The 1994 GMC Sonoma has 5 safety recalls and 224 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (148 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints224filed by owners
Crashes · fires18 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths5 · 1reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices
NHTSA recall 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007 · 742 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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).
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 06E041000 · May 18, 2006 · 7,800 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, 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.
Seat belts
NHTSA recall 97V096001 · Jun 12, 1997 · 586,058 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.
Risk: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
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
1994 GMC Sonoma
Overall
Not 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
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Sonoma 2WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Sonoma 2WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/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 · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/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
17mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 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
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
Sonoma 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/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, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
148
20
0
5
115,000 mi
Visibility Windshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
56
1
0
3
100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine
20
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal
13
1
0
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission; Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
12
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Alternator/generator/regulator; 12v/24v/48v battery
Equipment Mechanical › Carrier/rack; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
3
0
0
0
—
Tires Tread/belt
3
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 24, 2020 · 106,000 milesVehicle speed control DRIVING MY 1994 SONOMA AT APPROX 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE GAS PEDAL STARTED TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY FOOT AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN (AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TAKING OVER). I THINK THAT I THEN TAPPED THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE WENT BACK TO NORMAL SPEED, WHICH WAS TO DECELERATE AS MY FOOT WAS STILL OFF THE GAS PEDAL. I DO NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS IN THE ON POSITION. I HAVE SINCE SWITCHED CRUISE CONTROL TO OFF POSITION AND DISCONNECTED CRUISE CONTROL MODULE HARNESS, AND WILL LEAVE IT DISCONNECTED.
Mar 19, 2008 · 91,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light ABS LIGHT IS ON AND DEALER CLAIMS MY 1994 GMC SONOMA NEEDS A $2,200 ABS COMPUTER REPLACED. THERE WAS RECALL ON THE ABS MODULE IN 7/00. I BELIEVE THIS RECALL AFFECTED THE ABS COMPUTER THAT NOW NEEDS REPLACING AND I'M ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE FROM GMC ON SHARING THE REPLACEMENT COSTS. *TR
Nov 1, 2007 · 120,000 milesVisibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SONOMA. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING WHILE IN USE. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE WIPERS CAN TAKE 30 SECONDS TO ACTIVATE AGAIN, BUT OTHER TIMES, THE CONTACT HAS TO WIGGLE AND MOVE THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT NO RECALL WAS AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THEY BEGAN RECALLING THE 1995 MODELS. THE WIPERS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Feb 16, 2007 · 154,180 miles · crashVehicle speed control I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT (GOING APPROX 20 MPH) WHEN THE THROTTLE STUCK AND QUICKLY SURGED TO RED LINE. I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TACHOMETER WAS PEGGED OUT. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE (~8 YEARS AGO) WHILE I WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A RURAL HIGHWAY. DURING THAT INCIDENT I ALSO SHUT OFF THE IGNITION BUT ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL AND ENDED UP IN THE DITCH. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE DURING THAT INCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS GOING ABOUT 60 MPH AND HAD NO POWER BRAKES SINCE THE IGNITION WAS OFF. I WAS UNHURT BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED DURING THAT INCIDENT. I TOOK THE…
Sep 10, 2003 · 113,000 milesVisibility › Windshield wiper/washer WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY; WORSENED WITH RAINFALL AMOUNT. REPLACED WIPER MOTOR AND CONDITION PERSISTED. CONTACTED GMC WITH CONCERN ON 10/18/2005 (FILE #1-369184131). *JB
Nov 15, 2004 · 115,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1994 GMC SONOMA. THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. SOMETIMES WHEN SHE IS TRYING TO STOP, IT WILL EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE HER 125 DOLLARS TO LOOK AT IT. IN TWO MONTHS SHE HAS HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED THREE TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS, PADS, DRUMS, EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE AND NOTHING SEEMED TO HELP. THE ABS LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON. GMC STATED THE CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN WITH THE RECALL BECAUSE HER VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND A LOT OF MILES ON IT. THE SHOCKS HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS ARE 99I006000 AND 99V193000. *JB
Jul 19, 2004 · 170,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip DT: THIS IS A GMC S15 SONOMA 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS ONE OF THE 4 WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. *JB
Jun 22, 2005 · 180,000 milesSuspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint AT 35 MPH PASSANGER LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED AND RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE BEING DISABLED AND TOWED FROM FROM ROAD. 94 SONOMA 2.2 LITER WITH 180,000 MILES. I HAD NO CLUE AS TO THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO RUN FINE JUST BEFORE THE FAILURE.
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