MYRModel Year Report

1997 GMC Sonoma

● Typical for this model
1997 GMC Sonoma
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:51:54.931Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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
111
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

40% 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 1995 1996: 148 complaints 1997: 111 complaints 1997 111 1998: 156 complaints 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 1997: 111 complaints 1997 111 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 1997: 111 complaints 1997 111 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

1997: 111 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

40% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Visibility

28% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

Show complaint excerpts

While driving in a rain storm, the windshield wipers failed to operate properly after being turned on. Sometimes the wipers would not come on but the motor would still be running. The problem is intermittent and has been taken to the dealership.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-08

Power train

9% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states that while drivng and trying to change gears the RPM will rev up. Contacted dealer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-04

Air bags

9% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Airbag did not deploy in a wreck. Truck was totaled with major damage to right front.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-03-16

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1994-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 2000-02-28 ABS braking system
  2. 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 →

  3. 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 →

  4. I
    2004-02-18Recall queryClosed 2004-05-27 Driver's seat belt buckle assembly
  5. 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

1997 GMC Sonoma — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 44 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V096001 · Seat belts
  • Recall 97V146001 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • 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 1997 GMC Sonoma reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 GMC Sonoma is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GMC Sonoma?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Sonoma have?
3 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.