1998 GMC Pickup 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. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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."
What could happen: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: 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.
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 PICKUP.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08E050000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-909-839-2992.
- 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: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.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY HONDA, FORD, OR CHRYSLER LLC. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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.
What could happen: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: 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.
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 PICKUP.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E040000.
- 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: 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.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO E SPEED RACING AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS." CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (6), Hydraulic (6), Body / structure (3), Visibility (wipers / glass) (3), Engine (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
09/13/2007 · Body / structure
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
09/13/2007 · Lights
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
11/01/2004 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
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
03/08/2004 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
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 ISS…
03/21/2003 · Engine
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
12/06/2001 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
11/20/2001 · Engine
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
11/20/2001 · Transmission / drivetrain
MANUFACTURER'S LATEST "FIX IT" KIT FAILED. DEFINITELY DEFECTIVE. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK