FaultScore

GMC Sonoma window and wiper problems

240 of the 1,739 complaints filed about the GMC Sonoma are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 14% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1994.

240

Complaints

14%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year

1993 Sonoma 2 0.8%
1994 Sonoma 56 23.3%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

1995 Sonoma 54 22.5%

Median failure at 79,000 miles

1996 Sonoma 31 12.9%

Median failure at 67,500 miles

1997 Sonoma 31 12.9%

Median failure at 58,500 miles

1998 Sonoma 56 23.3%

Median failure at 52,500 miles

1999 Sonoma 1 0.4%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2000 Sonoma 5 2.1%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2002 Sonoma 1 0.4%

Median failure at 7,400 miles

2003 Sonoma 3 1.3%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

What owners said

1998 GMC Sonoma at 50,000 miles Jacksonville, 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.

2003 GMC Sonoma at 50,000 miles Willimantic, CT

VISIBILITY

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP OPERATING UNEXPECTEDLY. THEY WILL THEN BEGIN OPERATING AGAIN AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR PERIOD OF TIME. RECENTLY IN EARLY APRIL 2011 AT ABOUT 91,000 MILES. THEY STOPPED WORKING SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE TRUCK BEFORE LEAVING THE PARKING LOT.

NHTSA complaint #10397873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 GMC Sonoma 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.

1998 GMC Sonoma at 10,000 miles Waukesha, 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.

1998 GMC Sonoma at 50,000 miles Brundidge, 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.

1997 GMC Sonoma at 100,000 miles Grass Valley, CA

VISIBILITY

I HAVE ENCOUNTERED TROUBLE WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEY GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I AM ASSUMING THE PROBLEM IS THE PULSE WIPER RELAY, AND WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PRODUCT. I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN WHEN THIS OCCURRED, AND THERE WAS NEARLY A COLLISION. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PART. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10250196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 GMC Sonoma at 100,000 miles Swartz Creek, MI

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED A NEW HAVAC CONTROL HEAD, THREE MODE ACTUATORS, AND THE STORAGE TANK AND SWITCH LINE NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED OUT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 12/17/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/18/08.

NHTSA complaint #10249432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 GMC Sonoma at 42,000 miles Clarkston, 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.

1995 GMC Sonoma at 79,000 miles Dallas, TX

VISIBILITY

I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 1995 GMC WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY,AND ONE DAY,ON MY FIRST DAY BACK TO WORK AS A TEACHER,IT RAINED HORRIBLY AND THE WIPERS WOULDN'T WORK. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO FIRESTONE TO GET THEM FIXED. NOW I READ THERE WAS A RECALL AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFO. AND HAVE LIVED AT THE SAME PLACE FOR 18YRS.. SEWELL MOTORS IN DALLAS,TX SOLD ME THE VEHICLE IN 1995.

NHTSA complaint #10230200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 GMC Sonoma Raleigh, NC

VISIBILITY

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP WORKING WITHOUT NOTICE.

NHTSA complaint #10228116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 GMC Sonoma at 120,000 miles Darien, NY

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SONOMA. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING WHILE IN USE. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE WIPERS CAN TAKE 30 SECONDS TO ACTIVATE AGAIN, BUT OTHER TIMES, THE CONTACT HAS TO WIGGLE AND MOVE THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT NO RECALL WAS AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THEY BEGAN RECALLING THE 1995 MODELS. THE WIPERS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10220007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 GMC Sonoma Lancaster, OH

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHILE DRIVING, THE WIPERS CAN STOP CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF VISIBILITY.

NHTSA complaint #10217786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 GMC Sonoma at 50,000 miles Edgewater, 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.

1998 GMC Sonoma 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.

1998 GMC Sonoma at 40,000 miles Reading, 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.

1998 GMC Sonoma at 90,000 miles Gainesville, GA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

HAD A PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING OR WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. I FOUND PROBLEM TO BE THE ELECTRICAL PLUG ON WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD TO HAVE FRACTURED SOLDIER CONNECTIONS. RESOLDIER CONNECTIONS CURE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10188337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 GMC Sonoma Prague, OK

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

AT FIRST INSTANCE OF FAILURE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD INTERMITENTLY STOP WORKING. IT HAS NOW PROGRESSED TO TOTAL FAILURE. GOT UNDER HOOD AND TRACED TO WIRING PLUG IN AT WIPER MOTOR. IF PLUG IS JIGGLED THE WIPERS WILL WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN DURING POSSIBLE RAIN CONDITIONS DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS FROM A DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10186144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 GMC Sonoma at 70,000 miles Oshawa, 00

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS IN MY 2000 GMC SONOMA HAVE SEAT POSITIONING CONTROLS AND LOCKING MECHANISIMS THAT DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK PROPERLY AND/OR GET JAMMED UP AND HAVE BROKEN. A FRIEND WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE TO KEEP IT FROM SLIDING FORWARD. I ADJUSTED THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE TO HELP 'REALIGN' THE SEAT FRAME SO THAT THE MECHANISM THAT KEEPS THE SEAT FROM SIDING FRONT AND BACK WOULD KEEP THE SEAT LOCKED INTO POSITION ONCE THE SEATING DISTANCE IS SET. ALSO, THE RECLINING HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF, NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK SUPPORT ANGLE ADJUSTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK SUPPORT ADJUSTMENT LEVER OFTEN 'STICKS' OR 'LOCKS' INTO POSITION....NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK REST ADJUSTMENT. REAR DIFFERENTIAL SOMETIMES LOCKS UP AND OR SLIPS AND SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE...ESPECIALLY WHEN SIDEWAYS FORCE IS APPLIED...SUCH AS WHEN TURNING IN A CURVE OR CIRCULAR FASHION WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BROKE ON THE TRUCK. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BEARING HAD EXCESS WEAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 65 000 KM. DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER ARM GOT DISLODGED FROM THE SHAFT THAT TURNS IT AND WAS KNOCKED OUT OF POSITION ON 2 OCCASIONS. POWER STEERING FAILS FOR SHORT INTERMITTENT PERIODS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED FROM A 'COLD' AND 'WARM' STATE AND THE STEERING BECOMES STIFFER AND LESS RESPONSIVE. MOST NOTICABLE AT SLOWER VEHICLE SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10185417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 GMC Sonoma at 85,000 miles Dayton, OH

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED CONCERNING A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER MOTOR. THE BULLETIN HAS A PRODUCT RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN TOLD BY GMC THAT THE CAR WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL\ DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL EITHER STAY UP IN THE AIR, WON'T WORK AT ALL, OR SHUT OFF BY THEMSELVES. THE LAST INCIDENT WAS ON DECEMBER 26, 2006. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN IN JULY 2006. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY GAVE HER A SERVICE REQUEST NO. 71-463971283, AND THEN THE DEALER DENIED IT.

NHTSA complaint #10177343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 GMC Sonoma at 78,000 miles Vacaville, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON A RAIN DAY, THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AT HIGH SPEED. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, AND SOMETIMES DID NOT WORK AT ALL. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SEEN BY A DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10171288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other GMC Sonoma problems