Safety ratings
1993 GMC Sonoma
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (4)
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIPCampaign 99V193000 · 19/07/1999
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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINECampaign 06E043000 · 19/05/2006
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 FITTINGSCampaign 06E041000 · 18/05/2006
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.
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONCampaign 94V093000 · 16/05/1994
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.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- SERVICE BRAKES33
- HYDRAULIC32
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8
- POWER TRAIN7
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- SEATS3
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES2
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/21/1999· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED WAS WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE REPORT FOR THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 94V-93000. THE TRUCK WAS IN PARK IDLING AND IT SURGED FORWARD HITTING A WALL IN A PARKING GARAGE. I HAVE CONTACTED GMC AND THEY HAVE ISSUED ME A FILE # OF 99311914, BUT SAID THAT I MUST CONTACT YOU IN ORDER TO GO ANY FURTHER WITH THIS ISSUE. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK
- 12/15/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE TRIED CALLING A DEALER - THEY KNOW NO MORE THAN I DO. HELP!!
- 12/07/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS: BRAKES GRAB; WEARS UNEVENLY; ERRATIC STEERING; NO WARNING. TT
- 12/03/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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!!!!!!
- 12/02/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ABS BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE. WOULD FADE OUT, AND STOPPING DISTANCE HAS BEEN INCREASED. VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED IN REVERSE. WHEN IN DRIVE POSITION WOULD RAMBLE & LOSE POWER. ALSO, THERE ARE DEFECTIVE VALVES IN ENGINE. ALSO DEFECTIVE DRIVESHAFT RUBBER BEARINGS CAUSE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO MIDAS & NOT DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SOLVED. *AK
- 11/27/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT BRAKES FAILED AT 13K MILES, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AT 13K. TT
- 11/25/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCK UP ON OCCASION AND PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO FLOOR BEFORE STOPPING VEHICLE.
- 11/14/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT ANY LOW SPEED ON THE DRY WEATHER THE BRAKES WORK FINE, BUT WHEN THERE IS ANY WET SURFACE ON THE ROAD, THE BRAKES LOCK UP, MAKING THE CONSUMER LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THEN BRAKES GRAB, NOT LETTING VEHICLE OPERATE. *AK
- 11/12/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN DRIVING THE CONSUMER SMELLS BURNING FUMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
- 11/10/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES (ABS), CAN FELL THE BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. IT'S INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. SOMETIMES THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM. *AK
- 11/07/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT30 OR 40 MPH THE CONSUMER TRIED TO STEP ON THE BRAKES, TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK
- 11/04/1998· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESFire
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE, VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER BARELY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO TROUBLE WITH THE LOCKS. CONSUMER PUT THE FIRE OUT. FIRE DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THE CONSUEMR SUFFERED MINOR BURNS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
- 11/04/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PURCHASED NEW, THE FRONT PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, TOOK TO DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG . *AK
- 11/03/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA-94-038, THE DEFECTIVE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. DEALER REPLACE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK
- 10/30/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCK UP/FAIL DURING A HARD STOP/PANIC STOP. *AK
- 10/29/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash
REAR BRAKE FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD
- 10/21/1999· VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK
- 10/21/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER CAN BE DRIVING AT APPROX 25-40 MPH HEARS/FEELS THUMPING NOISE, REPLACED BRAKES TWICE. *AK
- 10/19/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE OIL COOLER LINE HOSE BROKEN CAUSING OIL LEAKAGE, DUE TO DESIGN FLAW, BOTH BRAKE LINE AND COOLER LINE ARE LOCATED TOGETHER AND THE FRICTION/CHAFFING RESULTED IN BROKEN LINE. YH
- 10/17/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN BRAKING ON WET PAVEMENT, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO PEDAL STOP AND VEHICLE IS NOT STOPPING. THE DEALER HAS PUT ON BRAKE BOOSTER, ABS DUMP VALVE MASTER CYLINDER BLED AND ADJUSTED BRAKES. GMC WAS INVOLVED WITH DIAGNOSIS. THIS WAS DONE ONE YEAR AGO TRUCK STILL DOES THIS. I REALIZE RECALL UNDER WAY INVOLVING 4WD VEHICLES BUT NOT TWO WHEEL DRIVE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW SHOULD I GO ABOUT GETTING THIS RESOLVED? SO FAR ABOUT $1800.00 HAS BEEN PUT INTO THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO GET A RESOLUTION TO THIS.
- 10/13/1997· POWER TRAIN
STICK SHIFT LOCATION POSES DANGER. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR HIGH SPEED STOP THE CENTER PASSENGER IS IN DANGER OF CRITICAL HEAD INJURY FROM THE STICK SHIFT.
- 09/25/1995· POWER TRAIN
DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT)
- 09/24/2002· SEAT BELTS
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
- 09/15/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
POSSIBLE ALERNATOR FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE. NLM
- 09/14/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOORBOARD, AND THE ABS DIDN'T WORK . ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. *AK
- 09/07/2000· TIRES
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
- 09/02/1999· SEATSCrash
DRIVER WAS REARENDED WHEN DRIVER SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED, CAUSING BACK INJUIRES.*AK
- 09/01/1999· SUSPENSION
THE FRONT END SUSPENSION FRAME PULLS TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. SPEED NOT A FACTOR. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
- 08/24/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED. *YH
- 08/14/1996· WHEELSCrash
LEFT REAR TIRE STUDS BROKE, CAUSING WHEEL TO FALL OFF. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
- 08/07/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE FLUID IS RUNNING OUT OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS COST IS PAID BY THE CONSUMER. *AK
- 08/03/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. THE FLUID WAS GONE, BUT NO BRAKE FLUID LIGHT CAME ON, FLUID WAS LEAKING. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN.
- 07/22/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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. YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY RESTART THE ENGINE OR TRY COASTING INTO THE STOP, PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND KEEP THE ENGINE REVING, SO IT HOPEFULLY WON'T STOP. *AK
- 07/17/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCK UP IN WET WEATHER.
- 07/13/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
- 07/06/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash
THE ABS BRAKES DO NOT SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
- 06/22/1998· SEATS
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, THE DRIVERS SEAT STARTED TO BREAK AT THE SEAT BACK PIVOT POINT, CONSUMER STATES THAT GMC REPLACED THE SEAT BACK PARTS ON THREE OCCASIONS, HOWEVER THEY CONTINUE TO BREAK, CONSUMER FEELS THE DESIGN IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT HIS WEIGHT, WHICH IS 300 POUNDS. *SLC
- 06/20/1995· SUSPENSION
REAR AXLE VIBRATES DURING HARD ACCELERATION OR STOPPING VEHICLE IN 1ST GEAR.
- 06/14/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NO SIMMARY MENTIONE DFOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
- 06/13/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. TT
- 06/01/1996· PARKING BRAKECrash
EMERGENCY BRAKE LATCH FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD
- 05/22/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A HOLE IN THE EXHAST MANIFOLD AND IT IS ALLOWING CARBON MONOXIDE INTO THE PASSENGER CAOMPARTANT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
- 05/19/2003· POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS STATED IN RECALL#94V09300, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB
- 05/15/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON WET PAVEMENT THE PEDAL WILL TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- 05/14/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAIL RESULTING IN A COLLISION.
- 05/12/1995· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SPEED 35MPH, ACCELERATOR STUCK IN OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION HITTING A FENCE. TT
- 04/24/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR ABS BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
- 04/21/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN APPYLING THE ABS BRAKES THE PEDAL WILL TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. *AK
- 04/20/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN APPYLING THE ABS BRAKES ON WET PAVEMENT THE FRONT OR REAR WHEELS LOCK UP, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALERS CANNOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- 04/14/1997· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, VEHICLE ACCELERATES AND GOES INTO OVERDRIVE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL STICK EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DRIVER MUST KEEP TAPPING THE BRAKES TO GET VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN . VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK