1993 GMC Sonoma

Routine

Owners filed 58 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip26
401
Power Train › Automatic Transmission4
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner3
201
Vehicle Speed Control2
200
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe2
000
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood2
010
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator2
021
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor1
000
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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 Fittings06E041000
Filed May 18, 20067,800 vehiclesR&b, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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 Slip99V193000
Filed Jul 19, 19991,125,749 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission94V093000
Filed May 16, 199472,664 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 19, 2003MO

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS STATED IN RECALL#94V09300, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Sep 24, 2002TX

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 2, 2001PA

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 3, 2000IA

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!!!!!!

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 7, 2000MN

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

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Aug 24, 2000CA

THE MAIN COMPUTER FAILED. *YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
Filed Jul 22, 2000WI

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

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Feb 17, 2000WI

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Feb 10, 2000MA

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Feb 9, 2000CA

WHILE DRIVING HOT WATER HEATER BLEW UP INSIDE OF THE CAB, CAUSING THE CAB TO FILL UP WITH STEAM, AND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF WINDOWS. MECHANIC SAID HEATER WAS CORRODED. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Dec 21, 1999NJ

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 15, 1999CT

I HAVE TRIED CALLING A DEALER - THEY KNOW NO MORE THAN I DO. HELP!!

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 2, 1999LA

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

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Oct 21, 1999FL

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
Filed Oct 19, 1999MI

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 17, 1999AZ

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.

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/RegulatorFire
Filed Sep 15, 1999WA

POSSIBLE ALERNATOR FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE. NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 14, 1999MT

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

Seats › Front Assembly › ReclinerCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 2, 1999AR

DRIVER WAS REARENDED WHEN DRIVER SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED, CAUSING BACK INJUIRES.*AK

Suspension › Front
Filed Sep 1, 1999TX

THE FRONT END SUSPENSION FRAME PULLS TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. SPEED NOT A FACTOR. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK

20 of 58 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20051000Routine
20040100Routine
200339110Routine
200257010Routine
200189110Routine
2000136401Fatalities reported
199957110Routine
1998156420Routine
1997111300Routine
1996148910Routine
1995213700Above average
1994224621Fatalities reported
1993 — this page58430Routine
199225300Routine
199129230Routine
19901000Routine

Compare every Sonoma year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.