Model year record

1993 GMC Sonoma recalls & problems

The 1993 GMC Sonoma has 4 safety recalls and 58 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (33 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints58filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 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).

Fuel system, gasolineMay 18, 2006

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 06E0410007,800 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN R&B, INC. CENTRAL MULTIPORT FUEL INJECTION (CMFI) FUEL RETURN LINES, MODELS HELP 55163, NAPA BALKAMP 700-3270, AND THE CONNECTION 2560001, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL RETURN LINE HAS A MECHANICAL BLEED VALVE WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED AT THE PROPER TORQUE.
Risk: A FUEL LEAK CAN OCCUR AT THE VALVE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: R&B, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AT THE CUSTOMERS REQUEST, EITHER REPLACE THE FUEL LINE OR OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT R&B, INC. AT 215-712-5330.

Service brakes, hydraulicJul 19, 1999

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 99V1930001,125,749 vehiclesopened 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.

Power trainMay 16, 1994

Automatic transmission

Recall 94V09300072,664 vehicles

Problem: SIGNIFICANT WEAR CAN DEVELOP ON THE LOW AND REVERSE CLUTCH PREVENTING THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING. THIS CAN PREVENT A "NO PARK" CONDITION TO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, CAUSING UNINTENTIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTION. (THE "NO PARK" CONDITION WILL NOT OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS OFF.)
Risk: UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND INJURY TO PERSONS IN THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR CONTAMINATION WHICH WILL INDICATE IF THE LOW OR REVERSE CLUTCH IS WORN. IF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOWS CONTAMINATION, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.

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.

Crash test ratings

1993 GMC Sonoma

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sonoma 2WD

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Sonoma 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/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 / 21 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	Premium Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

Sonoma 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Sonoma 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

Sonoma 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sonoma 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 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, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Pads	33	4	0	1	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; Engine	8	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift	8	0	1	1	—
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Alternator/generator/regulator	5	0	3	1	—
Vehicle speed controlLinkages; Accelerator pedal	4	2	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	3	2	0	1	—
SuspensionRear; Front	2	0	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar	2	0	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core	2	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, airAntilock	1	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	1	0	1	1	—
Unknown or other	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

Power train › Automatic transmission
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS STATED IN RECALL#94V09300, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB
May 10, 2003
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
SEAT BELTS WEAR EXCESSIVLY ON DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLES WITH FRONT BUCKET SEATS.THIS I BELIEVE IS DUE TO SEAT BELT RUBBING AND FRAYING ON THE COVER FOR THE BELT ON THE FLOORBOARDS ...MY VEHICLE HAS OVER 100K MI.BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS AND POSSIBLY 50 OR 60 K MILES... THE AREA THAT FRAYS IS APPROXIMATELY 5 OR 6 INCHES BEHIND THE RETRACTION STOP ON THE SEAT BELT ...APPEARS ONLY DRIVER SIDE IS AFFECTED. NLM
Sep 24, 2002
Power train › Automatic transmission
WHEN VEHICLE WAS OWNED BY OTHER FAMILY MEMBER, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A "NO PARK" CONDITION. A CRASHED TOOK PLACE, $2700 IN DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE. AT THE TIME WE WERE UN AWARE OF A RECALL THAT WAS OUT THERE FOR THIS CONDITION. WASN'T WE FOUND THIS OUT, WE CONTACTED GMC. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. WHEN THIS ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. THEY WOULD NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. I WANTED TO CONTACT THE NHTSA TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE CONDITION OF THE TRANSMISSION AND SPEAK TO REPRESENTITIVE. THANK YOU. *AK
Aug 15, 2000
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
DEALER FAILED, GM CALLED BUT STEVE, SAID IT WAS ALL IN MY HEAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DERRY BROTHERS IN BURLINTON, IOWA , BUT STILL HAVING PROBLEMS, HAD TO PIN THE BRAKE CALIPER PINS AND PUT SET SCREW TO HOLD THEM IN, REPLACED WATER PUMP 3 TIMES BRAKES 24 TIMES, CALIPERS 3 TIMES, FRONT ROTTORS 3 TIMES,AND REAR DRUMS 3 TIMES, ELECTICAL COMPONETS EVERY 6MO TO YEAR, NOW RADIATOR IS GOING GO THROUGH 4 TIRES EVERY 4 TO 6 MO,AND OTHER PROBLEMS WITH DEALER!!!!!!
Aug 12, 1993
Tires › Tread/belt
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. HAD A BLOWUP THE FIRST TIME. THEN, PULLED OVER AND SAW TREAD OFF THE TIRE. UNIROYAL P235/75 R15.*AK THE CUSTOMER STATES HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND GOT IN THE DITCH WHEN THE TIRE BLEW UP. *YH
Sep 7, 2000
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
THE MAIN COMPUTER FAILED. *YH
Aug 24, 2000
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
THE EGR VALVE GETS FULL OF CARBON AND, ABOUT EVERY 1000 MILES, CAUSE THE TRUCK TO QUIT AND THE BRAKES TO STOP OPERATING, PUTTING OUR SAFETY AT RISK. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED FROM MY FATHER-IN-LAW AND HE DID NOT ENCOUNTER THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE SAME MECHANIC THAT HE DID AND HE HAS CLEANED OUT THE CARBON TWICE NOW. BUT I TOOK IT TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAID THEY HAVE FOUND THAT AROUND THE HIGH 90,000 AND 100,000 MILEAGE MARK, THIS EGR VALVE IS A PROBLEM IN THIS TRUCK ENGINE. IT CONTINUES TO BE A MORE FREQUENT PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY OBVIOUS ON LONGER TRIPS. THE TRUCK SIMPLY QUITS WHEN YOU DECELERATE TO COME TO A STOP AND THE BRAKES GIVE OUT.…
May 3, 2000
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED THE DEALER MADE THE COMMENT "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM" WITH THE STEERING COLUMNS. IF YOU CAN SEND ME A E-MAIL ADDRESS I CAN SEND PHOTOS OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE CRACKS IN THE METAL. THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT 3/4 OF AN INCH OF METAL HOLDING THE STEERING COLUMN TOGETHER. I HATE TO THINK WHAT THE RESULTS WOULD BE IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURED IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION. JOE GILARDI. *AK
Feb 11, 1999

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

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILSClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE94046 · opened Jun 17, 1994 · closed Oct 31, 1994