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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

Suspension complaints

7 reports
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145,000 miles · Jul 12, 2012
Air BagsSteeringStructureCrash

DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA HIT THE STOPPED TRUCK AND TOTALED THE SONOMA. AT NO POINT DID THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEP…

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DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA HIT THE STOPPED TRUCK AND TOTALED THE SONOMA. AT NO POINT DID THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465485

44,000 miles · Sep 23, 2003
Suspension

1998 GMC SONOMA, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL

NHTSA ODI #10039362

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2001
Exterior LightingSuspensionUnknown Or Other

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK OFF WALLY ARMOUR IN ALLIANCE OHIO.AFTER GETTING IT HOME WE FOUND OUT THERE WAS FRONT END TROUBLE,IT SHOOK REAL BAD,ALSO HEAD LIGHT DID NOT COME ON ALL THE TIME AND THE MIRROR ON DRIVERS DOOR SHIMMIED BAD AND MIRROR ON WINDOW WAS FALLING OFF.THIS VEHICLE IS A 1998 SONOMA GMC.I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AS A LEMON …

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I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK OFF WALLY ARMOUR IN ALLIANCE OHIO.AFTER GETTING IT HOME WE FOUND OUT THERE WAS FRONT END TROUBLE,IT SHOOK REAL BAD,ALSO HEAD LIGHT DID NOT COME ON ALL THE TIME AND THE MIRROR ON DRIVERS DOOR SHIMMIED BAD AND MIRROR ON WINDOW WAS FALLING OFF.THIS VEHICLE IS A 1998 SONOMA GMC.I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AS A LEMON AND NOW THEY ARE CHARGING ME OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF TAXES BESIDES RUINING MY CREDIT TO NEARLY ZERO.WHAT CAN I DO?IS THERE DEFAULTS ON THIS VEHICLE?*AK

NHTSA ODI #746991

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2000
Suspension

I HAD THE FRONT WHEELBEARINGS REPLACED BETWEEN 30&40THOUSAND UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 80 THOUSAND THAY HAVE GONE AGAIN. I THINK DIRT IS ABLE TO GET IN THREW THE ANTI-LOCK SENSOR .AT 400 BUCKS A WACK THIS IS CRAZY. PLEAS LOOK INTO THIS . THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD DAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719239

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentSuspension

A/C CLUTCH FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #606448

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

ROCKER PLATE GASKET FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. MJS

NHTSA ODI #605951

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 1998
Suspension

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH REAR SWAY BAR. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #831720

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.