1996 GMC Sonoma
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.
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
23% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 34 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING THE FOUR WHEEL ABS BRAKE DID NOT WORK AND THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19960222
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE, PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19960220
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE, PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19960220
11% of complaints: visibility — 17 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: visibility — 10 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow 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. *TT
NHTSA ODI report, 20021030
7% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 9 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 96V035000 — check if this car was fixed
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 OPEN
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100%.
Campaign 97V008001 — check if this car was fixed
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
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 PO
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 OIL
Campaign 97V146001 — check if this car was fixed
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 INTERMI
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
Campaign 98V150001 — 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 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
1996 GMC Sonoma — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (34 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (17 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96V035000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V008001 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V096001 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V146001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V150001 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99I006000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V193000 (service brakes, hydraulic) 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 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, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Sonoma have?
9 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.