1996 GMC Sonoma

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #99V193000July 19, 19991,125,749 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #98V150001July 1, 19981,557,585 vehicles affected

  visibility: windshield wiper/washer

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #97V146001September 11, 1997146,167 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #97V096001June 12, 1997586,058 vehicles affected

  seat belts

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #97V008001January 27, 199755 vehicles affected

  visibility: windshield

  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."

  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%.

• NHTSA recall #96V035000February 22, 199624,906 vehicles affected

  power train: manual transmission

  Some of these trucks were built with transmissions containing parts which were not machined to gm's specifications.

  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.

Other model years

• 1991 29
• 1992 25
• 1993 58
• 1994 224
• 1995 213
• 1996
• 1997 111
• 1998 156
• 1999 57
• 2000 136
• 2001 89
• 2002 57
• 2003 39