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1998 GMC Sonoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sonoma years

Owner complaints for the 1998 GMC Sonoma are substantially higher than the model-year median of 57.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

59 reports with mileage · 97 unknown

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.

  • Visibility. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

11 reports
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59,000 miles · Feb 28, 2007
Power Train

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 GMC SONOMA PURCHASED NEW IN FEBRUARY OF 1999. VEHICLE PROPERLY MAINTAINED DRIVEN AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 7,400 MILES PER YEAR. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 4L60E TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. 59,000 MILES BEGINS TO SURGE AND SLIP. ACCELERATION IS GREATLY REDUCED WITH HARSH SHI…

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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 GMC SONOMA PURCHASED NEW IN FEBRUARY OF 1999. VEHICLE PROPERLY MAINTAINED DRIVEN AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 7,400 MILES PER YEAR. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 4L60E TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. 59,000 MILES BEGINS TO SURGE AND SLIP. ACCELERATION IS GREATLY REDUCED WITH HARSH SHIFTING. GREATLY COMPROMISING MY SAFETY. ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3100.00 GMC WILL NOT REIMBURSE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE. MY CLAIMS WERE "DENIED" BY THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10183854

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2004
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A WINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED, THEN DOWN SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER DROVE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. …

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WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A WINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED, THEN DOWN SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER DROVE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10097310

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2002
Power Train

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #767369

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2002
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, SHUTTING DOWN COMPLETELY WITH NO POWER. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT A PUMP FOR TRANSMISSION WASN'T FUNCTIONING, TRANSMISSION BURNED UP INTERNALLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8018665

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2002
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WAS NOISY AT ANY SPEED, DEALER DETERMINED A BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN TRANSMISSION. MILEAGE AT REPAIR WAS 30000. AT THIS TIME BEARING NEEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8011776

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2001
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE COMPLAINT IS ABOUT MY TRANSMISSION IN MY 1998 GMC SONOMA. ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED AS PER THE SERVICE BULLETIN. A $2,200-DOLLAR FIX. THE TRUCK IS NOT QUITE 3 YEARS OLD THOUGH I HAVE 59000 MILES ON IT. I CAN TELL YOU TH…

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THE COMPLAINT IS ABOUT MY TRANSMISSION IN MY 1998 GMC SONOMA. ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED AS PER THE SERVICE BULLETIN. A $2,200-DOLLAR FIX. THE TRUCK IS NOT QUITE 3 YEARS OLD THOUGH I HAVE 59000 MILES ON IT. I CAN TELL YOU THAT IM THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS DRIVEN THIS TRUCK AND IT HAS HAULED NO MORE THAN GROCERIES I CALLED THE CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AND GM HAS SAID THEY WOULD PAY 40 PERCENT OF THE REPAIR REF CASE NUMBER: C05710638. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THIS WAS BETTER THAN NOTHING. BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE, WARRANTY OR NOT. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. THIS IS A MAJOR PART OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE BAD THIS QUICKLY. I WILL CONTINUE TO DO ALL THE RESEARCH I CAN TO SHOW THAT THIS FAILURE IS NOT NORMAL. IF A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED THEN I THINK IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, GM HAS ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BUT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY THIS IS ALL WILL DO. *AK

NHTSA ODI #754591

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2001
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AND DROPS INTO NEUTRAL FOR 1-2 SECONDS, AND THEN GOES BACK INTO GEAR, CAUSING A REVVING IN ENGINE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN JULY 2000, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION STICKING IN GEAR. SAME DEALER CLAIMS TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE R…

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TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AND DROPS INTO NEUTRAL FOR 1-2 SECONDS, AND THEN GOES BACK INTO GEAR, CAUSING A REVVING IN ENGINE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN JULY 2000, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION STICKING IN GEAR. SAME DEALER CLAIMS TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER STATES STUCK GEAR RESULTED IN AN ENGINE BRAKE CONDITION IN A REDUCED SPEED ZONE WHERE VEHICLE SPEED IS SUDDENLY REDUCED WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS ON, CONSUMER FOUND TSB 99-07-30-005 REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND STATED THE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO REPLACE THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER THIS WAS NOT BEEN DONE UNTIL THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY FAILED WHICH CAUSED 3RD GEAR TO LOCK ON THE HIGHWAY, CONSUME RWANTS GM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #890519

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2000
Power Train

TANSMISSION PROBLEM...WHINNING, NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR/ TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE/PILOT BEARING BUSHING REPLACED/CRANK SHAFT REPLACED TWICE/ NOW REFUSES TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE ON TRUCK. HAVE PREGNANT DAUGHTER DRIVING VEHICLE CANNOT SHIFT AGAIN. THIS IS THE SEVENTH TIME I HAVE TAKEN IN FOR SAID REPAIRS. WORRIED ABOUT SA…

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TANSMISSION PROBLEM...WHINNING, NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR/ TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE/PILOT BEARING BUSHING REPLACED/CRANK SHAFT REPLACED TWICE/ NOW REFUSES TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE ON TRUCK. HAVE PREGNANT DAUGHTER DRIVING VEHICLE CANNOT SHIFT AGAIN. THIS IS THE SEVENTH TIME I HAVE TAKEN IN FOR SAID REPAIRS. WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY OF PREGNANT DAUGHTER.

NHTSA ODI #731382

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 1999
Power Train

VEHICLE SHAKES AS TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. REPAIR CENTER SAYS THAT THE CLUTCH PLATE IS BINDING. EXTENDED WARRENTY DOES NOT COVER AS IT IS A "WEAR" COMPONENT. SEEMS UNREASONABLE TO ME THAT A CLUTCH PLATE WOULD WEAR OUT AFTER ONLY 50,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #710055

Mileage unknown · May 28, 1999
Electrical SystemPower TrainSeats

UNCCCEPTABLE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED., UNSATISFACTORY DEALER REPAIRS, SERVICE, AND SATISFACTION. NO SAFETY EFECTS LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #706960

Official recalls

3

00V220000 · Exterior Lighting

Aug 11, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.

97V208001 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Nov 25, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THE DEALER AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED TO THEM UNTIL THE DEALER CAN REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS.

97V218000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Nov 24, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.