FaultScore

1994 GMC Sonoma brake problems

154 of the 297 complaints about the 1994 GMC Sonoma are about the braking system — 52% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 115,000 miles.

F

154

Complaints

20

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 114 74.0%
Foundation Components 11 7.1%
Pads 6 3.9%
Antilock 5 3.2%
Master Cylinder 3 1.9%
Pedals AND Linkages 3 1.9%
Rotor 3 1.9%
ABS Warning Light 2 1.3%
Drum 2 1.3%
Power Assist 2 1.3%

Brakes across every GMC Sonoma year

1991 14 2.7%
1992 18 3.4%
1993 34 6.5%
1994 154 29.5%
1995 94 18.0%
1996 59 11.3%
1997 44 8.4%
1998 18 3.4%
1999 10 1.9%
2000 40 7.7%
2001 18 3.4%
2002 19 3.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 91,000 miles Dover, DE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

ABS LIGHT IS ON AND DEALER CLAIMS MY 1994 GMC SONOMA NEEDS A $2,200 ABS COMPUTER REPLACED. THERE WAS RECALL ON THE ABS MODULE IN 7/00. I BELIEVE THIS RECALL AFFECTED THE ABS COMPUTER THAT NOW NEEDS REPLACING AND I'M ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE FROM GMC ON SHARING THE REPLACEMENT COSTS.

NHTSA complaint #10221762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Rochester, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1994 GMC SONOMA. THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. SOMETIMES WHEN SHE IS TRYING TO STOP, IT WILL EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE HER 125 DOLLARS TO LOOK AT IT. IN TWO MONTHS SHE HAS HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED THREE TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS, PADS, DRUMS, EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE AND NOTHING SEEMED TO HELP. THE ABS LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON. GMC STATED THE CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN WITH THE RECALL BECAUSE HER VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND A LOT OF MILES ON IT. THE SHOCKS HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS ARE 99I006000 AND 99V193000.

NHTSA complaint #10130004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 170,000 miles Davenport, IA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT: THIS IS A GMC S15 SONOMA 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS ONE OF THE 4 WHEEL SPEED SENSORS.

NHTSA complaint #10128652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Ashland City, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

AT 35 MPH PASSANGER LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED AND RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE BEING DISABLED AND TOWED FROM FROM ROAD. 94 SONOMA 2.2 LITER WITH 180,000 MILES. I HAD NO CLUE AS TO THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO RUN FINE JUST BEFORE THE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10126596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Maumee, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

EVERY TIME THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA complaint #10021710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Middleboro, MA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THEH VEHICLE TO SLIDE INTO A FENCE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10006899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indianapolis, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THAT THE BRAKE IS TO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATION PEDAL CAUSING ACCIDENT. TS

NHTSA complaint #8021622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brownstown, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI-LOCK LIGHT GOES ON & BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG, TOOK IT HOME LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN & NO BRAKES, TWICE I ALMOST KILLED MYSELF. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THEY THEN FOUND THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD IT WAS HUB BEARING WORN & RUBBING ON THE ANTI-LOCK SENSOR. I DO NOT THINK THAT SHOULD MAKE MY BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR. MY BRAKES WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF NOISE OR WEAR ON THE HUB BEARINGS.

NHTSA complaint #766468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wenatchee, WA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE ABS BRAKES THAT GMC PUT ON THIS PICKUP APPEAR TO BE MISS CALIBRATED OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THE BRAKES APPEAR TO WORK FINE AT HIGH SPEEDS. IT IS A DIFFERENT STORY WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP WHEN THE SPEED DROPS. DRY PAVEMENT WITH SAND ON IT THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS EXTENDED. THE LOCAL DEALER FOUND AN SPECIAL FACTORY ORDER AND REPLACED THE BRAKE BRAIN WHICH DIDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING. THE BRAKE PADS ON THE FRONT ARE NEW AND THE REAR SHOES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. WHEN YOU TRY TO DRIVE ON THE ANTIFREEZE COMPOUND THE STATE AND CITY APPLY TO THE STREETS MAKES IT A REAL CHALLANGE TO EVEN SLOW DOWN WITH OUT FRONT BRAKE LOCK UP. I CARRY ABOUT 400# OF WEIGHT IN THE WINTER TO FACILTATE STARTING AND STOPPING. LAST WINTER I WAS COMING DOWN A HILL VERY SLOWLY AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND FRONT WHEEL LOCKUP AND THE BACK WHEELS DIDN'T STOP BUT TURNED SLOWLY LEAVING TREAD MARKS. THE REARS DIDN'T SLIDE AT ALL AS I SLIDE OFF THE ROAD IN THE A SNOW BANK. I TRY NOT TO DRIVE THE PICKUP IN THE WINTER BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE A WRECK. EVERY TIME I TRY AND STOP IN THE WINTER IT IS A THRILL. MY CAR HAS ABS AND I KNOW HOW ABS SHOULD WORK. THIS PICKUP IS THE GREATEST TRUCK I HAVE EVERY OWNED EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKES. I DO UNDERSTAND THAT MY TRUCK HAS MANY MILES ON IT, BUT IT IS WELL MAINTAINED. GMC SHOULD BE ABLE TO COME OUT WITH A FIX FOR THE BRAKES BEFORE SOMEBODY IS KILLED. I REALLY DON'T WANT TO PARK THE TRUCK OR JUNK IT. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #752642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chagrin Falls, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE, THAT GOES FROM METAL TUBING TO PLASTIC AND ATTACHES TO WHEEL, WORE THROUGH, CAUSING PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR, AND RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #887480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Wayne, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

WHEN EGR VALVE FAILS (CAMPAIN NOTICE G96067) POWER BRAKES ARE VERY ERRATIC.

NHTSA complaint #744431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cedar, MN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING WOULD STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL BUT BRAKES WILL NOT ACTIVATE RIGHT AWAY, AND PEDAL WILL KICK IN. BRAKE SYSTEM HAD BEEN REPAIRED FOUR TIMES BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #885603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aubrey, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

AFTER HAVING A RECALLED ITEM REPAIRED CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER.

NHTSA complaint #882313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Campbellsville, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BEFORE RECALL 99V193, CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE BEING DEFECTIVE, AFTER RECALL REPAIR, BRAKES STILL DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #554157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Whitmore Lake, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN PEDAL WAS PRESSED. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #869934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pennsboro, WV

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT (99V-193) PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #553741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tallahasse, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT (99I-006) PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #553300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tallahasse, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (99I006), CONSUMER FEELS THE ENTIRE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM SHOULD BE REPLACED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #553747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tallahassee, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #866582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittssield, MA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON A SIDE ROAD AND WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM DIDN'T KICK IN. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND.

NHTSA complaint #866518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warner ROB, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #552617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warner ROB, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

FRONT WHEEL BRAKE PADS WORE OUT. YH

NHTSA complaint #552617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warner ROB, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS VALVE SYSTEM FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #552617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warner ROB, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #552617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warner ROB, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

FRONT WHEEL BRAKE PADS WORE OUT. YH

NHTSA complaint #552617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warner ROB, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS VALVE SYSTEM FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #552617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Drexel Hill, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT BRAKING FAILURES (EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE) ON WET SURFACES. BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR, BUT THE VEHICAL WONT STOP. INSUFFICIENT PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #724299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

White Lake, MI Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

RECALL 99V193000/ABS: ABS FAILURE RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AT SLOW SPEED, AND PEDAL GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED TWO REAR END ACCIDENTS. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #861034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saratoga Springs, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS ACTIVATES CONTINUALLY. MJS

NHTSA complaint #548425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Katy, TX Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

UPON THREE SEPARATE SITUATIONS, LAST ONE AND THE ONLY ONE WHICH CAUSED FRONT END CRASH DAMAGE, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP QUICKLY AT ABOUT 35 MPH, THE TRUCK FELT AS IF IT WERE ON ICE. THE TRUCK TOOK LONGER TO STOP THAN EXPECTED AND THERE WAS NO PULSING FEELING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL OR NO SOUNDS WHILE CONSISTENTLY HOLDING IT DOWN WITH HARD FOOT PRESSURE. THE BRAKE PADS WERE CHANGED AT AROUND 50,000 MI. ON THE OTHER TWO OCCASIONS, THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH BECAUSE OF CLEARANCE TO MANUVER INTO THE OTHER LANE.

NHTSA complaint #719511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 GMC Sonoma problems

← Full 1994 GMC Sonoma report