Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1997 record →
WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY WOULD MAKE A LOT OF SQUEALING NOISES IN THE FRONT, CONSUMER TOOK TO DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL, FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT 20000 MILES AND ANOTHER TIME AT 32000 MILES, BRAKES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *SLC
WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH HIT AN ENBANKMENT HEAD-ON, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER STATES ACCELERATOR STICKS AT TIMES. KEYS CAN NOT BE REMOVED, PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. *SLC
THE TOP DOOR LATCH FOR THE THIRD DOOR (EXTENDED CAB) CRACKED AND FELL OFF WHEN I OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR! THE LATCH CRACKED COMPLETELY IN HALF AT THE TWO RIVVET HOLES THAT MOUNT THE CATCH TO THE UPPER DOOR FRAME. THE LATCH SECURES BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND REAR DOOR AT THE TOP OF THE DOOR FRAME. NOW THAT THE "U" SHAPED LATCH HAS BROKEN, ONLY THE SINGLE BOTTOM LATCH HOLDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CLOSED. THE DRIVER'S SHOLDER AND LAP BELT IS ATTACHED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. MY FEAR IS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR MAY SPRING OPEN DURING AN ACCIDENT AND THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT SECURE THE DRIVER. *AK
BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO STRAIGHT TO FLOOR UNDER HEAVY BRAKING IF TRAVELING ON ANY UNEVEN SURFACE. BRAKES NEED TO BE RECALIBRATED. DEALER WOULDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE RECALL. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED SINCE 1998.*AK
REAR BRAKE LINE IS ROUTED- (1) FROM MASTER CYLINDER (2) DOWN PAST DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT OF VEHICLE (3) ACROSS ROUGH BODY BRACKET. THIS CAUSES THE BRAKE LINE TO BE WORN IN 2 PLACES CAUSING LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND BRAKE FAILURE. THERE IS A USELESS PIECE OF SPRING-LIKE SHEILDING WHICH THE AFOREMENTIONED BRACKET CAN EASILY SEPARATE/SLIDE BETWEEN AND BEGIN CUTTING THE BRAKE LINE, RENDERING THE REAR BRAKES COMPLETELY DISABLED AND THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM SUSEPTABLE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF AIR IN THE LINES.*AK
A MALFUNCTION WITHIN ELECTRICAL MOTOR FOR 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE CAUSES A FUSE TO BLOW, AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE FEATURE TO MALFUNCTION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP THERE IS A DELAY IN BRAKING, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN A NEAR ACCIDENT. ALSO, NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT BRAKE. RECALL NUMBER 97V146001 REGARDING A BRAKE LINE, VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 62000 MILES. CONSUMER STATES FRONT BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED WITH HEAVY FOOT. *SLC
WHEN MAKING A TURN VEHICLE WILL LOSE BRAKING POWER DUE TO THE WIRE COMING FROM ABS COMPUTER AND RUNNING TO FRONT DISC BRAKES, CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
THE 1996 CHEVROLET S-10, WAS RECALLED FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, AND THE DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM EXPLAINS MINE PERFECTLY. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THEM ON, THEY WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF FOR NO REASON. FINALLY, THEY JUST QUIT WORKING. IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH NO WIPERS IN THE RAIN.*AK
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND CAUSING A COLLISION. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
DESIGN OF 1997 GMC SOMONA HAS THE REAR BRAKE LINES RUNNING ON TOP OF THE TRUCK FRAME FROM THE CAB TO THE BED THEN ON TO EACH WHEEL. ROAD DIRT HAD ACCUMULATED ON TOP OF THE FRAME COVERING THE BRAKE LINES, CAUSING CORROSION AND A LEAK WHICH DISABLED THE BRAKING SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION. WIRING HAS TO BE JIGGLED BEFORE OPERATION CONTINUES. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK *ML
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL INTERMITTENTLY QUIT WORKING WHILE IN USE DUE TO DEFECTIVE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.*AK
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED WHILE IN USE. BAD SOLDER JOINTS ON PCB IS THE CAUSE. BAD PCB DESIGN. *AK
VEHICLE CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCED REPEATED BLOWN OUT BRAKE LIGHT FUSE, DUE TO A SHORT AT FIREWALL. *MJS
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *ML
THE VEHICLE HIT 2 TREES HEAD-ON AT 50MPH, AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 35 MPH CONSUMER WAS FORCE OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED FRONT FIRST INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK
ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP. MJS
VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD-ON AND FLIPPED OVER INTO ANOTHER LANE AT 30 TO 35MPH, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER HASN'T SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST STOPPED, NO WARNING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE PULSE BOARD LOCATED IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *AK
WHILE MAKING A NORMAL STOP BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*AK
WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S HEAD HAD WENT THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW. VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOP. DRIVER HAD EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THROTTLE FAILES TO COME TO IDLE AT STOP. STAYS AT HIGH SPEED. GROWLING FROM TRANS-CLUTCH AREA - HARD SHIFT - CLUTCH FAILURE. *YC
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SHAKES. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. RIGHT FRONT BRAKE PADS EXCESSIVELY WORN. *AK
FUEL GAUGE QUIT, NEVER RESUMED, DEALER VERY UNRESPONSIVE,SAFETY ISSUE
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APPROX 60MPH ON A RAINY DAY AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
WHEN APPLING THE ABS BRAKES ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCK UP, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
EA94038, ABS BRAKING SYSTEM: WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES UNDER NORMAL STOPPING CONDITIONS ON DRY PAVEMENT, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS STANDARD BRAKES, WHICH IS CAUSING IT ALOT HARDER THAN NORMAL TO SLOW DOWN. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK *YC
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CONTACTED, VEHICLE NOT UNDER WARRANTY, NO REPAIRWORK DONE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WAS GOING INTO A CURB & FELT A VIBRATION OF SORT & THEN NOTICED THE LEFT REAR WHEEL ROLLING PAST. HAD TO STOP VEHICLE & CHECK. NOTICED THE LUGS & BOLTS HAD POPPED OFF & LOOSENED WHEEL & HUB. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED OWNER'S FAULT. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
AIR CONDITIONING FAILED AS WELL, AFTER ARGUING WITH DEALER EACH TIME GOT A RENTAL VEHICLE AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. TRUCK IS UNDEPENDABLE! WANT A VEHICLE BUY BACK!
EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE.
ABS BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
BRAKES FAILED. NLM
BRAKES ARE INADEQUATE FOR TRUCK. YH
WIPER FAILED. YH
LACK OF SECURITY LOCK FOR THE VEHICLE RESULTED IN SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL THEFT. YH
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT, WHEN IN USE, WILL MAKE A CLICKING NOISE. AT THIS POINT YOU CAN NOT MOVE THE SEAT BELT OUT AND IF YOU PRESS BACK INTO THE SEAT THE BELT FOLLOWS AND ALLOWS NO GIVE. THE BELT MUST BE RELEASED, RETRACTED ALL THE WAY IN AND PULLED BACK OUT AND REHOOKED. IT MAY WORK OR YOU MAY HAVE TO REPEAT THE PROCEDURE UNTIL IT DOES WORK. AFTER GETTING IT WORKING IN A NORMAL WAY, WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE PASSENGER MAY MOVE FORWARDED, THE CLICKING NOISE AND LOCK UP OCCURS ANEW AND THE PROCESS MUST BE REPEATED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE DEALER FIXING THE PROBLEM. IT ENTAILS HIM ORDERING A NEW BELT AND INSTALLING IT. TO THIS DATE IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND IT GOING OUT AGAIN.
WHILE DRIVING THE GAS PEDAL WILL TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY MANUAL OPERATION AND THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE TO EXCEED 2000 RPM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED.
ENGINE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY.
DURING COLLISION NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG.
ORIGINAL FACTORY TIRES SLIDE WHEN ROAD IS WET AT ANY SPEED.
ROTORS OUT OF ROUND CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL.
CONSTANT VIBRATION FROM ENGINE DUE TO A MISSING ENGINE MOUNT.
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
OIL COOLER LINE LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO OIL PAN, RUBS AGAINST UNIT.
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1997 GMC Sonoma → · Every Sonoma year → · How the figures are calculated →