1998 GMC Sonoma

◆ Worse than typical

1998 GMC Sonoma
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:32:46.439Z

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 PER YEAR

1998: 156 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1984	1
1990	1
1991	29
1992	25
1993	58
1994	227
1995	214
1996	148
1997	111
1998	156
1999	57
2000	136
2001	89
2002	57
2003	39
2004	0
2005	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

VISIBILITY 36%

36% of complaints: visibility — 56 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and motor.

SEATS 20%

20% of complaints: seats — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing recliner and mid/rear assembly.

SERVICE BRAKES 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY

STRUCTURE 10%

10% of complaints: structure — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hinge and attachments and door.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120712

Also filed under AIR BAGS and STEERING

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020920

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, SHUTTING DOWN COMPLETELY WITH NO POWER. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT A PUMP FOR TRANSMISSION WASN'T FUNCTIONING, TRANSMISSION BURNED UP INTERNALLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020916

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19971114 — electrical system

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THE DEALER AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED TO THEM UNTIL THE DEALER CAN REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS.

Campaign 97V208001 — check if this car was fixed

R 19971215 — service brakes, hydraulic

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.

Campaign 97V218000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 156

R 20000913 — exterior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.

Campaign 00V220000 — check if this car was fixed

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