Most common 1998 GMC Sierra 2500 problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 2500 complaints by model year
Best Sierra 2500 years: 2012, 2014, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021, 2022. Compare all years →
1998 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
What 1998 GMC Sierra 2500 owners say
Brakes
When attempting to stop front brakes overpowered rear brakes in which anti-lock brake system kicked in and caused complete loss of braking ability. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has replaced brake shoes and drums. But, problem still occurs. Please provide any further details.
Upon attempting to brake front brakes over powered rear brakes causing anti- lock brakes to kick in, and resulting in complete loss of braking ability. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has replaced parts, but problem still occurs. Please provide any further details.
Transmission & drivetrain
Consumer stated that rear seals were leaking. Consumer purchased vehicle used, and was told that seals were replaced at 30000 miles by the original owner. Currently, these seals needed to be replaced again. Consumer indicated that the seals were leaking grease or oil which caused the brakes to grab and release, grab and release when trying to come to a stop. This was a safety hazard because one day vehicle might not stop at all.
The truck shut off no power brakes, steering. This happened while pulling a trailer. The GMC dealer informed me that the shut off was the result of a pump mounted driver (pmd) failure on the 6.5l diesel motor. Very unsafe should have resulted in a accident.
1998 GMC Sierra 2500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 6.5L 8-cyl turbo diesel | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 12 / 18 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 GMC Sierra 2500 a good car?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Sierra 2500 rates better than average: 66% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sierra 2500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 GMC Sierra 2500?
The brakes — 8 complaints, 53% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (3) and steering (2).
How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Sierra 2500 have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 GMC Sierra 2500, the most recent from February 17, 1998 (rotor). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2014 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021 and 2022. See the full GMC Sierra 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 GMC Sierra 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 47,000 miles; 60% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.