The 1996 GMC Sonoma has 8 safety recalls and 148 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (56 complaints).
Recalls8safety recalls
Complaints148filed by owners
Crashes · fires26 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported 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).
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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
NHTSA recall 98V150001 · Jul 1, 1998 · 1,557,585 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L ENGINES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ENGINE OIL PAN CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF BRAKE FLUID LOSS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION.
Risk: BRAKE FLUID LOSS CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND THE BRAKE LINE. IF THE CLEARANCE IS 6MM OR LESS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE CLIP AND IF THERE WAS CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND BRAKE LINE, THE FRONT BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.
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.
Visibility › Windshield
NHTSA recall 97V008001 · Jan 27, 1997 · 55 vehicles
Problem: THE TOP COAT PAINT SEVERELY PEELS DUE TO OVERBAKING OF THE POWDER PRIMER PRIOR TO THE TOP COAT APPLICATION. SINCE THE WINDSHIELD PRIMER AND ADHESIVE ADHERE TO THE TOP COAT PAINT ONTHE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGE, THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT STAY IN PLACE AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 212.
Fix: ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100%.
Power train › Manual transmission
NHTSA recall 96V035000 · Feb 22, 1996 · 24,906 vehicles
Problem: SOME OF THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH TRANSMISSIONS CONTAINING PARTS WHICH WERE NOT MACHINED TO GM'S SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk: THESE TRANSMISSIONS COULD SEIZE AND LOCK THE REAR DRIVE WHEELS WHILE THE TRUCK IS BEING DRIVEN CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION MAIN SHAFT OUTPUT TORQUE USING A SPECIAL TOOL. IF THE OUTPUT TORQUE DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, 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
1996 GMC S-15 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
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Sonoma 2WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Sonoma 2WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Sonoma 2WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/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
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/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
Seats Front assembly › Head restraint; Front assembly › Recliner
6
2
0
1
—
Suspension Front › Control arm; Front › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Leaf
6
1
0
0
—
Unknown or other
4
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, air Antilock; Antilock › Abs warning light
3
1
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 29, 2011Air bags THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. IT TURNS OFF SOMETIMES FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES OR FEWER MINUTES. NO REPAIR SHOP CAN DETERMINE HOW TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT OPERATE THAT'S WHAT I HAVE READ. IS THERE A RECALL ON THE AIR BAG LIGHT? OR IS THERE A FIX FOR THIS ISSUE? *TR
Apr 15, 2009Interior lighting FUSE BLOWS TO INTERIOR LIGHTS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY HORN. *TR
Jun 1, 2007 · 150,000 milesStructure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRAPS THAT SUPPORT THE TAILGATE FAILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Jul 6, 2007 · 104,980 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC SONOMA. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE LINE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED TEMPORARILY. HOWEVER, TWENTY MILES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE BRAKE LINE FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS REPLACED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL DURING BOTH FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 97V146001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000…
Apr 12, 2007 · 134,000 milesFuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings FUEL LINE LEAKING . *AK
Dec 26, 2006 · 85,000 milesVisibility › Rear window wiper/washer › Motor TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED CONCERNING A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER MOTOR. THE BULLETIN HAS A PRODUCT RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN TOLD BY GMC THAT THE CAR WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL\ DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL EITHER STAY UP IN THE AIR, WON'T WORK AT ALL, OR SHUT OFF BY THEMSELVES. THE LAST INCIDENT WAS ON DECEMBER 26, 2006. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN IN JULY 2006. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY GAVE HER A SERVICE REQUEST NO. 71-463971283, AND THEN THE DEALER DENIED IT. *AK
Nov 14, 2006 · 98,651 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH UNDER NORMAL BRAKING ON WET ROADS, THE ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE THREE SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, BUT WERE NOT CERTAIN THAT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER REPAIRS. THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED NHTSA RECALL # 99I006000 REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK.
Sep 11, 2006 · 166,000 milesAir bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module 1996 GMAC SONOMA AIR BAG SENSOR RIVET FAILURE. FOUND DRIVERS SIDE SENSOR HANGING FROM ELECTRICAL LEAD, WHEN I INSPECTED THE MOUNTING AREA I FOUND THAT THE TWO RIVETS THAT SECURE THE SENSOR WERE SHEARED OFF. I INSPECTED THE OTHER SENSOR MOUNTING AND FOUND THAT ONE OF THE TWO RIVETS WAS ALSO SHEARED OFF. NO FRONT END IMPACT HAD OCCURRED AND NO INDICATIONS WERE NOTED. *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.