1994 GMC Sonoma

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1994 GMC Sonoma
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1994: 227 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1984	1
1990	1
1991	29
1992	25
1993	58
1994	227
1995	214
1996	148
1997	111
1998	156
1999	57
2000	136
2001	89
2002	57
2003	39
2004	0
2005	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 65%

65% of complaints: service brakes — 148 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

VISIBILITY 24%

24% of complaints: visibility — 55 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and motor.

CRASH INJURY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT (GOING APPROX 20 MPH) WHEN THE THROTTLE STUCK AND QUICKLY SURGED TO RED LINE. I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TACHOMETER WAS PEGGED OUT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070219

DRIVING MY 1994 SONOMA AT APPROX 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE GAS PEDAL STARTED TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY FOOT AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN (AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TAKING OVER).

NHTSA ODI report, 20201225

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1994 — complaint volume: 227

I 19940617 — PE (closed 19941031)

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS

R 19970922 — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Campaign 97V096001 — check if this car was fixed

R 19991210 — service brakes, hydraulic

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH OPERATES THE ABS UNIT ON SOME VEHICLES, OR REPLACE THE COMPUTER ON OTHERS TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ABS ON THESE SURFACES.

Campaign 99I006000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20000531 — service brakes, hydraulic

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN D

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.

Campaign 99V193000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060504 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN R&B, INC. CENTRAL MULTIPORT FUEL INJECTION (CMFI) FUEL RETURN LINES, MODELS HELP 55163, NAPA BALKAMP 700-3270, AND THE CONNECTION 2560001, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLE

Remedy: R&B, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AT THE CUSTOMERS REQUEST, EITHER REPLACE THE FUEL LINE OR OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT R&B, INC. AT 215-712-5330.

Campaign 06E041000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURE

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNI

Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1994 GMC Sonoma — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for service brakes issues (148 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for visibility issues (55 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (17 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 97V096001 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 99I006000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Verify recall 99V193000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E041000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2003 ▲ 2002 ▲ 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ◆ 1998 ◆ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1994 GMC Sonoma reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 GMC Sonoma is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1994 GMC Sonoma?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 65% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1994 GMC Sonoma have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.