Model year record

1996 GMC Sonoma

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 190 owner complaints on file.

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 98V150001

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,557,585
Reported to NHTSA
1998-07-01
Owners notified
1998-12-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V146001

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

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
146,167
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-11
Owners notified
1997-10-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

BRAKE FLUID LOSS CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V008001

Visibility: windshield

Component
Visibility: windshield
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
55
Reported to NHTSA
1997-01-27
Owners notified
1997-01-30

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT STAY IN PLACE AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 212.

Manufacturer remedy

ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100%.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V035000

Power train: manual transmission

Component
Power train: manual transmission
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
24,906
Reported to NHTSA
1996-02-22
Owners notified
1996-02-16

Defect description

SOME OF THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH TRANSMISSIONS CONTAINING PARTS WHICH WERE NOT MACHINED TO GM'S SPECIFICATIONS.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

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 slip3698,651 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor17
Power train: automatic transmission10
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1050,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components9
Air bags: frontal8
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline8
Engine and engine cooling: engine6
Seats: front assembly: head restraint5
Electrical system: ignition: module4
Power train: manual transmission4126,000 mi
Unknown or other490,000 mi
Vehicle speed control4
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum3
Suspension: front: control arm3
Vehicle speed control: cruise control3
Electrical system: ignition2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2134,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2104,980 mi
Tires2
Visibility: windshield2
Air bags1
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1166,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys189,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch182,800 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light139,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments1150,000 mi
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: leaf1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor185,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 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.

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.