MYRModel Year Report

1998 GMC Sonoma

◆ Worse than typical
1998 GMC Sonoma
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:33:01.557Z

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
156
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Visibility

36% 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 1998: 156 complaints 1998 156 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 1998: 156 complaints 1998 156 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 1998: 156 complaints 1998 156 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

1998: 156 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.

Visibility

36% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and motor.

Seats

20% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing recliner and mid/rear assembly.

Service brakes

10% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Structure

10% · 15 reports

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, 2012-07-12

Also filed under Air bags and steering

Power train

7% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

No summary listed for above vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-20

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-16

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1997-11-14Electrical system97V208001 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1997-12-15Service brakes, hydraulic97V218000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 156 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. R
    2000-09-13Exterior lighting00V220000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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

1998 GMC Sonoma — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Visibility: 56 reports on file for this year.
  • Seats: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 16 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V208001 · Electrical system
  • Recall 97V218000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 00V220000 · Exterior lighting
  • 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 1998 GMC Sonoma reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 GMC Sonoma is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 GMC Sonoma?
The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Sonoma have?
4 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.