE ARRANGING TO HAVE THE VEHICLES INVOLVED TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION IS BEING ARRANGED FOR OWNERS. DEALERS WILL THEN INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PINCH BOLT AND TORQUE THIS BOLT TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.
Repair progress not yet reported3,957 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V142000

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 (80)

80 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.

5involved a crash
1involved a fire
4injuries reported
3deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 GMC Yukon, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 80.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1998 compares with other Yukon years

Best and worst Yukon years →
1994199519961997199819992000200120022003
This year (1998)Other yearsStill collecting reports

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 15 mpg combined

15
mpg combined
13
city
17
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$6,400
CO₂ tailpipe
679 g/mi
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$4,354per year
$363per month
1,000gallons a year

Miles ÷ 15 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

1998 GMC Yukon configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
6.5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15$6,400679
5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14$4,800635
5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive12 / 16 / 14$4,800635
5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive12 / 15 / 13$5,150684

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1998 Yukon 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.

All Yukon years

Where to next

1998 GMC Yukon FAQ

How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Yukon have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 98V033000 (brake), 97V142000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1998 GMC Yukon problems?

Owners filed 80 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (21), Visibility (16), Steering (11) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1998 GMC Yukon get?

EPA rates the 6.5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 13 city, 17 highway and 15 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1998 Yukon compare with other years?

Among the 1994–2003 GMC Yukon model years at least five years old, the 1994 drew the fewest complaints (58) and the 2003 the most (276). The 1998 drew 80. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
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