1995 GMC Sonoma: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 213 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (35% of complaints); the 1993 and 1997 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 213 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2008
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2006
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2003
“While driving and and without warning side mirror will fall off, causing a distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · May 2003
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2003
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2002
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2002
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2002
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 27 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
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 1995 GMC Sonoma reliable?
NHTSA has 213 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 GMC Sonoma. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 GMC Sonoma problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 98,000 miles or less.
Does the 1995 GMC Sonoma have open recalls?
7 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.