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GMC SonomaYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 1,343 NHTSA owner complaints across 15 model years, the GMC Sonoma years to avoid are 1995, and the strongest years are 1991, 1992, 2002 and 2003. The Sonoma has 15 safety recalls on record.

GMC Sonoma
Years to avoid'95Use caution: 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000Best years'91 '92 '02 '03Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints1,343Top: Service brakes, hydraulicSafety recalls151991–2005 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Best & worst years

GMC Sonoma years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sonoma median. Tap a year for its full report.

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2005Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls2004Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2003Best70/10039 complaints · 1 recall2002Solid63/10057 complaints · 0 recalls2001Solid50/10089 complaints · 1 recall2000Caution39/100136 complaints · 3 recalls1999Solid59/10057 complaints · 0 recalls1998Caution39/100156 complaints · 3 recalls1997Solid42/100111 complaints · 2 recalls1996Caution35/100148 complaints · 6 recalls1995Avoid28/100213 complaints · 3 recalls1994Caution30/100224 complaints · 2 recalls1993Solid57/10058 complaints · 2 recalls1992Best78/10025 complaints · 1 recall1991Best73/10029 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common GMC Sonoma problems

All model years combined: 1,343 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic43983
Visibility2335
Structure12110
Engine and engine cooling1115
Power train1004
Seats748
Electrical system7011
Air bags6653
Vehicle speed control535
16 other systems32119
15 recalls

GMC Sonoma recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Other: labels04V-132 · 2003–2004 · Mar 18, 2004 · 183,922 vehicles–Other: labels00V-258 · 2000 · Sep 8, 2000 · 223,194 vehicles–Exterior lighting00V-220 · 1998 · Aug 11, 2000 · 14,279 vehicles–Seat belts00V-228 · 2001 · Aug 7, 2000 · 156,305 vehicles–Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip00V-055 · 2000 · Feb 28, 2000 · 10,674 vehicles–Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip99V-220 · 2000 · Aug 11, 1999 · 3,947 vehicles–Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip99V-193 · 1991–1996 · Jul 19, 1999 · 1,125,749 vehicles–Visibility: windshield wiper/washer98V-150 · 1995–1996 · Jul 1, 1998 · 1,557,585 vehicles–Wiring: front underhood97V-208 · 1998 · Nov 25, 1997 · 33,973 vehicles–Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings97V-218 · 1998 · Nov 24, 1997 · 19,716 vehicles–Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings97V-146 · 1996–1997 · Sep 11, 1997 · 146,167 vehicles–Seat belts97V-096 · 1994–1997 · Jun 12, 1997 · 586,058 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 15 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

7 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Sonoma

  1. TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLESEA05008 · 2004 · closed May 19, 2006
    No recall
  2. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLYRQ04002 · 1997 · closed May 27, 2004
    No recall
  3. ENGINE STALL DUE TO FUEL STARVATIONPE02066 · 2000–2001 · closed Nov 3, 2003
    No recall
  4. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREEA97022 · 1995 · closed Jul 2, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-150
  5. WINDSHIELD WIPERPE97028 · 1995 · closed Oct 23, 1997
    No recall
  6. ABS BRAKING SYSTEMEA94038 · 1997 · closed Feb 28, 2000
    Led to recall 99I006000
  7. ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILSPE94046 · 1991–1994 · closed Oct 31, 1994
    No recall