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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

What owners actually said

156 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

CONSUMER STATES DURING THE LAST SIXTH MONTHS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WHEN ACTIVATED, WORK FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN STOP, CAUSING A VISIBILITY PROBLEM, CONSUMER HAS ROATED THE WIPER KNOB TO HIGH, TURNED IT OFF, AND SLOWED IT DOWN, NEITHER OF WHICH RELIEVE THE PROBLEM, DEALER STATED MOTOR NEEDED REPLACED, HOW…

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CONSUMER STATES DURING THE LAST SIXTH MONTHS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WHEN ACTIVATED, WORK FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN STOP, CAUSING A VISIBILITY PROBLEM, CONSUMER HAS ROATED THE WIPER KNOB TO HIGH, TURNED IT OFF, AND SLOWED IT DOWN, NEITHER OF WHICH RELIEVE THE PROBLEM, DEALER STATED MOTOR NEEDED REPLACED, HOWEVER CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE MOTOR WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, SO HE IS CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IS. SERPENTINE BELT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #893091

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 · 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 · Jun 6, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #746520

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2001
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT OUT DURING A RAIN STORM. WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENED ALL THE TIME. CONSUMER CONSIDERED THIS DANGEROUS BECAUSE HE COULD NOT SEE WHEN RAINING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #888196

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2001
Seats

THE RECLINER SEATBACK HANDLE IS ATTACHED TO A SUB-STANDARD METAL PART WHICH HAS BROKEN ON THIS TRUCK TWICE SINCE NOVEMBER 1999. IN BOTH INSTANCES IT APPEARS THE METAL PORTION THAT THE HANDLE IS SCREWED INTO IS NOT A HIGH GRADE METAL AND THUS CAN BE BROKEN IN TWO PIECES FROM REGULAR USE. PER OUR SERVICE ADVISORS AT THE PONTIAC…

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THE RECLINER SEATBACK HANDLE IS ATTACHED TO A SUB-STANDARD METAL PART WHICH HAS BROKEN ON THIS TRUCK TWICE SINCE NOVEMBER 1999. IN BOTH INSTANCES IT APPEARS THE METAL PORTION THAT THE HANDLE IS SCREWED INTO IS NOT A HIGH GRADE METAL AND THUS CAN BE BROKEN IN TWO PIECES FROM REGULAR USE. PER OUR SERVICE ADVISORS AT THE PONTIAC/GMC DEALERSHIP, THEY'VE INDICATED THIS WAS THE PART THAT USED THE LOWEST GRADE MATERIAL THUS THEY HAVE SEEN MORE OF THIS PART BREAK ON THIS TRUCK THAN ANYTHING ELSE. ALSO, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TRUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM THIS WEEK. I DEFINATELY NEED TO KNOW IF THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IN THE LONG RUN WITH THESE TRUCKS IN QUESTION. I MAY NOT BE THE FIRST, BUT I AM CERTAINLY NOT THE LAST TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #744350

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN HE APPLYING BRAKES ABS BRAKING LIGHT CAME ON. THEREFORE, SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT EBCM DEVICES WERE BAD .THIS WAS BRAIN UNIT TO THIS DEVICE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881365

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2000
Equipment

THE SYSTEM THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE BROKE AT THE SPRING BOLT/CABLE CONNECTION. MANY CARS AND TRUCKS HAD TO SWERVE TO AVAOID THE TIRE ONCE IT CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK! GMC SAYS THEY WON'T FIX IT, THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HISTORY WITH THE PICK UP. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A FRIEND . THAT TIRE CAME OUT AT 25 MPH!!! IT WAS A REAL S…

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THE SYSTEM THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE BROKE AT THE SPRING BOLT/CABLE CONNECTION. MANY CARS AND TRUCKS HAD TO SWERVE TO AVAOID THE TIRE ONCE IT CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK! GMC SAYS THEY WON'T FIX IT, THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HISTORY WITH THE PICK UP. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A FRIEND . THAT TIRE CAME OUT AT 25 MPH!!! IT WAS A REAL SCARY SITUATION!

NHTSA ODI #736829

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2000
Seats

SEAT RECLINER ASSEMBLY FAILURE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #556325

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

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.