1998 GMC Sonoma complaints

CONSUMER STATES DURING THE LAST SIXTH MONTHS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WHEN ACTIVATED, WORK FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN STOP, CAUSING A VISIBILITY PROBLEM, CONSUMER HAS ROATED THE WIPER KNOB TO HIGH, TURNED IT OFF, AND SLOWED IT DOWN, NEITHER OF WHICH RELIEVE THE PROBLEM, DEALER STATED MOTOR NEEDED REPLACED, HOWEVER CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE MOTOR WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, SO HE IS CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IS. SERPENTINE BELT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *SLC

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AND DROPS INTO NEUTRAL FOR 1-2 SECONDS, AND THEN GOES BACK INTO GEAR, CAUSING A REVVING IN ENGINE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN JULY 2000, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION STICKING IN GEAR. SAME DEALER CLAIMS TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER STATES STUCK GEAR RESULTED IN AN ENGINE BRAKE CONDITION IN A REDUCED SPEED ZONE WHERE VEHICLE SPEED IS SUDDENLY REDUCED WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS ON, CONSUMER FOUND TSB 99-07-30-005 REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND STATED THE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO REPLACE THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER THIS WAS NOT BEEN DONE UNTIL THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY FAILED WHICH CAUSED 3RD GEAR TO LOCK ON THE HIGHWAY, CONSUME RWANTS GM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *SLC

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK OFF WALLY ARMOUR IN ALLIANCE OHIO.AFTER GETTING IT HOME WE FOUND OUT THERE WAS FRONT END TROUBLE,IT SHOOK REAL BAD,ALSO HEAD LIGHT DID NOT COME ON ALL THE TIME AND THE MIRROR ON DRIVERS DOOR SHIMMIED BAD AND MIRROR ON WINDOW WAS FALLING OFF.THIS VEHICLE IS A 1998 SONOMA GMC.I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AS A LEMON AND NOW THEY ARE CHARGING ME OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF TAXES BESIDES RUINING MY CREDIT TO NEARLY ZERO.WHAT CAN I DO?IS THERE DEFAULTS ON THIS VEHICLE?*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT OUT DURING A RAIN STORM. WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENED ALL THE TIME. CONSUMER CONSIDERED THIS DANGEROUS BECAUSE HE COULD NOT SEE WHEN RAINING. *AK

THE RECLINER SEATBACK HANDLE IS ATTACHED TO A SUB-STANDARD METAL PART WHICH HAS BROKEN ON THIS TRUCK TWICE SINCE NOVEMBER 1999. IN BOTH INSTANCES IT APPEARS THE METAL PORTION THAT THE HANDLE IS SCREWED INTO IS NOT A HIGH GRADE METAL AND THUS CAN BE BROKEN IN TWO PIECES FROM REGULAR USE. PER OUR SERVICE ADVISORS AT THE PONTIAC/GMC DEALERSHIP, THEY'VE INDICATED THIS WAS THE PART THAT USED THE LOWEST GRADE MATERIAL THUS THEY HAVE SEEN MORE OF THIS PART BREAK ON THIS TRUCK THAN ANYTHING ELSE. ALSO, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TRUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM THIS WEEK. I DEFINATELY NEED TO KNOW IF THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IN THE LONG RUN WITH THESE TRUCKS IN QUESTION. I MAY NOT BE THE FIRST, BUT I AM CERTAINLY NOT THE LAST TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM.

WHEN HE APPLYING BRAKES ABS BRAKING LIGHT CAME ON. THEREFORE, SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT EBCM DEVICES WERE BAD .THIS WAS BRAIN UNIT TO THIS DEVICE. *AK

THE SYSTEM THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE BROKE AT THE SPRING BOLT/CABLE CONNECTION. MANY CARS AND TRUCKS HAD TO SWERVE TO AVAOID THE TIRE ONCE IT CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK! GMC SAYS THEY WON'T FIX IT, THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HISTORY WITH THE PICK UP. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A FRIEND . THAT TIRE CAME OUT AT 25 MPH!!! IT WAS A REAL SCARY SITUATION!

SEAT RECLINER ASSEMBLY FAILURE. *SLC

TANSMISSION PROBLEM...WHINNING, NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR/ TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE/PILOT BEARING BUSHING REPLACED/CRANK SHAFT REPLACED TWICE/ NOW REFUSES TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE ON TRUCK. HAVE PREGNANT DAUGHTER DRIVING VEHICLE CANNOT SHIFT AGAIN. THIS IS THE SEVENTH TIME I HAVE TAKEN IN FOR SAID REPAIRS. WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY OF PREGNANT DAUGHTER.

IGNITION COIL HAS A PRONOUNCED "WHITE STRIP" BY THE COIL CORE THAT IS OBVIOUSLY INSULATION THAT IS DECAYED AND OPENING UP TO EXPOSE THE WINDINGS. FACTORY TELLS THE DEALER IT IS NORMAL. IT IS OBVIOUS TO THE UNTRAINED EYE THAT THE WINDINGS ARE JUST UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE INSULATION. IT IS A SUSPECTED PROBLEM THAT HAS CAUSED ERRATIC ENGINE RUNNING CHARACTERISTICS.

SPARE WHEEL WOULD NOT FIT ON THE TRUCK, WRONG NUMBER OF HOLES IN THE WHEEL. *MJS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

DRIVER SIDE SEAT DOSEN'T LOCK PROPERLY AND SLIDES BACK WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. I HAVE TACKEN THIS TRUCK THE THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BARNETT AUTO GROUP ON THE GULF FREEWAY IN HOUSTON TEXAS WITH UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN TWICE THE GMC CONSUMER RELATIONS DEPT AT GMC CONSUMER RELATIONS 31 E, JUDSON STREET 1607-04 PONTIAC MI 48342-2230. SOME ONE THIER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO TACK ANY ACTION BECAUSE THEY WERE ON THE SIDE OF THE DALER AND NO ACTION WAS GOING TO BE TACKEN AT THISPOINT & TIME. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH AND HOOD FLEW OFF AND HIT REAR WINDSHIELD. *AK

SEAT RECLINER BROKE. NLM

RIGHT THEN LEFT SEAT RECLINER HANDLE BROKE OFF, STUD IS MADE OUT OF CHEAP CAST WHITE METAL.

WHILE SON WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH AND WHEN TRYING TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, CRASHED VEHICLE INTO A DIVIDER WALL , AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

MY 1998 GMC SONOMA DEVELOPED A BRAKING PROBLEM - PULLING HARD RIGHT. THE VEHICLE (UNDER WARRANTY - 15,000 MILES) WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE TURNED, PADS DEGLAZED, WHEEL BEARINGS REPACKED, REAR DRUMS TURNED AND SHOES ADJUSTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE COST TO ME WAS $217. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BRAKE PROBLEMS AT SUCH LOW MILAGE ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. I AM CONVINCED THAT A DEFECT EXISTS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM THAT GM IS ATTEMPTING TO BLAME ON THE CONSUMER. *AK

I HAD THE FRONT WHEELBEARINGS REPLACED BETWEEN 30&40THOUSAND UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 80 THOUSAND THAY HAVE GONE AGAIN. I THINK DIRT IS ABLE TO GET IN THREW THE ANTI-LOCK SENSOR .AT 400 BUCKS A WACK THIS IS CRAZY. PLEAS LOOK INTO THIS . THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD DAY. *AK

THIS TRUCK IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE SUMMER TO DRIVE. IT WILL WITHOUT WARNING IN HOT WEATHER, FAILED TO ACCELLERATE. AS THE PEDAL IS PUSHED FURTHER TO THE FLOOR THE ENGINE WILL LOSE RPM. IT WILL RUN AT AN IDLE AND DIE IF ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. IT ONLY DOES IT IN WARM WEATHER AND IF ALLOWED TO STABILIZE AT AN IDLE CAN SOMETIMES BE DRIVEN AWAY. IT HAS DONE THIS WITH PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE AND IS UNSAFE. GM HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE PARTS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE VENDOR THAT PROVIDES THE 1-800 LINE SEVICE THAT NO PARTS WILL BE REPLACED UNTIL IT LOGS A CODE. IT DOES NOT LOG A CODE SO I AM UNABLE TO PROVE THIS CONDITION EXISTS. I AM NOT HAPPY AND GM IS NOT INCLINED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS TRUCK IS A LEMON AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. THE DEALER IS IGNORANT AND NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN. I AM NOT IMPRESSED WITH THE GM APPROACH TO REPAIR. IGNORE A PISSED OFF CUSTOMER AND HE WILL GO AWAY. WHEN THIS TRUCK KILLS SOMEONE IT WILL BE TO LATE. *AK

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS: WHNY APPLYING BRAKES DURING AN EMERGENCY ON WET PAVEMENT/ICY OR SNOWY ROADS, BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM, AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK *ML

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A LEFT FRONT HEAD-ON COLLISION IN WHICH BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

SEAT HANDLE FELL OFF WHEN CONSUMER PUSHED IT TO RECLINE THE SEAT. NLM

IGNITION FAILED, LEFT CONSUMER STRANDED

CONSUMER PUSHED HANDLE TO RECLINE SEAT WHEN THE HANDLE FELL OFF. NLM

WHILE DRIVING 20MPH DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL. DRIVER HAS RIB CAGE INJURY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-45 MPH, TRYING TO SLOW DOWN AND MAKE A TURN, AND BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TWO TREES, AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

BATTERY.

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER TRUCK AND PUSHED INTO A THIRD VEHICLE ALL AT 45MPH, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

HANDLE TO ADJ. DRIVER SEATBACK BROKE OFF AT METALIC HUB WITH VERY LITTLE PRESSURE, SEAT LOCKED IN FORWARD UPRIGHT POSTION WHILE DRIVING AND COULD NOT BE RETURNED TO DRIVING POSITION

WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH CUSTOMER HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. *AK

VEHICLE SHAKES AS TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. REPAIR CENTER SAYS THAT THE CLUTCH PLATE IS BINDING. EXTENDED WARRENTY DOES NOT COVER AS IT IS A "WEAR" COMPONENT. SEEMS UNREASONABLE TO ME THAT A CLUTCH PLATE WOULD WEAR OUT AFTER ONLY 50,000 MILES.

ENGINE WOULD MAKE KNOCKING NOISES. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED CONSUMER OF POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE CRAHKSHAFT. NO KNOWN SOLUTION FOR KNOCKING PROBLEM. *AK

TRUCK MAKES POPPING NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR STOPPING HARD. VEHICLE HAS HAD 6 SERVICE ORDERS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 15 VISITS TO THE SHOP. I HAVE TRIED THREE DIFFERENT GMC SERVICE CENTERS. TO DATE THEY HAVE STILL NOT SUCCEEDED AT SOLVING THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM 1ST OCCURRED 3-20-99 WITH 6045 MILES. EVERY TIME THEY HAVE EITHER TIGHTEN, LUBED OR REPLACED SOMETHING. THE PROBLEM ALWAYS REOCCURS SHORTLY AFTER SERVICE. CURRENTLY THEY ARE ORDERING SOME MORE PARTS TO REPLACE. BETWEEN THIS AND OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK IN THE SHOP SO MUCH THAT I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE A SECOND VEHICLE (NOT A GM PRODUCT!)SO I HAVE SOMETHING TO DRIVE WHEN THIS ONE IS IN THE SHOP. I TRULY FEEL I HAVE A LEMON IN MY DRIVEWAY. I CAN SUBMIT FULL DEALER DOCUMENTATION UPON REQUEST.

DECALS ON FRONT BUMPER AND DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WERE PEALING OFF. THESE WERE BOTH REPLACED ON SERVICE ORDER DATED 6-25-98. THIS HOWEVER TOOK 3 TRIPS, 3 DIFFERENT DAYS AND ABOUT 2 WEEKS TIME TO COMPLETE. DECALS ARE NOW BEGINNING TO PEAL OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR IS JOINING IN ON THE PEALING. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY SAID, "STONE CHIPS ON FRT, PASS. DOOR HAS DING FROM ANOTHER VEHICLES DOOR STONE CHIPS -DAMAGE NOT WARRANTABLE-STRIPED ARE WELL ADHERED". I FOUND THIS RATHER AMUSING BECAUSE I CAN TAKE A HOSE AND SPRAY THEM OFF. I ASSUME THEY MUST HAVE A HIGH POWER MICROSCOPE TO SEE A DING IN THE DOOR. I STILL CAN NOT FIND ONE IN THIS AREA. I NOW HAVE ANOTHER GMC DEALER WORKING ON REPLACING THEM FOR THE SECOND TIME. THEY HAVE THEM ON ORDER. 7-26-99

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL LOCKS UP AND PULLS THE VEHICLE TO LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER SAYS IT'S NORMAL. *AK

HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK THE BRAKES. THE ROTORS HAD WORN OUT & WERE SHOT. SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED MANUFACTER OF PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS, BUT NOT THE PADS. WAS CHARGED FOR THE ROTORS, EVEN THOUGH UNDER WARRANTY. HAD VEHICLE CHECKED AGAIN & REPAIRS WERE NOT DONE, BUT THE ROTORS WERE TURNED. *AK

UNCCCEPTABLE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED., UNSATISFACTORY DEALER REPAIRS, SERVICE, AND SATISFACTION. NO SAFETY EFECTS LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WILL NOT LOCK INTO PLACE AND SLIDES, REPLACEMENT OF SEAT/TRACK AND LATCH AND SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE NOT RECTIFIED PROBLEMS. MJS

PAPER OR SOME LIKE OBJECT MUST HAVE BLOWEN ONTO THE MUFFLER FROM THE ROAD SURFACE, CATCHING TRUCK ON FIRE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. ALSO, SHOULDER BELT DIDN'T HOLD CONSUMER FROM HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. *AK

DRIVER PUSHED HANDLE TO MOVE DRIVER'S SEATBACK FORWARD, PUSHED HANDLE TO RETURN SEATBACK TO SITTING POSITION WHEN HANDLE BROKE OFF LOCKING THE SEATBACK IN A FORWARD POSITION.

ROCKER PLATE GASKET FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. MJS

PARKING BRAKE SPRING RETURN FAILED. YH

LEFT FRONT INSIDE DOOR PILLAR FAILED. YH

A/C CLUTCH FAILED. NLM

OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE APPROX. 15 DEGREES, TRUCK SLID INTO SNOW PILE GOING APPROX. 2 MILE PER HOUR WHILE TURNING INTO A DRIVE. FRONT BUMPER BROKE LIKE A PIECE OF GLASS. NO OTHER PHYSICAL DAMAGE. I BELIEVE BUMPER SHOULD HAVE NOT BORKE IN THE MIDDLE WITH SUCH A SMALL AND LIGHT IMPACT. I BELIEVE THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO FAULTY BUMPER MAKEUP THAT DID NOT HOLD UP UNDER THE COLD WEATHER CONDITION, BUT SHOULD HAVE.

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH REAR SWAY BAR. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

STEERING SYSTEM IS TIGHT IN LAST 1/3 TURN BEFORE CENTER AND DOESN'T A;;OW SELF-CENTERING DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THIS REQUIRED CONSTANT CORRECTIONS, BUT OF NO AVAIL. PROBLEM PERSISTS.