MYRModel Year Report

1996 GMC Sonoma

◆ Worse than typical
1996 GMC Sonoma
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:41:07.918Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
148
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Service brakes

38% 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 1995: 214 complaints 1996: 148 complaints 1996 148 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 1995: 214 complaints 1995 1996: 148 complaints 1996 148 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 1995: 214 complaints 1995 1996: 148 complaints 1996 148 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

1996: 148 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

38% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Visibility

21% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer stated that while driving and with no warning the windshield wiper worked intermittently. Dealer notified. Ts possible electrical failure caused wipers to fail mostly during rainy weather.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-30

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE

Power train

11% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY

Air bags

7% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer loss control of the vehicle and hit a tree, and the airbags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-13

Vehicle involved in frontal collision, none of the air bags deployed. *mrconsumer called GM and they informed consumer that from the description of the accident the air bags would not have deplyed because it wasn't a frontal collision.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-04

The air bag light stays on. It turns off sometimes for about 5 minutes or fewer minutes. No repair shop can determine how to repair this issue. When the air bag light is on the air bag would not operate that's what I have read.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-08

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 148 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1996-02-16Power train96V035000 Some of these trucks were built with transmissions containing parts which were not machined to GM's specifications.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission main shaft output torque using a special tool. If the output torque does not meet specifications, the transmission will be replaced.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1997-01-30Visibility97V008001 The top coat paint severely peels due to overbaking of the powder primer prior to the top coat application. Since the windshield primer and adhesive adhere to the top coat paint onthe windshield…

    Remedy: All vehicles have been repurchased. This campaign is 100%.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. 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 →

  5. R
    1997-10-20Service brakes, hydraulic97V146001 Vehicle description: light duty passenger pickup trucks equipped with 4.3L engines. The front brake line can contact the left-hand side of the engine oil pan causing the brake line to wear to the…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the clearance between the oil pan and the brake line. If the clearance is 6MM or less, dealers will install an additional brake line clip and if there was contact between the…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    1998-12-15Visibility98V150001 Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. 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 →

  8. 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 →

  9. 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 →

  10. 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

1996 GMC Sonoma — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 56 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V035000 · Power train
  • Recall 97V008001 · Visibility
  • Recall 97V096001 · Seat belts
  • Recall 97V146001 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 98V150001 · Visibility
  • Recall 99I006000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 99V193000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • 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 1996 GMC Sonoma reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 GMC Sonoma is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC Sonoma?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Sonoma have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.