Model year record

1998 GMC Savana recalls & problems

The 1998 GMC Savana has 2 safety recalls and 33 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (11 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints33filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 17, 1998

Foundation components › Disc › Rotor

Recall 98V0330001,137 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IF A DRIVER CONTINUES TO DRIVE WITH A CRACKED ROTOR, THE CRACKS COULD CONTINUE AROUND THE WHEEL MOUNTING BOLT CIRCLE AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROTORS FOR A CORE DATE OF "287" AND, IF FOUND, REPLACE THE ROTOR.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc	11	0	—
Air bagsFrontal › Sensor/control module; Frontal	6	0	—
TiresTread/belt; Temporary/emergency spare tire	5	0	—
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery	4	1	—
StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments; Body › Door	4	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system	3	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	2	0	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Engine	2	0	—
Power trainManual transmission	1	0	—
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Exterior	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
GM theft system engaged leaving me stranded multiple times including on a remote mountain side. I was only able to get a cell signal by walking a few KM's down the road in the middle of the night to call for help. When I was able to get a hold of the dealer in the morning, they instructed me on how to "relearn" the key code and drive the van to the dealership. They cut a new key and sent me on my way. Since, the van theft system has left me stranded multiple times and me having to spend half an hour or more doing the relearn procedure. Warning lamps include "security' light illuminated on dash. Van starts, runs for 2 seconds and turns off.
Jul 20, 2019
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS ENGAGES AT LOW SPEEDS OF 5MPH AND BELOW. THIS PRIMARILY HAPPENS WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 05V379000 CONCERNING THE ABS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN AND THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
Feb 3, 2003 · 53,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
DT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD NOT CONTACTED GMC AT THIS POINT. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 18, 2005. VEHICLE WAS BURNED COMPLETELY BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE. THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN, PULLED OVER, AND THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE BOTTOM AROUND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *AK
Jul 18, 2005 · 105,000 miles
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
THE HINGES ONTHE SIDE DOORS ARE BREAKING CAUSING THE DOORS TO BIND AND NOT ABLE TO OPEN.YOU CANT GET IN OR OUT OF THE VAN USING THE SIDE DOORS. FIST THE INSIDE DOOR BANELS BOUND ON EACH OTHER AND WERE TORN OFF.*AK THE HINGES ARE WELDED TO THE GMC VAN. I CANT REPLACE THEM.
Aug 1, 2003
Structure › Body › Door
THE CABLE WHICH CONTROLLED THE SIDE PASSENGER DOOR BROKE.*MR. THREE MONTHS LATER THE CABLE WHICH HELD THE SPARE TIRE BROKE. *TS *JB
Jul 10, 2003
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
THE HINGES ON THE SIDE DOORS OF MY 1998 GMC SAVANA VAN OF THE 4 HINGES: 1 IS BROKEN AND 2 ARE CRACKED. I CALLED GMC AND GOT THE RUN AROUND. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THEM UNLESS YOU ISSUED A RECALL ON THE HINGES. *NLM
Jun 4, 2003
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE (PLASTIC GASKET) ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK. *JB
Mar 26, 2003 · 63,000 miles
Tires › Tread/belt
FIRESTONE, TIRE SIZE LT245/75R16 DOT VN11B1A108. TREAD SEPARATED ON THREE TIRES. EQUIPMENT FOR A 1998, GMC, 15 PASSENGER VAN. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *YH
Jan 4, 2002

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.