MYRModel Year Report

1997 GMC Sonoma

● Typical for this model
1997 GMC Sonoma
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:34:38.416Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Sonoma Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1990: 1 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 25 complaints 1992 1993: 58 complaints 1994: 227 complaints 1995: 214 complaints 1995 1996: 148 complaints 1997: 111 complaints 1997 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 complaints 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%

40% of complaints: service brakes — 44 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
VISIBILITY 28%

28% of complaints: visibility — 31 distinct reports on file, 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, 20021008

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file, 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. *MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20021004

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A WRECK. TRUCK WAS TOTALED WITH MAJOR DAMAGE TO RIGHT FRONT. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20040316

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19941031 — EA (closed 20000228)

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM

R 19970922 — seat belts

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

R 19971020 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

I 20040218 — RQ (closed 20040527)

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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

1997 GMC Sonoma — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (31 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V096001 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V146001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2003 ▲ 2002 ▲ 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 1994 ■ 1995 ◆ 1998

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.