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1993 GMC SonomaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 58 owner complaints about the 1993 GMC Sonoma, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

57
CarFlaw IndexSolid year25% below the Sonoma median · #8 of 13 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints5814 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem31Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 19, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1993 GMC Sonoma has problems

58 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, hydraulic315
Power train71
Engine and engine cooling70
Electrical system53
Vehicle speed control42
Seats32
Visibility20
Steering20
Suspension20
4 other systems41

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1993 GMC Sonoma recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 99V-193 · Jul 19, 1999 · 1,125,749 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 94V-093 · May 16, 1994 · 72,664 vehicles

Risk. UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND INJURY TO PERSONS IN THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Best & worst years

1993 vs. every other Sonoma year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sonoma median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1993 GMC Sonoma safety ratings

1993 GMC Sonoma in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1993 GMC Sonoma, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILSPE94046 · closed Oct 31, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sonoma owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ABS BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE. WOULD FADE OUT, AND STOPPING DISTANCE HAS BEEN INCREASED. VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED IN REVERSE. WHEN IN DRIVE POSITION WOULD RAMBLE & LOSE POWER. ALSO, THERE ARE DEFECTIVE VALVES IN ENGINE. ALSO DEFECTIVE DRIVESHAFT RUBBER…
Complaint 853605 · Dec 2, 1999
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOORBOARD, AND THE ABS DIDN'T WORK. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. *AK
Complaint 847720 · Sep 14, 1999
BRAKE FLUID IS RUNNING OUT OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS COST IS PAID BY THE CONSUMER. *AK
Complaint 826406 · Aug 7, 1998

Own a 1993 Sonoma?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.