IllustrationTRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. NLM
1996 GMC Sonoma
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sonoma years
Owner complaints for the 1996 GMC Sonoma are substantially higher than the model-year median of 57.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sonoma years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 12 of 148 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
26 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
148 reportsMY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY MULTIPLE RECALLS BECAUSE IT IS NOT IN THE GMC LIST OF VEHICLES PER ITS VIN NUMBER. THIS IS, INSPITE OF THE FACT THAT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED OTHER SONOMA RECALLS. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE 1995-96 GMC JIMMYS OF WHICH THE SONOMA IS VIRTUALLY THE SAME IN THE ENGI…
Read full complaint
MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY MULTIPLE RECALLS BECAUSE IT IS NOT IN THE GMC LIST OF VEHICLES PER ITS VIN NUMBER. THIS IS, INSPITE OF THE FACT THAT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED OTHER SONOMA RECALLS. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE 1995-96 GMC JIMMYS OF WHICH THE SONOMA IS VIRTUALLY THE SAME IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. GMC AS WELL AS THE DEALER HAVE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH INFORMATION FROM THIS SITE WAS PRESENTED TO BOTH THE GMC. DEALER AND THE GMC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER. I WAS TOLD BY THE ASSISTANCE CENTER THAT I SHOULD HAVE IT FIXED AS IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT NOW THEY ARE ON RECORD AS STATING THAT THEY RECOMMENDED HAVING IT REPAIRED. BUT THEY REFUSED TO INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE IN THE GENERAL RECALL. *AK
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO A PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED REPORT FOR ABS FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE INCIDENT DATE ON THIS REPORT IS APPROXIMATE. THE TWO WIRES TO THE RIGHT FRONT ABS SENSOR WERE SEVERED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND THE DISK BRAKE BACK PLATE/SPLASH SHIELD, TO WHICH THE WIRING IS ATTACHED WITH RIVETED METAL…
Read full complaint
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO A PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED REPORT FOR ABS FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE INCIDENT DATE ON THIS REPORT IS APPROXIMATE. THE TWO WIRES TO THE RIGHT FRONT ABS SENSOR WERE SEVERED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND THE DISK BRAKE BACK PLATE/SPLASH SHIELD, TO WHICH THE WIRING IS ATTACHED WITH RIVETED METAL CLIPS. IT APPEARS THAT THE WIRES BECAME TRAPPED BETWEEN THE UPPER CONTROL ARM STAMPING AND THE HUB AND/OR DISK BRAKE BACK PLATE/SPLASH SHIELD, POSSIBLY DURING TURNS THAT CYCLED THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE WIRING INSULATION IS WORN IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS OTHER THAN THE BREAK POINT, AND THE FIRST METAL CLIP HAS BEEN TORN OFF THE POP RIVET THAT HOLDS IT TO THE BACKPLATE/SPLASH SHIELD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS WIRING HAS FAILED DUE TO THIS DESIGN OR INSTALLATION DEFECT. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AT THIS TIME AS WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR RECALL INFORMATION FROM GM, WHICH ARRIVED RECENTLY, BUT IT ADDRESSED AN ABS PROGRAMMING PROBLEM THAT AFFECTED BRAKING ON SURFACES THAT TRANSITIONED FROM WET TO DRY AND BACK. *AK
WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINE ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE INCLUDING THE IDLE STICKING/INTERIOR MOULDING CRACKING/TRANSMISSION REBUILT/COMPUTER REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT TURN OFF, AND RIGHT SIDE BRAKE DOES NOT SEEM TO WEAR PROPERLY.. MY HUSBAND IS ABLE TO RECALL MORE.…
Read full complaint
WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINE ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE INCLUDING THE IDLE STICKING/INTERIOR MOULDING CRACKING/TRANSMISSION REBUILT/COMPUTER REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT TURN OFF, AND RIGHT SIDE BRAKE DOES NOT SEEM TO WEAR PROPERLY.. MY HUSBAND IS ABLE TO RECALL MORE. *AK
BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED,, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE TH CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL NOT START DUE TO A FAULTY COMPUTER SYSTEM. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS MOTOR FAILED WHILE ON THE ROAD. YH
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE & STOPPED QUICKLY. COULD FEEL IT & HEAR IT TRYING TO KICK IN. FELT LIKE VEHCLE WAS ON ICE. DID NOT STOP RIGHT AWAY. WENT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION & THROUGH A RED LIGHT. FINALLY, GOT IT TO STOP. CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT ABS, RECALL CAMPAIGN , BUT DEALER COULD NOT OFFER ANYTHING. *AK
BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED. THIS FAILURE CAUSES UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING AND GREATLY INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCES. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY OR UNDER "GOODWILL" ASSIST. THIS IS PREMATURE FAILURE OF A MAJOR SAFETY COMPONENT.
WHEN I TRY TO STOP I LOOSE MY BREAKS..THERE IS A RECALL BUT HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205/175R15 )
Official recalls
699V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Jul 19, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
98V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Jul 1, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
97V146001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 11, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L ENGINES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ENGINE OIL PAN CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF BRAKE FLUID LOSS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LOSS CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND THE BRAKE LINE. IF THE CLEARANCE IS 6MM OR LESS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE CLIP AND IF THERE WAS CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND BRAKE LINE, THE FRONT BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.
97V096001 · Seat Belts
Jun 12, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
97V008001 · Visibility:windshield
Jan 27, 1997
THE TOP COAT PAINT SEVERELY PEELS DUE TO OVERBAKING OF THE POWDER PRIMER PRIOR TO THE TOP COAT APPLICATION. SINCE THE WINDSHIELD PRIMER AND ADHESIVE ADHERE TO THE TOP COAT PAINT ONTHE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGE, THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT STAY IN PLACE AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 212.
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100%.
96V035000 · Power Train:manual Transmission
Feb 22, 1996
SOME OF THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH TRANSMISSIONS CONTAINING PARTS WHICH WERE NOT MACHINED TO GM'S SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION MAIN SHAFT OUTPUT TORQUE USING A SPECIAL TOOL. IF THE OUTPUT TORQUE DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.