Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
1325–50K
2050–75K
1275–100K
7100–150K
4150K+
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 · Aug 24, 2000
Electrical System
IGNITION COIL HAS A PRONOUNCED "WHITE STRIP" BY THE COIL CORE THAT IS OBVIOUSLY INSULATION THAT IS DECAYED AND OPENING UP TO EXPOSE THE WINDINGS. FACTORY TELLS THE DEALER IT IS NORMAL. IT IS OBVIOUS TO THE UNTRAINED EYE THAT THE WINDINGS ARE JUST UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE INSULATION. IT IS A SUSPECTED PROBLEM THAT HAS CAUSED ERR…
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IGNITION COIL HAS A PRONOUNCED "WHITE STRIP" BY THE COIL CORE THAT IS OBVIOUSLY INSULATION THAT IS DECAYED AND OPENING UP TO EXPOSE THE WINDINGS. FACTORY TELLS THE DEALER IT IS NORMAL. IT IS OBVIOUS TO THE UNTRAINED EYE THAT THE WINDINGS ARE JUST UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE INSULATION. IT IS A SUSPECTED PROBLEM THAT HAS CAUSED ERRATIC ENGINE RUNNING CHARACTERISTICS.
NHTSA ODI #728858
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000
EquipmentSeatsStructure
SPARE WHEEL WOULD NOT FIT ON THE TRUCK, WRONG NUMBER OF HOLES IN THE WHEEL. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #553911
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2000
Seats
DRIVER SIDE SEAT DOSEN'T LOCK PROPERLY AND SLIDES BACK WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. I HAVE TACKEN THIS TRUCK THE THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BARNETT AUTO GROUP ON THE GULF FREEWAY IN HOUSTON TEXAS WITH UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN TWICE THE GMC CONSUMER RELATIONS DEPT AT GMC CONSUMER RELATIONS 31 E, JUDSON STREET…
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DRIVER SIDE SEAT DOSEN'T LOCK PROPERLY AND SLIDES BACK WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. I HAVE TACKEN THIS TRUCK THE THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BARNETT AUTO GROUP ON THE GULF FREEWAY IN HOUSTON TEXAS WITH UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN TWICE THE GMC CONSUMER RELATIONS DEPT AT GMC CONSUMER RELATIONS 31 E, JUDSON STREET 1607-04 PONTIAC MI 48342-2230. SOME ONE THIER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO TACK ANY ACTION BECAUSE THEY WERE ON THE SIDE OF THE DALER AND NO ACTION WAS GOING TO BE TACKEN AT THISPOINT & TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #725763
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2000
Seats
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #725762
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH AND HOOD FLEW OFF AND HIT REAR WINDSHIELD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #863661
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2000
Seats
SEAT RECLINER BROKE. NLM
NHTSA ODI #552175
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2000
Seats
RIGHT THEN LEFT SEAT RECLINER HANDLE BROKE OFF, STUD IS MADE OUT OF CHEAP CAST WHITE METAL.
NHTSA ODI #9000855
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2000
Air BagsCrash
WHILE SON WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH AND WHEN TRYING TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, CRASHED VEHICLE INTO A DIVIDER WALL , AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #859770
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY 1998 GMC SONOMA DEVELOPED A BRAKING PROBLEM - PULLING HARD RIGHT. THE VEHICLE (UNDER WARRANTY - 15,000 MILES) WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE TURNED, PADS DEGLAZED, WHEEL BEARINGS REPACKED, REAR DRUMS TURNED AND SHOES ADJUSTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE COST TO ME WAS $217. I HAV…
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MY 1998 GMC SONOMA DEVELOPED A BRAKING PROBLEM - PULLING HARD RIGHT. THE VEHICLE (UNDER WARRANTY - 15,000 MILES) WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE TURNED, PADS DEGLAZED, WHEEL BEARINGS REPACKED, REAR DRUMS TURNED AND SHOES ADJUSTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE COST TO ME WAS $217. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BRAKE PROBLEMS AT SUCH LOW MILAGE ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. I AM CONVINCED THAT A DEFECT EXISTS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM THAT GM IS ATTEMPTING TO BLAME ON THE CONSUMER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720273
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
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.
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.
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.
1998 GMC Sonoma Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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