Menu

1996 GMC SonomaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 148 owner complaints about the 1996 GMC Sonoma, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the Sonoma median · #3 of 13 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints14831 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage102kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 8, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 GMC Sonoma has problems

148 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, hydraulic4915
Visibility312
Engine and engine cooling191
Power train162
Air bags107
Electrical system81
Vehicle speed control70
Seats62
Suspension61
11 other systems212

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

6 recalls

1996 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

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 98V-150 · Jul 1, 1998 · 1,557,585 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 97V-146 · Sep 11, 1997 · 146,167 vehicles

Risk. BRAKE FLUID LOSS CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seat belts

Recall 97V-096 · Jun 12, 1997 · 586,058 vehicles

Risk. IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Visibility: windshield

Recall 97V-008 · Jan 27, 1997 · 55 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT STAY IN PLACE AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: manual transmission

Recall 96V-035 · Feb 22, 1996 · 24,906 vehicles

Risk. THESE TRANSMISSIONS COULD SEIZE AND LOCK THE REAR DRIVE WHEELS WHILE THE TRUCK IS BEING DRIVEN CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A…

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

1996 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

1996 GMC Sonoma safety ratings

1996 GMC S-15 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
In owners' words

What Sonoma owners report

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC SONOMA. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE LINE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED…
Complaint 10197545 · Jul 26, 2007 · 104,980 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UNDER NORMAL BRAKING ON WET ROADS, THE ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE THREE SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, BUT WERE NOT CERTAIN THAT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD CORRECT…
Complaint 10173684 · Nov 16, 2006 · 98,651 miles
THE BRAKE SYSTEM LEAKED FLUID WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*JB
Complaint 10009331 · Feb 26, 2003

Own a 1996 Sonoma?

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