no report yet
Exterior lighting
Risk. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO.
1998 GMC SonomaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 156 owner complaints about the 1998 GMC Sonoma, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 11, 2017. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 GMC Sonoma has problems
156 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
55Visibility
29Seats
15Service brakes, hydraulic3 crash/fire/injury
14Structure1 crash/fire/injury
11Air bags
11Engine and engine cooling
11Power train
9Electrical system
7Suspension
3110 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 55 | 0 |
| Seats | 29 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 15 | 3 |
| Structure | 14 | 1 |
| Air bags | 11 | 8 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 2 |
| Power train | 11 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 |
| Suspension | 7 | 1 |
| 10 other systems | 31 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1998 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
Wiring: front underhood
Risk. THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
no report yet
Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Mileage at failure
When do visibility problems start?
53kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 32 visibility complaints. 91% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 38% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
3under 30k miles29under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years
1998 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
1998 GMC Sonoma safety ratings
1998 GMC Sonoma Extended Cab 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 visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE ONLY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY WHENEVER THEY ARE RUN. IN THE HEAVIEST RAIN YOU CANNOT COUNT ON THEM AND SOMETIMES THEY WON'T COME ON AT ALL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHEN THEY QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAIN. THEY HAVE NOT MADE IT A WHOLE…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC SONOMA. IN MARCH OF 1998, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WIPER…
Own a 1998 Sonoma?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.