FaultScore

1996 GMC Sonoma brake problems

59 of the 190 complaints about the 1996 GMC Sonoma are about the braking system — 31% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 98,651 miles.

F

59

Complaints

18

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 36 61.0%
Foundation Components 9 15.3%
Disc 3 5.1%
Vacuum 3 5.1%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 2 3.4%
Antilock 2 3.4%
Pads 1 1.7%
Power Assist 1 1.7%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 1.7%
ABS Warning Light 1 1.7%

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 104,980 miles Chester, CT

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC SONOMA. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE LINE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED TEMPORARILY. HOWEVER, TWENTY MILES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE BRAKE LINE FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS REPLACED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL DURING BOTH FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 97V146001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,980.

NHTSA complaint #10197545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,651 miles Sidney, OH

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

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UNDER NORMAL BRAKING ON WET ROADS, THE ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE THREE SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, BUT WERE NOT CERTAIN THAT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER REPAIRS. THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED NHTSA RECALL # 99I006000 REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK.

NHTSA complaint #10173684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Prattville, AL

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

ABS ANTI-BRAKE SYSTEM HAS FAILED. LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY STAYS ON. ANALYSIS HAS DETERMINED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR SENSORS ARE BAD. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO ANALYSIS HAS DETERMINED THAT THE CATALICTIC CONVERTER IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON "LIGHT" TO BE ON CONTINUOUSLY.

NHTSA complaint #10058458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orange Park, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE BRAKE SYSTEM LEAKED FLUID WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10009331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shelby Twp., MI

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

IN SNOWEY OR RAINEY WEATHER, ANTILOCK BRAKES PULSATE IRRADICALLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS (INCLUDING 5 MPH) WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, EVEN WHEN NO SKID OR HARD BREAKING IS OCCURING. BRAKING WHEN THIS OCCURS, WHICH IS INTERMITTENTLY, IS POOR AND UNEVEN. DEALER AND GM CORP. CONTACTED, BUT ALL SAY NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN INITIATED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION, AND AN ACCIDENT (LAW SUIT) WAITING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #745256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Markham, IL

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

PREVIOUS OWNER STATED ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON/OFF LAST 2 YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #740379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA

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

ABS BRAKES ARE CAUSING VEHICLE TWO WHEEL DRIVE TO LOCK UP WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN WET CONDITIONS. DEALER NOTIFIED .

NHTSA complaint #877974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Watkinsvil, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED MAKING HTE BRAKE PEDAL DIFFUCULT TO DEPRESS, EVEN WHEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. NLM

NHTSA complaint #782527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rustburg, VA Crash 2 injured

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

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #721530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Augusta, GA

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

THIS IS AN UPDATE TO A PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED REPORT FOR ABS FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE INCIDENT DATE ON THIS REPORT IS APPROXIMATE. THE TWO WIRES TO THE RIGHT FRONT ABS SENSOR WERE SEVERED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND THE DISK BRAKE BACK PLATE/SPLASH SHIELD, TO WHICH THE WIRING IS ATTACHED WITH RIVETED METAL CLIPS. IT APPEARS THAT THE WIRES BECAME TRAPPED BETWEEN THE UPPER CONTROL ARM STAMPING AND THE HUB AND/OR DISK BRAKE BACK PLATE/SPLASH SHIELD, POSSIBLY DURING TURNS THAT CYCLED THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE WIRING INSULATION IS WORN IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS OTHER THAN THE BREAK POINT, AND THE FIRST METAL CLIP HAS BEEN TORN OFF THE POP RIVET THAT HOLDS IT TO THE BACKPLATE/SPLASH SHIELD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS WIRING HAS FAILED DUE TO THIS DESIGN OR INSTALLATION DEFECT. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AT THIS TIME AS WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR RECALL INFORMATION FROM GM, WHICH ARRIVED RECENTLY, BUT IT ADDRESSED AN ABS PROGRAMMING PROBLEM THAT AFFECTED BRAKING ON SURFACES THAT TRANSITIONED FROM WET TO DRY AND BACK.

NHTSA complaint #716387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINE ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE INCLUDING THE IDLE STICKING/INTERIOR MOULDING CRACKING/TRANSMISSION REBUILT/COMPUTER REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT TURN OFF, AND RIGHT SIDE BRAKE DOES NOT SEEM TO WEAR PROPERLY.. MY HUSBAND IS ABLE TO RECALL MORE.

NHTSA complaint #716153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, CA

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

WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINE ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE INCLUDING THE IDLE STICKING/INTERIOR MOULDING CRACKING/TRANSMISSION REBUILT/COMPUTER REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT TURN OFF, AND RIGHT SIDE BRAKE DOES NOT SEEM TO WEAR PROPERLY.. MY HUSBAND IS ABLE TO RECALL MORE.

NHTSA complaint #716153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Okalhoma City, OK Crash

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

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED,, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE TH CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #853482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elliott, ME

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

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE & STOPPED QUICKLY. COULD FEEL IT & HEAR IT TRYING TO KICK IN. FELT LIKE VEHCLE WAS ON ICE. DID NOT STOP RIGHT AWAY. WENT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION & THROUGH A RED LIGHT. FINALLY, GOT IT TO STOP. CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT ABS, RECALL CAMPAIGN , BUT DEALER COULD NOT OFFER ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #852148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vicksburg, MS

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

WHEN I TRY TO STOP I LOOSE MY BREAKS..THERE IS A RECALL BUT HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205/175R15 )

NHTSA complaint #713469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Watkinsville, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED. THIS FAILURE CAUSES UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING AND GREATLY INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCES. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY OR UNDER "GOODWILL" ASSIST. THIS IS PREMATURE FAILURE OF A MAJOR SAFETY COMPONENT.

NHTSA complaint #713509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burgettowns, PA Crash

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

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE APPLIED THE ABS BRAKES ANDTHE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE BATHROOM OF THE HOUSE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #847695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bakersfield, CA Crash

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

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #843554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Providence, RI

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

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #708624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Watkinsvil, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED MAKING HTE BRAKE PEDAL DIFFUCULT TO DEPRESS, EVEN WHEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. NLM

NHTSA complaint #782527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Prunedale, CA

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

THE BRAKES ARE WARPING EVERY 6 MONTHS, CAUSING A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #838698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Prunedale, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE BRAKES ARE WARPING EVERY 6 MONTHS, CAUSING A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #838698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reno, NV

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. ALSO, PULLEY CAME OFF, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE IGINTION SWITCH OFF.

NHTSA complaint #835619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sloansvill, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND EITHER OF THE FRONT WHEELS ARE ON SOMETHING SLIPPERY, THE SYSTEMS GROWLS AND THE PEDAL PUSHES BACK HARD, THE VEHICLE PULLS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THERE ARE NO BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #543590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bangor, ME

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

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 50 MPH AND WENT TO APPLY BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, GIVING NO RESPONSE. CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE PEDAL TO GET A LATE RESPONSE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #831137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mullins, SC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

IE98077, WHILE DRIVING BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OR NO BRAKING ABILITY AT ALL, IN WHICH THE CONSUMER NEEDS TO DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #830148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kailua, HI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE RECALL WORK NOT ABLE TO BE COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #523764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brownsville, TX

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

RECALL WORK DENIED TO THE BRAKE PIPE DUE TO LEMON LAW SUIT.

NHTSA complaint #525629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kailua, HI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE RECALL WORK DENIED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #533699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chandler, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #537521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 GMC Sonoma problems

← Full 1996 GMC Sonoma report