1994 GMC Sonoma: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 224 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (54% of complaints); the 1992 and 1993 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driving my 1994 sonoma at approx 50 mph on a highway when all of the sudden the gas pedal started to move away from the bottom of my foot and the vehicle began to accelerate on its own (as if the cruise control was taking over). I think that I then tapped the brake and the vehicle went back to normal speed, which was to decelerate as my foot was still off the gas pedal. I do not use cruise control, but cruise control switch was in the on position. I have since switched cruise control to off position and disconnected cruise control module harness, and will leave it disconnected.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2020
“ABS light is on and dealer claims my 1994 gmc sonoma needs a $2,200 ABS computer replaced. There was recall on the ABS module in 7/00. I believe this recall affected the ABS computer that now needs replacing and I'm asking for assistance from gmc on sharing the replacement costs. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 gmc sonoma. The windshield wipers intermittently stop working while in use. The failure occurs at various speeds. The wipers can take 30 seconds to activate again, but other times, the contact has to wiggle and move the wiper motor for them to function properly. The dealer stated that no recall was available; however, they began recalling the 1995 models. The wipers have not been repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“At 35 mph passanger lower ball joint failed and resulted in the vehicle being disabled and towed from from road. 94 sonoma 2.2 liter with 180,000 miles. I had no clue as to the problem and the vehicle seemed to run fine just before the failure.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2005
“Dt: the consumer owns a 1994 gmc sonoma. The consumer is having problems with the brakes. Sometimes when she is trying to stop, it will excessive force to stop the vehicle. The dealership wanted to charge her 125 dollars to look at it. In two months she has had the brakes replaced three times. They have replaced the rotors, pads, drums, emergency brake cable and nothing seemed to help. The ABS light has never come on. Gmc stated the consumers VIN was not included in with the recall because her vehicle was too old and a lot of miles on it. The shocks have also been replaced. The NHTSA campaign id numbers are 99i006000 and 99v193000. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2004
“Dt: this is a gmc s15 sonoma 4 wheel drive truck. When the consumer applied the brakes, the ABS light illuminated. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and they said it was one of the 4 wheel speed sensors. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2004
“My winshield wipers stop working and then start working again without warning. This is the same problem that the NHTSA had found and issued a recall for for a truck that is 1 yr younger than mine. Gmc says its not their problem.”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2003
“Windshield wipers operated intermittently; worsened with rainfall amount. Replaced wiper motor and condition persisted. Contacted gmc with concern on 10/18/2005 (file #1-369184131). *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2003
“Over the past four years I have had problems with my windshield wipers stopping or locking up intermittently while in use. I've had my mechanic check this problem several times, but he could not duplicate the failure as it is a intermittent problem. I heard about a gm recall concerning this issue. I notified gm and they said that my vehicle 1994 gmc sonoma VIN [xxx] was not included in the recall. I believe that this is the same problem as the one covered by the recall. *nlm information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Visibility · May 2003
“Windshield wipers stop working. They will sometimes start working again if you jiggle the connector wire to the wiper motor. The 1995 and newer models have a recall for this problem, but it does not extend to the 94 year. *nlm”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sonoma by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 GMC Sonoma reliable?
NHTSA has 224 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 GMC Sonoma. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (54% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 GMC Sonoma problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 109,500 miles or less.
Does the 1994 GMC Sonoma have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.