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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 · Mar 26, 2007
Visibility

AT FIRST INSTANCE OF FAILURE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD INTERMITENTLY STOP WORKING. IT HAS NOW PROGRESSED TO TOTAL FAILURE. GOT UNDER HOOD AND TRACED TO WIRING PLUG IN AT WIPER MOTOR. IF PLUG IS JIGGLED THE WIPERS WILL WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN DURING POSSIBLE RAIN CONDITIONS DUE TO SAFETY ISSUE…

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AT FIRST INSTANCE OF FAILURE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD INTERMITENTLY STOP WORKING. IT HAS NOW PROGRESSED TO TOTAL FAILURE. GOT UNDER HOOD AND TRACED TO WIRING PLUG IN AT WIPER MOTOR. IF PLUG IS JIGGLED THE WIPERS WILL WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN DURING POSSIBLE RAIN CONDITIONS DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS FROM A DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10186144

59,000 miles · Feb 28, 2007
Power Train

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 GMC SONOMA PURCHASED NEW IN FEBRUARY OF 1999. VEHICLE PROPERLY MAINTAINED DRIVEN AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 7,400 MILES PER YEAR. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 4L60E TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. 59,000 MILES BEGINS TO SURGE AND SLIP. ACCELERATION IS GREATLY REDUCED WITH HARSH SHI…

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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 GMC SONOMA PURCHASED NEW IN FEBRUARY OF 1999. VEHICLE PROPERLY MAINTAINED DRIVEN AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 7,400 MILES PER YEAR. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 4L60E TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. 59,000 MILES BEGINS TO SURGE AND SLIP. ACCELERATION IS GREATLY REDUCED WITH HARSH SHIFTING. GREATLY COMPROMISING MY SAFETY. ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3100.00 GMC WILL NOT REIMBURSE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE. MY CLAIMS WERE "DENIED" BY THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10183854

107,030 miles · Jan 27, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

IN APRIL 2006, A BRAKE LINE ON MY 1998 GMC SONOMA PICKUP BROKE WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AT APPROX 50 MPH. I HAD TO STOP RATHER QUICKLY DUE TO TRAFFIC BACKING UP ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE BRAKE LINE BURST, MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD NO BRAKES. PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, THE BRAKES WERE WORKING FINE. FO…

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IN APRIL 2006, A BRAKE LINE ON MY 1998 GMC SONOMA PICKUP BROKE WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AT APPROX 50 MPH. I HAD TO STOP RATHER QUICKLY DUE TO TRAFFIC BACKING UP ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE BRAKE LINE BURST, MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD NO BRAKES. PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, THE BRAKES WERE WORKING FINE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE INTO ANOTHER LANE AND DOWNSHIFT (STD SHIFT) TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE BROKEN LINE (FROM HYDRAULIC ABS TO JUNCTION) AND ALSO THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE TRUCK HAD 107,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I DECIDED TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT HAPPEN TO OTHERS, RESULTING IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10180903

78,000 miles · Oct 18, 2006
Visibility

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON A RAIN DAY, THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AT HIGH SPEED. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, AND SOMETIMES DID NOT WORK AT ALL. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SEEN BY A DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #10171288

116,000 miles · Jul 30, 2006
SeatsVisibility

ON OUR 1998 GMC SONOMA WE HAVE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND BOARD. THE WIPERS STILL HAVE A GHOST IN THEM AND DELAY DOES NOT WORK MOST OF THE TIME AND HIGH SPEED WHEN ON LOW SPEED, ERRATIC BEHAVIOR ON WIPERS. WON'T TURN ON OR OFF ON OCCASION. WAS THERE A RECALL ON ALSO ON THE PASSENGER SEAT? THE LEVER BROKE RIGHT OFF …

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ON OUR 1998 GMC SONOMA WE HAVE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND BOARD. THE WIPERS STILL HAVE A GHOST IN THEM AND DELAY DOES NOT WORK MOST OF THE TIME AND HIGH SPEED WHEN ON LOW SPEED, ERRATIC BEHAVIOR ON WIPERS. WON'T TURN ON OR OFF ON OCCASION. WAS THERE A RECALL ON ALSO ON THE PASSENGER SEAT? THE LEVER BROKE RIGHT OFF THE FIRST TIME WE USED IT. CHEAPLY BUILT HANDLES. PLEASE SEND ME A LIST OF RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE PLEASE FOR OUR OWN SAFETY AS THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN DAILY ON OPEN HIGHWAYS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163903

50,000 miles · Jun 11, 2006
SeatsStructureVisibility

INTERIOR COMPONENTS BREAK EASILY: DRIVER'S RECLINER HANDLE SHEARED OFF, DRIVER'S VISOR HINGE SNAPPED, WINDSHIELD DEFROST GRILLE FRACTURED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10159524

50,000 miles · Jun 11, 2006
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM IS FAULTY. USUALLY THE WIPERS CONTINUE RUNNING AFTER BEING TURNED OFF, SOMETIMES THEY STOP WHILE RUNNING, FREQUENTLY THEY RUN CONTINUOUSLY WHEN IN THE "INTERVAL" SETTINGS, A FEW TIMES THEY HAVE FAILED TO OPERATE AT ALL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10159523

50,000 miles · Apr 21, 2006
Structure

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE TAILGATE RUSTED AND THE TAILGATE FRACTURED. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 06V066000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE: BODY: TAILGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 05/1…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE TAILGATE RUSTED AND THE TAILGATE FRACTURED. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 06V066000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE: BODY: TAILGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 05/10/06*JB

NHTSA ODI #10155807

46,000 miles · Mar 10, 2006
Structure

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TAILGATE SUSPENSION CABLE BROKE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V066000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE BODY TAILGATE HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10152436

107,081 miles · Jan 16, 2006
Visibility

THIS STARTED AS AN OCCASIONAL FAILURE IN 2002 WHEN THE INTERMITTENT WIPERS WOULD SUDDENLY START WIPING AT FULL SPEED "ON THEIR OWN" AND WOULD ONLY GO BACK TO INTERMITTENT SPEED AFTER I WOULD TURN OFF THE WIPERS AND RE-TURN THEM ON. IN AUGUST 2005 THIS CHANGED TO WHERE THE INTERMITTENT WIPERS WOULD GO TO FULL SPEED AND THEN JUST …

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THIS STARTED AS AN OCCASIONAL FAILURE IN 2002 WHEN THE INTERMITTENT WIPERS WOULD SUDDENLY START WIPING AT FULL SPEED "ON THEIR OWN" AND WOULD ONLY GO BACK TO INTERMITTENT SPEED AFTER I WOULD TURN OFF THE WIPERS AND RE-TURN THEM ON. IN AUGUST 2005 THIS CHANGED TO WHERE THE INTERMITTENT WIPERS WOULD GO TO FULL SPEED AND THEN JUST STOP. THEY WOULD NOT RESUME WIPING WHEN I WOULD TURN THE SWITCH ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES (THUS I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN WITH NO WIPERS). HOWEVER - THEY WOULD JUST AS SUDDENLY BEGIN WIPING. IN OCTOBER 2005 I HAD THE LOCAL GM DEALER REPLACE THE WIPER MODULE CIRCUIT BOARD WHICH IT TURNED OUT WAS CRACKED. THIS IS THE SAME PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT GMC DID A RECALL FOR VEHICLES BETWEEN 1994 AND 1997. I HAVE REGISTERED THIS ISSUE WITH THE GM CLAIMS DEPARTMENT - BUT THEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY ACTION FOR A RECALL NOR REIMBURSE THE COST OF THE PART. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10147858

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.