Model year record

1994 GMC Sonoma

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 297 owner complaints on file.

GMC Sonoma, 1994–2004 generation
Pictured: the 1994–2004 generation. MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V193000

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

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,125,749
Reported to NHTSA
1999-07-19
Owners notified
2000-05-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V096001

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
586,058
Reported to NHTSA
1997-06-12
Owners notified
1997-09-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip114115,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2688,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor23100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components11—
Vehicle speed control11106,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission7—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads6—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly5—
Service brakes, air: antilock5—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Visibility: power window devices and controls4—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages3—
Suspension: front3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light265,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist2180,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber2115,000 mi
Tires2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seats1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1180,000 mi
Structure: body: door1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1180,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1120,000 mi

The 1993 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other GMC Sonoma model years

All GMC Sonoma recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.