1998 GMC Envoy recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONSOLE COVER/ARMREST CAM LATCH THAT COULD RELEASE AT LESS THAN THE REQUIRED LOAD OF THE STANDARD.
What could happen: DURING A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURY AN OCCUPANT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 ENVOY.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V375000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONSOLE COVER/ARMREST CAM LATCH THAT COULD RELEASE AT LESS THAN THE REQUIRED LOAD OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence: DURING A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURY AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT GMC AT 1-800-462-8782. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 2,600, ARE LOCATED LESS THAN 100MM FROM THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD WARNING LAMPS, AND ARE NOT DEACTIVATED WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL OR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS ARE ACTIVATED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
What could happen: THIS CONDITION WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR DRIVERS OF ONCOMING VEHICLES TO SEE THE TURN SIGNAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BODY CONTROL MODULE AND REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE WITH A NEW CALIBRATION THAT WILL TURN THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS OFF WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL OR HAZARD WARNING FLASHER IS ACTIVATED.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 ENVOY.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V097001.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 2,600, ARE LOCATED LESS THAN 100MM FROM THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD WARNING LAMPS, AND ARE NOT DEACTIVATED WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL OR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS ARE ACTIVATED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR DRIVERS OF ONCOMING VEHICLES TO SEE THE TURN SIGNAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BODY CONTROL MODULE AND REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE WITH A NEW CALIBRATION THAT WILL TURN THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS OFF WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL OR HAZARD WARNING FLASHER IS ACTIVATED.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT GMC AT 1-800-462-8782. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (3), Visibility (wipers / glass) (3), Engine (3), Lights (3), Wheels / tires (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/15/2011 · Brakes
I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY WITH MULTIPLE STOPLIGHTS. AS A LIGHT TURNED RED, I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ACCOMPANIED BY THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PULLED OFF INTO A PARKING LOT AND DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTI…
05/17/2006 · Suspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DIP IN THE ROAD AND THE REAR LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE BODY TO DROP TO THE GROUND. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED NEAR THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO A DEALER. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE FRACTURED L…
05/04/2005 · Brakes
PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR; ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICK IN AT LOW SPEEDS 5-10 MPH
02/16/2005 · Body / structure
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DID NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. WHEN THE DOOR WAS LOCKED, IT WOULD COME OFF OF THE HINGE AND WAS PARTIALLY OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THIS WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *SC *JB
12/07/2004 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
ON DEC. 7, 2004, IT WAS A VERY RAINY DAY AND OF COURSE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY WOULD TURN OFF, OR THEY WOULD TURN ON TO FULL WIPING WHEN I HAD THEM SET FOR INTERMITTENT WIPING. THEY ALSO WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN I TURNED THEM OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THIS FIRST HAPPEND IN OCTOBER OF 2002. I BROUGHT IT…
10/20/2004 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
WIPER MALFUNCTION WITH EXACT SYMPTOMS THAT THE NEWER GMC SUV ARE HAVING. MECHANICS ARE USING THE SAME PART ON ALL VEHICLES AND IT OCCURS SPIRATICALLY. DEALERS ARE SAYING THIS CONTROLLING DEVICE IS COMMON TO HAVE THIS OCCUR. THE WIPER MOTOR SOMETIMES JUST STOP OR CHANGE SPEED ON IT'S OWN AND IT HAS BE OCCURING FROM 96 TO CURRENT AND THEY ONLY WANT TO REPL…
05/07/2004 · Suspension
ON MONDAY, 5/3/04, MY SON BACKED OUR 1998 GMC ENVOY OUT OF HIS GARAGE. THE LEFT FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO GMC DEALER, THE BALL JOINT AND CV JOINTS FAILED. DEALER ADVISED US RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR GMC JIMMYS UP TO 1996 YEAR, BUT NOTHING FOR 1998. HAD MY SON BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE COULD HAVE RESULTED.…
04/17/2004 · Engine
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN MY 1998 GMC ENVOY WITH 43162 MILES STOPPED ACCELERATING. WHEN I STEPPED HARDER ON THE GAS, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT REV AND POWER BEGAN TO RUN OUT FROM THE ENGINE. THE MOTOR STALLED AND YET THE ELECTRICITY WAS STILL ON IN THE CAR. I BEGAN TO LOSE BRAKING POWER AND STEERING BECAME HARDER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE…