Owners have filed 202 complaints
about the 1998 GMC Sonoma with NHTSA between 1998 and 2017.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 11 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 67
Against the median year of the GMC Sonoma. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 49
9.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 23
14% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
11.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
34.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1418.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2533.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1317.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1114.9%
150,000+ miles
79.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1998peak 9Apr 2017
Recalls on the 1998 GMC Sonoma
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200126363,484 units in Canada
Electrical
Certain vehicles: Light duty trucks. passenger vehicles and sport utility vehicles. Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of C.M.V.S.S. NO. 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW, PARTITION & ROOF PANEL SYSTEMS." When the hazard flasher switch is used to turn the hazard flashers on or off, the retained accessory power (RAP) feature can be activated without a key in the ignition. Correction: There is no detrimental effect on vehicle safety so no corrective action is necessary.
Recall 1997217404 units in Canada
Brakes
Certain vehicles may exhibit a fatigue fracture of the rear axle, right-hand brake pipe. Should the pipe crack a slow brake fluid leak would result causing a soft pedal and an eventual decrease in rear braking capability. Should the pipe break there would be a sudden drop in the brake pedal and a loss of rear brake performance. Correction: A brake pipe bracket will be installed on affected vehicles.
Recall 1997201775 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, the engine wiring harness clip could melt and drip onto the exhaust manifold. The clip material on the exhaust manifold could ignite and subsequently ignite other combustible components in the immediate vicinity resulting in a vehicle fire without prior warning. Correction: Electrical wiring harness will be rerouted.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 145,000 milesMcdonough, GACrash
AIR BAGS
DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA HIT THE STOPPED TRUCK AND TOTALED THE SONOMA. AT NO POINT DID THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10465485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesMcdonough, GACrash
STEERING
DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA HIT THE STOPPED TRUCK AND TOTALED THE SONOMA. AT NO POINT DID THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10465485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesMcdonough, GACrash
SUSPENSION
DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA HIT THE STOPPED TRUCK AND TOTALED THE SONOMA. AT NO POINT DID THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10465485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesMcdonough, GACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA HIT THE STOPPED TRUCK AND TOTALED THE SONOMA. AT NO POINT DID THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10465485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centerville, MSCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE SON WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH AND WHEN TRYING TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, CRASHED VEHICLE INTO A DIVIDER WALL , AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #859770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A LEFT FRONT HEAD-ON COLLISION IN WHICH BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #855750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 80,000 milesLittleton, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ALL ELECTRICAL SHUTS DOWN ENGINE , EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10971849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 264,477 milesWoodland, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SONOMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 264,477.
NHTSA complaint #10854848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 178,000 milesDetroit, MI
SEATS
PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. PASSENGERS SEAT SLIDE FORWARD AND BACKWARD , AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON , LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT AND BRAKE DON'T COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10514690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 178,000 milesDetroit, MI
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. PASSENGERS SEAT SLIDE FORWARD AND BACKWARD , AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON , LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT AND BRAKE DON'T COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10514690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 178,000 milesDetroit, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. PASSENGERS SEAT SLIDE FORWARD AND BACKWARD , AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON , LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT AND BRAKE DON'T COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10514690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,700 milesMontevideo, MN
TIRES
I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HWY, DRIVING BETWEEN 35-60 MPH BECAUSE OF ICY, SNOWY, SLUSHY, 35 MPH WINDY CONDITIONS. MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING CRAZILY AND MY TRUCK KEPT WANTING TO PULL ITSELF TO THE LEFT. I FELT BUMPING EVERY TIME THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL MADE A REVOLUTION. WITH 1 1/2 HOURS OF DRIVING TIME LEFT I KEPT HOPING I WOULD MAKE IT HOME SAFELY, WHICH I DID. I TOOK MY TRUCK IN THE NEXT DAY ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME ALL FOUR TIRES OF MINE WERE SHOT - CORDS IN TWO TIRES SNAPPED, AND BUBBLING AND THREAD/TREADWEAR IN THE OTHER TWO. GRANTED, I HAD THE TIRES FOR 7 YEARS. HOWEVER, THEY WERE 70,000 MILES TIRES THAT LASTED 31,000 MILES. PREMATURE TREADWEAR WAS EVIDENT AFTER DRIVING THE FIRST 10,000 MILES AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I MAINTAINED REGULAR TIRE ROTATION SCHEDULE THROUGHOUT. NOT ONE TIME DID MY MECHANIC MENTION ANY PROBLEMS, EVEN WHEN ASKED. KUMHO 205/75 TIRES ARE CRAP, THEY ARE GOING TO KILL SOMEBODY AND THE COMPANY KNOWS IT. DO MINIMAL RESEARCH AND YOU'LL DISCOVER THIS YOURSELF. TIRE PLACES WHO DON'T KNOW THIS HAVEN'T DONE ENOUGH RESEARCH OR DON'T CARE. IS THAT WHO YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS FROM? NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT ALL FOUR TIRES OF MINE NEEDED REPLACING AT THE SAME TIME. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO THE ONES WHO HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THESE TIRES, THEY BLAMED ME - 7 YEARS IS TOO LONG, DIDN'T ROTATE TIRES ENOUGH, DIDN'T INSPECT THEM MYSELF EVERY TIME I HOPPED IN MY TRUCK, MY TRUCK SAT TOO LONG WITHOUT BE DRIVEN, ALIGNMENTS NOT DONE EVERY YEAR, NOBODY HAS EVER COMPLAINED ABOUT KUMHO TIRES (BIG FAT LIE!), THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALLS (BIGGER, FATTEST LIE), BLAH BLAH BLAH! SOUNDS LIKE A CONSPIRACY TO ME. GET KUMHO TIRES OFF THE SHELVES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!
NHTSA complaint #10499393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesMcdonough, GACrash
AIR BAGS
DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA HIT THE STOPPED TRUCK AND TOTALED THE SONOMA. AT NO POINT DID THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10465485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesMcdonough, GACrash
STEERING
DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA HIT THE STOPPED TRUCK AND TOTALED THE SONOMA. AT NO POINT DID THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10465485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesMcdonough, GACrash
SUSPENSION
DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA HIT THE STOPPED TRUCK AND TOTALED THE SONOMA. AT NO POINT DID THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10465485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesMcdonough, GACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA HIT THE STOPPED TRUCK AND TOTALED THE SONOMA. AT NO POINT DID THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10465485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesJacksonville, IL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. ..UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS PERIODICALLY STOPPED WORKING IN THE RAIN. UPDATED 09/28/11
NHTSA complaint #10416282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesDamascus, VA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUSTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE FRAME TO SEPARATE INTO TWO PIECES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000...UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 10/05/11
NHTSA complaint #10413294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesSalt Lake City, UT
TIRES
I LOST THE TREAD ON ONE OF MY TOYO TIRES AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. IT COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE! IT WAS THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND CALL FOR HELP. I'VE ALREADY HAD IT REPLACED BUT THE DEALER I WENT TO (DISCOUNT TIRES) WHERE I PURCHASED THE DEFECTIVE ONE TOLD ME THEY ARE GOOD TIRES AND CONVINCED ME TO BUY ANOTHER TOYO. NOW I'M WORRIED.
NHTSA complaint #10383358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dodge City, KS
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE ONLY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY WHENEVER THEY ARE RUN. IN THE HEAVIEST RAIN YOU CANNOT COUNT ON THEM AND SOMETIMES THEY WON'T COME ON AT ALL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHEN THEY QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAIN. THEY HAVE NOT MADE IT A WHOLE TRIP IN THE RAIN AND STAYED WORKING- ALWAYS ONLY INTERMITTENT. SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO PULL OVER UNTIL THEY DECIDE TO COME ON AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10317852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,500 milesSmithville, WV
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE NOT HAD ANY WRECKS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, YET. MY TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK PROPERLY ONE OF MY LOW BEEN HEADLIGHTS KEEPS BLOWING AND MY TAILLIGHTS DON'T WORK. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS JUST FOR THEM TO BLOW WHEN I TEST THEM. AND NO I DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS ON THE HEADLIGHTS. I SEEN THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LIGHTING SYSTEM AND ON THE WIRING SYSTEM, COULD THIS BE MY PROBLEM?
NHTSA complaint #10283041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,500 milesSmithville, WV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE NOT HAD ANY WRECKS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, YET. MY TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK PROPERLY ONE OF MY LOW BEEN HEADLIGHTS KEEPS BLOWING AND MY TAILLIGHTS DON'T WORK. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS JUST FOR THEM TO BLOW WHEN I TEST THEM. AND NO I DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS ON THE HEADLIGHTS. I SEEN THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LIGHTING SYSTEM AND ON THE WIRING SYSTEM, COULD THIS BE MY PROBLEM?
NHTSA complaint #10283041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesWaukesha, WI
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SONOMA. IN MARCH OF 1998, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WIPER MODULE AND WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD FOR THEM TO BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10253213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesBrundidge, AL
VISIBILITY
MY TRUCK HAS 70,000 MILES AND IT HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. YOU CAN HIT ON THE INSIDE OF THE MOTOR AND IT WILL START WORKING. I CAN BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WILL QUIT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10251888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesClarkston, MI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER INITIALLY STATED THAT THEY WOULD APPROVE THE REPAIR; HOWEVER, THEY ARE CURRENTLY REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, WIPER/WASHER) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 09/13/08. *LJ THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TWICE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR BOARD. UPDATED 09/17/08.
NHTSA complaint #10236372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP WORKING WITHOUT NOTICE.
NHTSA complaint #10228116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesEdgewater, MD
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER INTERMITTENT. CAN CAUSE SEVERE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS DURING BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, ALMOST RESULTING INTO A CRASH WHEN TRYING TO EXIT ROADWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10207812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesEdgewater, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
TAILGATE CABLES RUSTED, AND BROKE. SEVERAL OTHER GMC PICK UPS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND WAS UNDER RECALL. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WHY NOT A RECALL ITEM. THIS IS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE WHEN HAULING ITEMS WITH TAILGATE DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10207813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coppell, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE ON OCCASION DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. RECALL ISSUED FOR OTHER GM VEHICLES CITING PROBLEM CIRCUIT CONTROL BOARDS TO WIPER MOTORS. VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS AND WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10199988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesReading, MI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE ON OCCASION DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. RECALL ISSUED FOR OTHER GM VEHICLES CITING PROBLEM CIRCUIT CONTROL BOARDS TO WIPER MOTORS. VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS AND WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10199292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT RECLINING LEVERS BROKEN. THIRD DOOR HANDLE BROKEN. THIRD DOOR HANDLE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. SEAT LEVERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT DIDN'T LAST. CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS PERMANENTLY?
NHTSA complaint #10197141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.