The 1998 GMC Yukon has 3 safety recalls and 80 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (22 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints80filed by owners
Crashes · fires5 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 3reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline
NHTSA recall 06E043000 · May 19, 2006 · 88,303 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
NHTSA recall 98V033000 · Feb 17, 1998 · 1,137 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.
Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
NHTSA recall 97V142000 · Aug 29, 1997 · 3,957 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND CAB CAN CAUSE THE STEERING SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS ARE ARRANGING TO HAVE THE VEHICLES INVOLVED TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION IS BEING ARRANGED FOR OWNERS. DEALERS WILL THEN INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PINCH BOLT AND TORQUE THIS BOLT TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.
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
Yukon 1500 4WD Diesel
15mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Diesel
6.5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $6,400/year to fuel
Yukon 1500 2WD
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
Yukon 1500 2WD
14mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 16 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
Yukon 1500 4WD
13mpg combined
City / highway
12 / 15 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/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
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
Structure Frame and members › Underbody shields; Body › Trunk lid
4
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front
4
0
0
0
—
Tires Tread/belt; Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
3
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine
3
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
3
1
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Cruise control
2
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 13, 2017 · 148,000 miles · crashAir bags I GOT INTO A ACCIDENT. AT THE INTERSECTION OF WASHINGTON ST AND 2ND ST IN RENO NV. I IMPACTED ANOTHER CAR AS THEY WENT ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY, I IMPACTED THE PASSENGER REAR END OF THE OTHER PERSONS VEHICLE. THE MAIN POINT OF IMPACT ON MY YUKON WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT CORNER. THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT VERY BAD, NO ONE REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE SCENE. WHEN I IMPACTED I WAS TRAVELING LESS THAN 35 M P H. AND ACCORDING TO THE DRIVEWISE DEVICE. THE VEHICLE IMPACTED AFTER APPLYING THE BREAK AT APPROX 16 MPH- AT WHICH POINT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WHEN FURTHER LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE AND REPLACING THE AIRBAGS WE FOUND THAT THE SENSOR DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE…
Apr 21, 2015 · 109,000 miles · crashService brakes 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.
Jul 20, 2014Engine and engine cooling MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRUCK JUST LOST ALL POWER AND CUT OFF. SHE MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT IT IN PARK. IT DIDN'T START RIGHT AWAY BUT I A COUPLE OF MINUTES IT STARTED BACK UP AND WE MADE IT HOME. IT HAS SUBSEQUENTLY DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES NOW. *TR
Jul 29, 2013 · 160,000 milesSteering 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. *TR
Jun 1, 2006 · 85,000 milesService brakes TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AT LOW SPEEDS, THE ABS BRAKE MODULE ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE FUSE FOR THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM TO TEMPORARILY REMEDY THE FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD ABS BRAKING ABILITY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ADDRESSING THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
Jan 4, 2011 · 88,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM FROM FRONT TO REAR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. THE ABS SENSORS FAILED THREE TIMES. UPDATED 03/03/11
Jun 16, 2010 · 200,000 miles · fireFuel system, gasoline TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND IGNITED INTO HEAVY FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE PARKED NEXT TO THE BURNING VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E043000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.
Aug 10, 2004 · 120,000 milesSteering 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. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA01018 · opened Dec 20, 2001 · closed Dec 9, 2002SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
PE01023 · opened Jul 17, 2001 · closed Dec 20, 2001SEAT 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. ODI HAS COMPLETED A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND HAS DETERMINED THAT FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.
EA99011 · opened May 12, 1999 · closed Feb 27, 2001ERRATIC 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 WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ENGINEERING IS CLOSED.