MYRModel Year Report

1994 GMC Sonoma

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1994 GMC Sonoma
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
227
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1994

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

65% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

1994: 227 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19901
199129
199225
199358
1994227
1995214
1996148
1997111
1998156
199957
2000136
200189
200257
200339
20040
20051

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

65% · 148 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Visibility

24% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and motor.

CRASHINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

7% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

Vehicle speed control

5% · 12 reports

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, 2007-02-19

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, 2020-12-25

Power train

5% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1994Complaint volume 227 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1994-06-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-10-31 ABS braking system fails
  3. R
    1997-09-22Seat belts97V096001 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.…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1999-12-10Service brakes, hydraulic99I006000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2000-05-31Service brakes, hydraulic99V193000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-05-04Fuel system, gasoline06E041000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1994 GMC Sonoma — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 148 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 17 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V096001 · Seat belts
  • Recall 99I006000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 99V193000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06E041000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.