1994 GMC Sonoma
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 29 |
| 1992 | 25 |
| 1993 | 58 |
| 1994 | 224 |
| 1995 | 213 |
| 1996 | 148 |
| 1997 | 111 |
| 1998 | 156 |
| 1999 | 57 |
| 2000 | 136 |
| 2001 | 89 |
| 2002 | 57 |
| 2003 | 39 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
50% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 111 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THEH VEHICLE TO SLIDE INTO A FENCE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE.*JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030210
ABS BRAKING PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19951108
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN AND IT UNEXPECTENLY AND THE VEHICLE WHILE SLID AND SKID. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19950714
12% of complaints: visibility — 26 distinct reports on file.
10% of complaints: visibility — 22 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow 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
4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 10 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS
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
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
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
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
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
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, hydraulic issues (111 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (22 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
WORST 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, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 GMC Sonoma have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.