44 of the
160 complaints about the 1997 GMC Sonoma are about the
braking system — 28% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
42,501 miles.
UNABLE TO STOP DUE TO BRAKE PEDAL GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR! BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE POSITIONED TOO CLOSE, AND WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS ALL THE WAY DOWN, FOOT COMES IN CONTACT WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP! THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE GMC PICKUPS, AS I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A 1991 GMC SONOMA. IN THIS CASE, I COULD HAVE AVOIDED A COLLISION, BUT COULD NOT STOP, EVEN THOUGH I HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES WITH PLENTY OF FORCE. GM SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MAJOR DEFECT, WHICH WAS NOT CORRECTED FROM AT LEAST 1991 THROUGH 1997 -- AND PROBABLY BEYOND!
NHTSA complaint #10455314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,815 milesIndianapolis, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
ON DEC.24, 2004 I WAS DRIVING MY 1997 GMC SONOMA WITH 31000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHEN I EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE TRUCK HAS ABS BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK WITHOUT OUT AN ACCIDENT BUT ONLY BY SHEER LUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10104477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,002 milesNorco, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SINCE DAY ONE OF GETTING THE TRUCK, I NOTICE THAT THE GAS TANK METER WAS BROKE. BROUGHT IT BACK IN TO THEM FOR METER PLUS THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THEY FIXED THE METER PROBLEM BUT THEY SAID NEEDED BRAKE PADS CHANGED. SO I WENT HOME CHANGED THE BRAKE PAD, ROTOR, DRUMS. WENT BACK IN EVER SINCE THEN TILL NOW FOR COOLANT, KNOCKING OF ENGINE, A/C, MAIN ENGINE SEAL GASKETS, BRACKETS, FUEL SYSTEM, MOTOR MOUNTS, BELTS, SEALS, NIPPLES, STUDS, FAN CLUTCH, PULLEYS, PLUS BRAKES ARE STILL FAILING,(WENT ON LINE FOUND OUT BRAKES ARE RECALLED THEY FAILED TO TELL ME THAT). AS FAR AS I CAN SEE THE MOTOR IS BAD. THE TRUCK HAS COST ME MONEY OUT OF POCKET, WORK TIME, AS WELL AS MY OWN ON A PERSISTENT BASIS. THE TRUCK IS JUNK.
NHTSA complaint #10071111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesNorco, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 1997 GMC SONOMA S.N. [XXX]. I HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF THINGS WRONG WITH IT. AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) WENT OUT, THE MOTOR MOUND BROKE, THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN, THE BRAKES FAIL, THE VALVES ARE TAPPING, MAIN FRONT BEARING SEAL IS LEAKING, BLINKERS ARE NOT WORKING,OIL IS LEAKING ON TOP OF ENGINE BY A/C, WATER IS LEAKING FROM HEATING COIL, WATER PUMP IS OUT NOW,GOD THAT IS ONLY SOME OF THE THINGS. I HAVE HAD IT 1YR. 7 MON. WHAT CAN I DO? I GOT THE WARRANTY. AND THANK GOD I DID. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10043608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY WOULD MAKE A LOT OF SQUEALING NOISES IN THE FRONT, CONSUMER TOOK TO DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL, FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT 20000 MILES AND ANOTHER TIME AT 32000 MILES, BRAKES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grapevine, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO STRAIGHT TO FLOOR UNDER HEAVY BRAKING IF TRAVELING ON ANY UNEVEN SURFACE. BRAKES NEED TO BE RECALIBRATED. DEALER WOULDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE RECALL. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED SINCE 1998.
NHTSA complaint #884651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington Hills, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
REAR BRAKE LINE IS ROUTED- (1) FROM MASTER CYLINDER (2) DOWN PAST DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT OF VEHICLE (3) ACROSS ROUGH BODY BRACKET. THIS CAUSES THE BRAKE LINE TO BE WORN IN 2 PLACES CAUSING LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND BRAKE FAILURE. THERE IS A USELESS PIECE OF SPRING-LIKE SHEILDING WHICH THE AFOREMENTIONED BRACKET CAN EASILY SEPARATE/SLIDE BETWEEN AND BEGIN CUTTING THE BRAKE LINE, RENDERING THE REAR BRAKES COMPLETELY DISABLED AND THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM SUSEPTABLE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF AIR IN THE LINES.
NHTSA complaint #742282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP THERE IS A DELAY IN BRAKING, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN A NEAR ACCIDENT. ALSO, NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT BRAKE. RECALL NUMBER 97V146001 REGARDING A BRAKE LINE, VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 62000 MILES. CONSUMER STATES FRONT BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED WITH HEAVY FOOT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #880151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHEN DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP THERE IS A DELAY IN BRAKING, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN A NEAR ACCIDENT. ALSO, NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT BRAKE. RECALL NUMBER 97V146001 REGARDING A BRAKE LINE, VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 62000 MILES. CONSUMER STATES FRONT BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED WITH HEAVY FOOT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #880151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easton, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN MAKING A TURN VEHICLE WILL LOSE BRAKING POWER DUE TO THE WIRE COMING FROM ABS COMPUTER AND RUNNING TO FRONT DISC BRAKES, CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #878916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edmundston N.b. Cana, 00Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND CAUSING A COLLISION. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #872660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bartlett, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
DESIGN OF 1997 GMC SOMONA HAS THE REAR BRAKE LINES RUNNING ON TOP OF THE TRUCK FRAME FROM THE CAB TO THE BED THEN ON TO EACH WHEEL. ROAD DIRT HAD ACCUMULATED ON TOP OF THE FRAME COVERING THE BRAKE LINES, CAUSING CORROSION AND A LEAK WHICH DISABLED THE BRAKING SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #727471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia B, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP. MJS
NHTSA complaint #550103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raynham, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE MAKING A NORMAL STOP BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #850533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mars, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THROTTLE FAILES TO COME TO IDLE AT STOP. STAYS AT HIGH SPEED. GROWLING FROM TRANS-CLUTCH AREA - HARD SHIFT - CLUTCH FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #848212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewisville, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SHAKES.
NHTSA complaint #849399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marshall, ARCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. RIGHT FRONT BRAKE PADS EXCESSIVELY WORN.
NHTSA complaint #849270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marshall, ARCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. RIGHT FRONT BRAKE PADS EXCESSIVELY WORN.
NHTSA complaint #849270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grandit Shaw, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLING THE ABS BRAKES ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCK UP, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #846832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Venus, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EA94038, ABS BRAKING SYSTEM: WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES UNDER NORMAL STOPPING CONDITIONS ON DRY PAVEMENT, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS STANDARD BRAKES, WHICH IS CAUSING IT ALOT HARDER THAN NORMAL TO SLOW DOWN. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA complaint #844395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canyon COU, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES ARE INADEQUATE FOR TRUCK. YH
NHTSA complaint #609929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrieta, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #605980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odessa, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CONTACTED, VEHICLE NOT UNDER WARRANTY, NO REPAIRWORK DONE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #842920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hana, HICrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
ABS BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #703403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bound Broo, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS OUT OF ROUND CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL.
NHTSA complaint #536281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Averill PA, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING CAR TO ROLL BACKWARDS BEFORE RETURNING BRAKE POWER.
NHTSA complaint #525497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Wayne, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #539522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Wayne, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #539522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westampton, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #528802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brownsvill, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ORIGINAL FACTORY TIRES SLIDE WHEN ROAD IS WET AT ANY SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #536727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.