1998 Gmc Pickup problems

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GMC (formerly the General Motors Truck Company (1911–1943), or the GMC Truck & Coach Division (1943–1998)) is a division of American automotive manufacturer General Motors (GM) for trucks and utility vehicles. GMC currently makes SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and light-duty trucks. In the past, GMC also produced fire trucks, ambulances, heavy-duty trucks, military vehicles, motorhomes, transit buses, and medium duty trucks.

While many of their vehicles are mechanically similar, GMC is positioned as a premium offering to the mainstream Chevrolet brand, and includes the luxury trim Denali. In North America, GMC vehicles are almost always sold alongside Buick (another premium brand) vehicles at multi-brand dealerships.

History

Roots to the GMC brand can be traced to 1900, when the "Grabowsky Motor Company" was established by brothers Max (1874-1946) and Morris Grabowsky, in Detroit, and renamed Rapid Motor Vehicle Company in 1902 when the brothers moved operations to Pontiac, Michigan. In 1909, William C. Durant gained control of Rapid Motor Vehicle Company and made it a subsidiary of his General Motors Company.

In 1911, General Motors formed the "General Motors Truck Company" and folded Rapid and Reliance Motor Car Company (another early commercial vehicle manufacturer that Durant had acquired in 1908) into it. In 1912, the Rapid and Reliance names were dropped in favor of "GMC". All General Motors truck production was consolidated at the former Rapid Motor Plant 1 in Pontiac, Michigan.

GMC maintained three manufacturing locations in Pontiac, Michigan, Oakland, California, and St. Louis, Missouri .

In 1916, a GMC truck crossed the country from Seattle to New York City in thirty days, and in 1926, a 2-ton GMC truck was driven from New York to San Francisco in five days and 30 minutes. During the First World War, the company provided the Model 16 3/4-ton truck, and modified its production to provide 1-ton troop carriers and aviation support vehicles, and by 1918, more than 90 percent of GMC truck production was for military use. GMTC provided a total of 8512 trucks to the U.S. government during the war years and earned a Distinguished Service Award. During the Second World War, GMC Truck produced 600,000 trucks for use by the United States Armed Forces.

In 1923, GMC trucks were exported to Japan to help recovery and reconstruction as a result of the Great Kantō earthquake, and the company continued to provide vehicles as the transportation infrastructure was rebuilt. Before the earthquake struck, most of Japan's transportation of commerce and people was by wooden carts and government owned railroads, which were severely damaged when the train tracks were twisted beyond use. Autonomous trucks were much more effective at traveling to heavily damaged areas.

In 1925, GM purchased a controlling interest in Yellow Coach, a bus and taxicab manufacturer based in Chicago, Illinois which was founded by John D. Hertz. The company was renamed Yellow Truck & Coach Manufacturing Company (YT&CMC), an affiliated subsidiary of General Motors. All manufacturing operations of General Motors Truck Company were placed under YT&CMC. In 1928 Plant 2 opened and all headquarters staff moved to the administration building at 660 South Boulevard E in Pontiac, MI. In 1943, GM purchased the remaining interest in YT&CMC and renamed it GMC Truck and Coach Division.

In 1981, GMC Truck & Coach Division became part of GM Worldwide Truck & Bus Group. Bus production ended in May 1987 and the division name was changed from GMC Truck & Coach to GMC Truck Division. The Canadian plant (in London, Ontario) produced buses from 1962 until July 1987. GM withdrew from the bus and coach market because of increased competition in the late 1970s and 1980s. Rights to the RTS model were sold to Transportation Manufacturing Corporation, while Motor Coach Industries of Canada purchased the Classic design. In 1998, GMC's official branding on vehicles was shortened from "GMC Truck" to simply "GMC".

In 1996, GM merged GMC Truck Division with the Pontiac Motor Division in order to "give the combined division a brand image projecting physical power and outdoor activity". This coincided with many GMC dealerships merging with Pontiac dealerships, allowing a single dealer to offer both trucks and entry-to-mid-level cars, using a similar approach already in use by Chevrolet.

In 2002, GMC celebrated its 100th anniversary and released a book entitled GMC: The First 100 Years, a complete history of the company.

In 2007, GMC introduced the Acadia, a crossover SUV, which was the division's second unibody vehicle (after the Vandura) whose predecessor, the GMT-360 based Envoy, was discontinued with the closure of GM's Moraine, Ohio plant on December 23, 2008.

In 2009, GMC ended production of medium-duty commercial trucks after over 100 years. They became exclusive to Chevrolet with the launch of the 4500HD/5500HD Silverado in 2018. Also in 2009, GMC introduced the Terrain, a mid-size crossover SUV based on the GM Theta platform shared with the Chevrolet Equinox. It replaced the Pontiac Torrent after the brand's demise.

In 2020, General Motors announced the return of the Hummer nameplate, this time as a sub-brand of GMC instead of a stand-alone division. The Hummer lineup includes two models, an electric pickup truck and SUV, to be sold as the "GMC Hummer EV". According to GM, the Edition 1 production electric pickup truck will feature 1,000 horsepower, hit 60 mph in 3 seconds and is scheduled to launch in late 2021. The new Hummer EV was revealed on October 20, 2020.

In 2022, the GMC brand was introduced in South Korea as a subsidiary of GM Korea.

1998 Gmc Pickup

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Common 1998 Gmc Pickup problems

Based on the information provided in the sources, here are the common problems with the GMC pickup 1998 based on complaints from owners:

  1. Fuel System Issues:
    • Complaints: Owners reported sudden stalling, sputtering, and skipping, even with fuel in the tank. Some experienced issues with the fuel pump and fuel pressure.
    • Details: The fuel pressure might not be sufficient for the EFI system, leading to stalling. Checking fuel pressure at the rail and inspecting the pump's functionality is crucial. Issues with the fuel pump, filters, or crank sensors could cause these symptoms.
  2. Electrical Problems:
    • Complaints: Owners faced various electrical issues like malfunctioning dash gauges, interior lights failing, and erratic locking/unlocking of the vehicle.
    • Details: Electrical malfunctions, including issues with the speedometer accuracy, can pose safety risks and lead to tickets or loss of control. Repairs may involve sensor replacements, wiring fixes, or addressing power source problems.
  3. Heating System Malfunctions:
    • Complaints: Some owners reported the heater turning on randomly, potentially causing discomfort and affecting driving conditions.
    • Details: The heating system in the GMC Sierra 1998 may exhibit erratic behavior, such as activating unexpectedly. This issue could stem from electrical faults or control system malfunctions, requiring thorough diagnosis and repair.
  4. Engine Knock:
    • Complaints: Engine knocking was highlighted as a more serious and less common problem, known for being challenging and costly to diagnose and repair.
    • Details: Engine knocks are critical issues that demand immediate attention. Diagnosis and repair of internal engine problems can be complex and expensive, emphasizing the need for professional assessment to prevent further damage.

These problems reflect common issues reported by owners of the GMC pickup 1998, encompassing fuel system, electrical, heating system, and engine-related concerns. Addressing these issues promptly and accurately is essential to ensure the vehicle's optimal performance and safety.

1998 Gmc Pickup engine

1998 Gmc Pickup car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Gmc Pickup problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Structure problems
  • Visibility problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1998 Gmc Pickup vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1998 Gmc Pickup complaints

The NHTSA has received 20 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1998 Gmc Pickup.

2007-09-13

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1901-01-01
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: 1998 GMC PICKUP HAS FROSTED HEADLIGHT LENSES. CUSTOMER STATES THEY LOOKED SCRATCHED. MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THIS MODEL IS SUBJECT TO SAND BLASTING BY ROAD DEBRIS. *KB
2007-09-13

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2007-02-01
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: 1998 GM PICKUP TRUCK WITH SEVERE CORROSION ON FRONT FRAME. CUSTOMER STATES THAT 7 OTHER VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE TO USE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMERS OBSERVATION. THE DESIGN OF THE CROSSMEMBER PROVIDED NO EXIT POINT FOR ACCUMULATED WATER, WHICH ALLOWED THE BUILD-UP OF SEDIMENT AND THE SUBSEQUENT CORROSION FROM WITHIN THE FRAME STRUCTURE. *JB
2004-11-01

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-05-01
  • VIN: 2GTEK19R7W1
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE DRIVING AND IF HITTING A BUMP OR SOMETHING THEY MAY COMPLETELY FAIL, OR COME ON WHILE IN A RAIN STORM. CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *TC
2004-03-08

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-03-05
  • VIN: 1GTEK14R4WZ
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: I HAVE A 1998 GMC SIERRA P/U MY WISHIELD WIPERS HAVE THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: WIPERS WILL NOT WORK OR WORK INTERMITTENTLY; WIPERS STOP WORKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, MAYBE EVEN IN MID-STROKE; WIPER FUNCTION IS ERRATIC, WITH NO DELAY FEATURE, DELAY IS THE SAME REGARDLESS OF SETTING, OR NO LOW- OR HIGH-SPEED SETTING. I'VE NOTICED THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS ISSUED A RECAL FOR 1996 MODELS AND FEEL THIS IS SIMILAR.*AK
2003-03-21

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-01-04
  • VIN: 1GCEK19WXWE
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: 1998 GMC PICKUP HAD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED AND STILL CONTINUES TO LEAK. I'M TOLD BY DEALERS ITS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM AND IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR $600 AND MY HAVE CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. *NLM
2001-12-06

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-11-20
  • VIN: 1GTGK29J3WE
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
2001-11-20

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-08-11
  • VIN: 1GTGK29J3WE
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
2001-11-20

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-06-15
  • VIN: 1GDM7H1JXWJ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: MANUFACTURER'S LATEST "FIX IT" KIT FAILED. DEFINITELY DEFECTIVE. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK
2001-02-03

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-09-01
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: RIGHT FRONT RUBBER GASKET/GROMMETS IN WHEEL CYLINDERS FAILED. *SLC
2000-12-04

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-07-21
  • VIN: 1GTEC19RXWR
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: WEATHER STRIP CAME LOOSE. *SLC
2000-12-04

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-07-21
  • VIN: 1GTEC19RXWR
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING, THE THROTTLE TENDS TO REMAIN OPEN, IT WON'T DECELERATE ONCE THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES, HOWEVER THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FIX TO THE PROBLEM. *SLC
2000-12-04

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-07-21
  • VIN: 1GTEC19RXWR
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: WEATHER STRIP CAME LOOSE. *SLC
2000-12-04

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-08-21
  • VIN: 1GTEC19RXWR
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: WHEEL CYLINDER CAP CRACKED, BRAKES OVERHEATED, THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH REAR WITH CYLINDER AND BLED THE BRAKES, LATER THE DEALER FOUND ON THE ABS SYSTEM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL CYLINDER WAS LEAKING, DEALER REPLACED REAR BRAKE SHOES AND REAR WHEEL CYLINDER. *SLC
2000-12-04

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-07-21
  • VIN: 1GTEC19RXWR
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING, THE THROTTLE TENDS TO REMAIN OPEN, IT WON'T DECELERATE ONCE THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES, HOWEVER THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FIX TO THE PROBLEM. *SLC
2000-12-04

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-08-21
  • VIN: 1GTEC19RXWR
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: WHEEL CYLINDER CAP CRACKED, BRAKES OVERHEATED, THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH REAR WITH CYLINDER AND BLED THE BRAKES, LATER THE DEALER FOUND ON THE ABS SYSTEM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL CYLINDER WAS LEAKING, DEALER REPLACED REAR BRAKE SHOES AND REAR WHEEL CYLINDER. *SLC
2000-09-07

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-04-27
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 1GTEK19RXWR
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: BRAKE PEDAL GOES COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR UNDER SEVERE BRAKING CONDITIONS.
2000-09-07

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-04-27
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 1GTEK19RXWR
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: BRAKE PEDAL GOES COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR UNDER SEVERE BRAKING CONDITIONS.
2000-06-27

WHEELS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: WHEELS
  • Summary: ALL 5 WHEELS CAME FROM THE FACTORY BENT.MAUNFACTURER REFUSES TO PROVIDE CONSUMER WITH STRAIGHT WHEELS. NO DEALER WILL REPLACE TIRES WITH WHEELS BENT.*AK
2000-05-18

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-05-18
  • VIN: 2GTEC19M3WI
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
1999-04-15

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1GTG29J6WE5
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: STEERING DESIGN IS INADEQUATE,WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A DECLINE, VEHICLE MUST BE PUT IN PARKED GEAR WITH RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO TURN WHEELS.

1998 Gmc Pickup recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1998 Gmc Pickup.

2008-08-11
  • Manufacturer: K2 MOTOR CORPORATION
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
  • Summary: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
  • Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
  • Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
2006-05-15
  • Manufacturer: E SPEED RACING
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
  • Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
  • Remedy: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
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