1998 GMC Sierra

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Brakes

Brakes leads by volume: 80 of 249 complaints (32%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (9) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 321 in 1997 to 249 in 1998.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 1998: 7 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category19961997199819992000vs. 1998 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Annual fuel cost ($)3,450–5,9503,450–5,9503,450–5,9503,650–5,2003,450–5,200
Combined MPG13–1813–1813–1812–1712–18
City / Highway MPG11–16 / 16–2111–15 / 16–2111–16 / 16–2111–15 / 15–2111–15 / 15–21
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)494–684494–684494–684523–741494–741
Complaints filed251321249758624Not compared
Recalls issued2541315Not compared
Crash-involved complaints206226054Not compared
Fire-involved complaints451023Not compared
Injuries reported154143527Not compared
Deaths reported00012Not compared
Configurations compared19181197

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Sierra have?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1998 GMC Sierra?

Brakes: 80 of 249 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1998 GMC Sierra get?

EPA rates it 13–18 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 GMC Sierra?

EPA estimates $3,450–$5,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (18)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd64.3LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD14 mpg19 mpg16 mpg$3,900555 g/mi
Configuration 2Manual 5-spd64.3LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD16 mpg (high)21 mpg (high)18 mpg (high)$3,450 (low)494 g/mi (low)
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd85.0LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD14 mpg18 mpg15 mpg$4,150592 g/mi
Configuration 4Manual 5-spd85.0LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD13 mpg18 mpg15 mpg$4,150592 g/mi
Configuration 5Automatic 4-spd85.7LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD13 mpg17 mpg14 mpg$4,450635 g/mi
Configuration 6Manual 5-spd85.7LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD12 mpg18 mpg14 mpg$4,450635 g/mi
Configuration 7Automatic 4-spd85.0LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD14 mpg18 mpg15 mpg$4,150592 g/mi
Configuration 8Manual 5-spd85.0LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD13 mpg17 mpg15 mpg$4,150592 g/mi
Configuration 9Automatic 4-spd85.7LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD13 mpg17 mpg14 mpg$4,450635 g/mi
Configuration 10Manual 5-spd85.7LRear-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD12 mpg18 mpg14 mpg$4,450635 g/mi
Configuration 11Automatic 4-spd86.5LRear-Wheel DriveDieselStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD13 mpg17 mpg15 mpg$5,950 (high)679 g/mi
Configuration 16Automatic 4-spd85.7L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 4WD12 mpg16 mpg (low)13 mpg (low)$4,800684 g/mi (high)
Configuration 17Manual 5-spd85.7L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 4WD11 mpg (low)16 mpg (low)13 mpg (low)$4,800684 g/mi (high)
Configuration 18Automatic 4-spd86.5L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveDieselStandard Pickup Trucks 4WD13 mpg17 mpg15 mpg$5,950 (high)679 g/mi
Show 4 more configurations
The remaining EPA-rated configurations on this page.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 12Automatic 4-spd64.3L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 4WD14 mpg18 mpg16 mpg$3,900555 g/mi
Configuration 13Manual 5-spd64.3L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 4WD14 mpg19 mpg16 mpg$3,900555 g/mi
Configuration 14Automatic 4-spd85.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 4WD12 mpg17 mpg14 mpg$4,450635 g/mi
Configuration 15Manual 5-spd85.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks 4WD12 mpg17 mpg14 mpg$4,450635 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine140000
Transmission & Drivetrain221000
Fuel System160000
Electrical120710
Brakes809000
Steering211020
Suspension, Wheels & Tires151000
Airbags & Restraints219090
Driver Assistance & Speed Control71000
Body, Seats & Latches130010
Visibility & Lighting451210
Other111100

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (4)

  • EQUIPMENT · Campaign 07E088000 · Oct 30, 2007

    Defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

    Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

    Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 06E043000 · May 22, 2006

    Defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

    Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

    Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 98V187000 · Aug 17, 1998

    Defect: 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.

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR · Campaign 98V033000 · Feb 25, 1998

    Defect: 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.