1995 GMC Sonoma

Above average

Owners filed 213 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip62
1002
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer29
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor14
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine11
000
Air Bags › Frontal10
1006
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly8
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components6
200
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline6
000
Service Brakes, Air › Antilock4
101
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner4
000

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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, 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip99I006000
Filed Jul 19, 19992,400,000 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OR MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3-SENSOR ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) EBC4 UNITS.

Risk. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS ON CERTAIN MULTIPLE SURFACES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH OPERATES THE ABS UNIT ON SOME VEHICLES, OR REPLACE THE COMPUTER ON OTHERS TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ABS ON THESE SURFACES.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer98V150001
Filed Jul 1, 19981,557,585 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Seat Belts97V096001
Filed Jun 12, 1997586,058 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 21, 201095,000 milesWI

I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I94 WHEN MY TRUCK SUDDENLY BOUNCED UP JUMPING AND COMING BACK DOWN ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP. AS I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR I SAW MY SPARE TIRE BOUNCING OFF INTO A NEARBY FIELD. THE SPARE WAS HELD UNDER THE TRUCK BED BY A STEEL CABLE WHICH LATER I FOUND BROKE. THE TIRE HAD JAMMED UNDER THE TRUCK BED RUPTURING THE STEEL GASOLINE FILLER TUBE. I EXPLORED THE RUPTURE CLOSED AND HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE RETAINING ASSEMBLY UNDER THE TRUCK. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 23, 2010148,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GMC SONOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT THEN ABRUPTLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE REAR WHEELS CONTINUED SPINNING AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO IDLE AT EXTREMELY HIGH RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER; NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,210. UPDATED 5/12/10 *CN WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT, AT TIMES THE ENGINE WOULD ABRUPTLY GO TO FULL THROTTLE. UPDATED 06/04/10.*JB

Electrical System
Filed Jul 16, 200898,000 milesTN

1995 GMC SONOMA DIES WHILE DRIVING, ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAIL. HAVE TO PUT IN NEUTRAL TO RESTART WHILE MOVING. *TR

Visibility
Filed Jun 7, 200879,000 milesTX

I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 1995 GMC WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY,AND ONE DAY,ON MY FIRST DAY BACK TO WORK AS A TEACHER,IT RAINED HORRIBLY AND THE WIPERS WOULDN'T WORK. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO FIRESTONE TO GET THEM FIXED. NOW I READ THERE WAS A RECALL AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFO. AND HAVE LIVED AT THE SAME PLACE FOR 18YRS.. SEWELL MOTORS IN DALLAS,TX SOLD ME THE VEHICLE IN 1995. *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Feb 12, 2008OH

WHILE DRIVING, THE WIPERS CAN STOP CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF VISIBILITY. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Sep 4, 2004102,000 milesPA

FUEL TANK LEAKING WHERE PLASTIC SHEILD COVERS TANK. DEFECTIVE DESIGN TRAPPED WATER AND ROAD DEBRIS AGAINST INADEQUATELY PROTECTED FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF FUEL CONTAINMENT SYSTEM. CONCERN THAT LEAKING FUEL TANK COULD PROPOSE FIRE HAZZARD. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 18, 2003FL

WHEN THE CONSUMER PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT STUCK OPEN, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WHICH SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TS *JB

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Filed Jul 18, 2003KS

THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CABLE LOOKED LIKE IT SNAPPED. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Switch
Filed Jul 16, 2003109,950 milesMN

THE MULTI-FUNCTION/COMBINATION SWITH THAT CONTROLS THE HIGH/LOW BEAMS, WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THIS CAUSED MY TAILLIGHTS TO STOP FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL WITH HEADLIGHTS ON, TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK, REVERSE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. I DRIVE A 1995 GMC SONOMA SHORT BED, STANDARD CAB, SL PACKAGE. 5 SPEED MT, NON-TILT, NO CRUISE, NO POWER ANYTHING.*AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Filed May 29, 2003FL

WHILE DRIVING AND AND WITHOUT WARNING SIDE MIRROR WILL FALL OFF, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Dec 31, 200295,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING AT 68 MPH, CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Nov 7, 2002MI

THE PLASTIC STONE SHIELD IN FRONT OF THE FUEL TANK, CONTAINED DEBRIS AND MOISTURE, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO RUST AND THEN LEAK. TS *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 26, 2002OH

CONSUMERS STATES THE VEHICLE HAD A MAJOR FAILURE TO OCCUR WITH THE CYLINDER HEAD. GMC HAS DECLINED TO RESPOND TO CONSUMERS INQUIRIES. CONSUMER HAS ALL THE PARTS AND WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE METAL FAILURE. *JG

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 12, 2002OH

CYLENDER HEAD CRACKED, CAUSING LEAKING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
Filed Aug 8, 2002MI

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, HOSE FLIPPED OFF THAT WAS CONECTED WITH ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT BY THE TIME HE GOT THE VEHICLE STOPPED, ALL THE OIL HAD DRAINED OUT, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FREEZE UP. *SLC

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 17, 2002NM

MY HUSBAND FELL ASLEEP AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 AM AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. THE DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND HE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, SUSTAINED A BRUISED HEART AND NECK INJURY. WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL ER, TRANSFERRED TO ICU; HE IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL NOW, BEING WATCHED CLOSELY FOR ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER ACCIDENTS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL PICKUP WHERE THE AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE? OR IS IT FAULTY EQUIPMENT ON JUST THIS VEHICLE?*AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Jun 27, 2002PA

THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT RECLINER LEVER DOES NOT OPERATE RECLINER. DUE TO IMPROPER (NONE) CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE THE DOOR (STORAGE POCKET) AND THE RECLINER LEVER, THE METAL THAT HOLDS THE LEVER IS BROKEN.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 27, 2002PA

THE REMOTE OIL FILTER ADAPTER ON THIS VEHICLE IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND THE MOUNTING BOLTS ARE STEEL. ANY KID THAT PASSES SCIENCE CLASS CAN TELL YOU THAT THESE TWO METALS TOGETHER WILL CAUSE A BI-METALLIC REACTION THAT WILL SEVERELY AND QUICKLY CORRODE THE ALUMINUM, WHICH IT HAS. THIS CORROSION HAS CAUSED THE MOUNTING HOLES ON THE ADAPTER TO FLAKE OFF AND NOW ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF THE MOUNTING BOLT/NUT IS HOLDING THE ASSEMBLY. EVENTUALLY, THE MOUNT WILL COMPLETELY FAIL AND THE ADAPTER MAY FALL INTO SOME MOVING ENGINE PART OR ONTO THE ROAD. THIS COULD SEVER THE OIL FILTER HOSES AND POSSIBLY SPRAY OIL ON THE HOT ENGINE WHICH IS A FIRE RISK. THIS OIL FILTER ADAPTER SHOULD BE MADE OUT OF MATERIALS THAT ARE COMPATIBLE AND WILL NOT CORRODE FROM BI-METALLIC REACTION.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Mar 28, 2002CT

WHEN BRINGING THE TRUCK IN FOR OTHER SERVICE THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VISIBLE PART OF THE TANK WAS INTACT HOWEVER, A PLASTIC SHIELD COVERS THE FRONT PORTION OF THE TANK. REMOVAL OF THE SHIELD REVEALED PACKED DEBRIS, THE TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THE CAUSE OF THE CORROSION WAS THE FACT THE PLASTIC SHIELD ON THE FRONT OF THE TANK TRAPPED DEBRIS AGAINST THE TANK AND CAUSED CORROSION FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE TANK. THIS DESIGN INDUCES CORROSION AND NO REASONABLE INSPECTION WOULD FOREWARN OF THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER, MR. JOE CHAPMAN OPINED THERE WAS NO RECOURSE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS 7 YEARS OLD. FOLLOWING THIS RATIONALE OWNERS SHOULD EXPECT TO REPLACE FUEL TANKS WITH GREATER FREQUENCY THAN EXHAUST SYSTEMS. MR. CHAPMAN DID PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER. THAT NUMBER WAS CALLED AND A LINDA ROBERTSON LISTENED AND STATED "DESIGNS ARE NEVER DEFECTIVE." AFTER MORE DISCUSSION SHE PHONE THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED MY VISIT ADDING HE NEVER ADMITTED THE DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE.( TRUE ONLY THE TECHNICIAN MADE SUCH A COMMENT. THIS SHOULD BE A MOOT POINT TO ANYONE LOOKING AT THE DESIGN OR THE PARTS AT ISSUE. I ASKED MS. ROBERTSON TO WHOM COULD I WRITE FOR FURTHER REVIEW. SHE SAID NO ONE. HER ONLY OFFER WAS THAT SHE CREATED A FILE OF MY COMPLAINT. THE NUMBER THEREOF BEING C06605340. THIS DESIGN AND CONSEQUENT LEAKAGE PRESENTS SIGNIFICANT FIRE HAZARD AS WELL AS AIR POLLUTION AND THE SEEPAGE OF MTBE INTO GROUND WATER. GMC TOUTS THE DURABILTY OF THEIR PRO

Tires
Filed Mar 8, 2002MA

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO PULL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *YH

20 of 213 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20051000Routine
20040100Routine
200339110Routine
200257010Routine
200189110Routine
2000136401Fatalities reported
199957110Routine
1998156420Routine
1997111300Routine
1996148910Routine
1995 — this page213700Above average
1994224621Fatalities reported
199358430Routine
199225300Routine
199129230Routine
19901000Routine

Compare every Sonoma year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

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: Mar 12, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.