Most common 1998 GMC Yukon problems
Share of the 80 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Yukon complaints by model year
Best Yukon years: 2014, 2020, 2019. Years to avoid: 2023, 2021, 2015, 2022, 2024. Compare all years →
1998 GMC Yukon recalls (2)
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.
Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
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.
Remedy: Dealers are arranging to have the vehicles involved towed to the dealership and alternate transportation is being arranged for owners.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1998 GMC Yukon:
Seat belt anchorage separation
Odi has received one (1) complaint alleging that the 2nd row passenger-side seat belt release buckle anchor detached from seat frame during a side impact crash.during the crash, the occupant was thrown from his seat, partially ejected through the rear quarter window of the vehicle.occupant sustained injury.GM has subsequently changed seat belt anchoring design in my 2000.
Erratic power steering assist while driv
The office of defect investigation (odi) has investigated allegations of power steering assist fluctuations in the subject vehicles.for details and a basis for the investigation conclusions, please see the closing report in the ea99-011 public file.odi has not identified a safety-related defect trend in the subject vehicle population.futher expenditure of agency resources on this subject does not appear to be…
Seat belt anchorage separation
What 1998 GMC Yukon owners say
Brakes all 21 →
Bumper to bumper traffic during rush hour, brakes went to the floor causing about a 10 MPH impact into pickup in front of us. Glad we weren't up to speed when the brakes went. Upon further inspection, I have rusted brake lines, and the front crossover line leaking profusely due to corrosion of metal.
This vehicle has historically been bad for wear on discs and pads. I had just replaced the discs and pads once again, and was in an accident. I really think the problem was with the ABS system and not the disc or pads.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
About 3 hours into a long-distance trip, during heavy rain, the windshield wipers on my car quit working. I was pulling a camp trailer and had 4 children in the car with me. It was a very frighening experience and caused us all great distress and anxiety with the dangerous situation. There was no pull-out available so I was forced to stop the vehicle while it stuck out in the roadway. I turned off the engine and opened the hood of the car. I lightly hit the wiper motor with a rock. The wipers started working again. I continued driving with caution not knowing when the wipers might quit working again. Since that time I have used a lubricant to help repell water from my windshield and try to limit the use of my wipers unless absolutely necessary. I cannot depend on my wipers to give me visability. I contacted the GMC assistance center in detroit and filed a complaint with them. …
Driving on the interstate in so. Idaho, during a heavy rainstorm, in moderate traffic, my windshield wiper suddenly stopped working. I could not see anything in front of me (through the windshield) and had to guide my car to the shoulder of the road using the side window for visability. I repeatedly turned the wiper switches but could not get them to work. I sat by the side of the interstate for over 20 minutes with my engine running while trying to get the wipers to start working again. They did not. I had to abandon my vehicle and flag down a passing vehicle to assist me in getting help. When I returned to the vehicle with a mechanic, and started my Yukon up, the wipers worked fine. I immediately took the vehicle to a GMC dealer where I first learned that the wiper motor was defective, I learned that GMC knew it was defective and also learned that GMC was not going to fix the problem.
Steering
The power steering goes into "full mode" at speeds above about 25 MPH, making a one inch movement of the steering wheel into the equivalent of a one quarter turn of the wheel. It is especially dangerous on the freeway, although on city streets it makes the vehicle jerk around in the lane. This has already been reported and has resulted in one death and about 8-10 accidents. My wife and children will not drive the vehicle due to this condition, and I have had several "close calls" due to this faulty GMC part, which has a technical service bulletin already published about it.
Power steering pump lost "power", luckily, at low speed and close to home. The pulley shaft broke off at the impeller. I replaced the pump, with a reman from autozone. The "new" pump lasted about 25 miles before it's shaft broke. I'm installing a replacement reman this evening.
1998 GMC Yukon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5L 8-cyl turbo diesel | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 15 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 GMC Yukon a good car?
Based on 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Yukon rates better than average: 47% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Yukon 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 Yukon?
The brakes — 21 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (16) and steering (11).
How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Yukon have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1998 GMC Yukon, 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 Yukon?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2020 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2021, 2015, 2022 and 2024. See the full GMC Yukon years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 GMC Yukon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 98,000 miles; 11% 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.