The 1991 GMC Sonoma has 2 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (14 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints29filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline
NHTSA recall 06E043000 · May 19, 2006 · 88,303 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
NHTSA recall 99V193000 · Jul 19, 1999 · 1,125,749 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
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.
Fuel economy
Sonoma 2WD
22mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Sonoma 2WD
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Sonoma 2WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Sonoma 2WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Sonoma 2WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Sonoma 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Sonoma 4WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
14
3
0
1
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
4
0
1
0
—
Power train Clutch assembly; Manual transmission
3
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring › Front underhood; Alternator/generator/regulator
3
0
2
0
—
Structure Body › Door; Frame and members
2
0
0
0
—
Steering Column
2
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
1
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting Headlights
1
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Cruise control
1
0
0
0
—
Equipment Mechanical › Carrier/rack
1
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Retractor
1
0
0
0
—
Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 2, 2012 · 85,000 milesTires › Temporary/emergency spare tire TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED FROM OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED HAT THE SPARE TIRE HAD BECOME DETACHED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF A FRACTURED SUPPORT CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. .... UPDATED 02-20-13 *BF UPDATED 02/25/2013 *JS
Mar 10, 2007 · 80,000 milesLatches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GM SONOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH, THE DRIVERS DOOR WOULD OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE DOOR LATCH PIN WAS FOUND TO BE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND WERE NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
May 1, 2008Steering 1991 GMC SONOMA. TILT STEERING HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE HAS NOT CAUSED ANY WRECKS OR DAMAGE AFRAID TO DRIVE. HAVE NOT TAKEN FOR REPAIRS. MILEAGE COUNTER BROKE SOME YEARS AGO THIS TRUCK HAS APROX. 200,000 MILES ON WITH NO OTHER COMPLAINTS, DID HAVE MANUAL TRANS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY MANY YEARS AGO. *TR
Jul 15, 2004 · 104,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Cooling system ENGINE WOULD CONSTANTLY OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE THERMOSTAT, AND PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK
Oct 16, 2003 · 95,486 milesEngine and engine cooling › Exhaust system PROBLEM WITH EXHAUST PIPE ON MUFFLER.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS REFERRED TO A MUFFLER SHOP TO HAVE A PATCH PUT ON THE FRONT HEADER PIPE AND WAS NOT GIVEN ANY OPTION TO HAVE IT FIXED CORRECTLY *TS *JB
Jul 3, 2003Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE SHOES AND TAIL PIPE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR EXHAUST REPAIR. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT EH CONSUMER TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE MUFFLER SHOP FOR A HEADER PIPE PATCH. THE CONSUMER IS INTERESTED IN KNOWING IF A HEADER PIPE PATCH IS ILLEGAL WITH THE PRESENT VEHICLE EMISSIONS STANDARD. *MR *CB *NLM
Jan 30, 2002Power train › Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle) WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER HOOD, AND NOTICE CLUTCH FAN WAS SEATING ON FRAME, AND A HOLE WAS IN RADIATOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO A TECHNICIAN, AND WAS INFORMED CLUTCH FAN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Jul 27, 1996 · fireElectrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator WHILE DRIVING THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER, THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NLM
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
PE94046 · opened Jun 17, 1994 · closed Oct 31, 1994ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS There is no summary currently available