Model year record
1998 Chevrolet Sonoma recalls & problems
The 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 3 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is visibility (2 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor | 2 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission | 2 | — |
| StructureBody › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THEM ON A FASTER SPEED THEY WILL COME ON. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT HANDLES WERE BROKEN, THEY DID NOT RECLINE AND METAL WAS WHITE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES, AND THE TAILGATE CABLES WERE BROKEN AND RUSTED. *JB.. VEHICLE ALMOST HIT A LARGE VAN WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ALMOST ALWAYS WORKED WHEN IT WAS DRY OUTSIDE. CONSUMER TOOK OUT THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND FOUND THE SOLDER JOINT TO THE RELAY CRACKED. *AK
- Power train › Automatic transmission
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLESClosed
GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SPECIAL POLICY PROGRAM FOR 903,464 OWNERS OF 2000 - 2003 MODEL S/T VEHICLES THROUGH WHICH OWNERS MAY, AT THEIR OPTION, EITHER (1) PERIODICALLY INSPECT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLE AND HAVE THE CABLES REPLACED IF THE CABLE COATING EXHIBITS ANY INDICATIONS OF DAMAGE OR DETERIORATION OR (2) REQUEST THAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. GM WILL HONOR ALL REQUESTS BY OWNERS WHO OPT FOR REPLACEMENT WITHOUT QUESTION REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OR APPEARANCE OF THE CABLES. GM HAS AGREED TO MAIL REMINDER NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS 12 YEARS OLD.ODI'S INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE REPORTED COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (94%) HAVE OCCURRED IN MY 2000 - 2003 S/T VEHICLES.
- TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE(S) BREAKClosed
ODI IS UPGRADING RQ04-012 AND OPENING AN EA TO INVESTIGATE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 1998 - 2004 MODEL YEAR SONOMA AND S10 MODEL VEHICLES.GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-129 TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 SIERRAS AND SILVERADOS AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 AVALANCHES AND ESCALADE EXTS (C/K MODELS).GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODITHAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE FABRICATED USING IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR SHEATHING MATERIAL AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.HOWEVER,GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODI THAT SONOMA AND S-10 VEHICLES DIFFER FROM C/K MODELS IN SEVERAL WAYS: THE VEHICLE HEIGHT IS LOWER; THE TAILGATE DISPLACEMENT (DROP) WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES IS SMALLER AND THE TAILGATE COMES TO REST AT A LESS SEVERE TIP ANGLE WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES; THE TAILGATE…