1996 GMC Sonoma: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 148 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (32% of complaints).
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 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The air bag light stays on. It turns off sometimes for about 5 minutes or fewer minutes. No repair shop can determine how to repair this issue. When the air bag light is on the air bag would not operate that's what I have read. Is there a recall on the air bag light? Or is there a fix for this issue? *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 gmc sonoma. The contact stated that the straps that support the tailgate failed. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of failure. No repairs were made. The dealer information was unknown. The current mileage was 152,000 and failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 12/12/2007 *bf updated 12/12/07 *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2007
“Tl* - the contact called concerning a service bulletin regarding windshield wiper washer motor. The bulletin has a product recall. The contact has been told by gmc that the car was not a part of the recall\ due to the VIN. The contact stated that the windshield wipers work intermittently. The contact stated that the windshield wipers will either stay up in the air, won't work at all, or shut off by themselves. The last incident was on december 26, 2006. The contact stated that the problem with the windshield wipers began in july 2006. The contact called the dealer, and they gave her a service request no. 71-463971283, and then the dealer denied it. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 mph under normal braking on wet roads, the ABS lights illuminated and the vehicle had an extended stopping distance. The dealer examined the vehicle and determined the three sensors had to be replaced, but were not certain that the replacement would correct the problem. The vehicle was currently at the dealer for further repairs. The contact encountered NHTSA recall # 99i006000 regarding the service brakes, hydraulic: antilock.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2006
“1996 gmac sonoma air bag sensor rivet failure. Found drivers side sensor hanging from electrical lead, when I inspected the mounting area I found that the two rivets that secure the sensor were sheared off. I inspected the other sensor mounting and found that one of the two rivets was also sheared off. No front end impact had occurred and no indications were noted. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2006
“ABS anti-brake system has failed. Light continuously stays on. Analysis has determined that three of the four sensors are bad. Vehicle has only 40,000 miles on it. Also analysis has determined that the catalictic converter is defective, causing the service engine soon "light" to be on continuously.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Air · Feb 2004
“My engine has been surging, slow start, rattling, rough idle, hard shifting, and I have had the trasmission replaced 3 times. My dealer told me after an inspection that there was nothing wrong, but it was under warranty at the time. Go figure! I have proof of the new trasmissions. Now the compressor is cracked, and it will not hold coolant, and I can hardly get the truck going after sitting all night. These repairs are costing alot of money, and I am still paying for this truck. It is not worth the cost of repairs.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2003
“The engine has a miss in it sometimes it will quit and you have to wait a half hour for it to start again we have put a new coil, fuel pump, fuel filter, and a module it did not fix it. What can I do to fix it.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2003
“1996 gmc sonoma - intermittent brake lights and four-way flashers. Defective multi-function switch in steering column. *jb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2003
“Consumer stated that while driving and with no warning the windshield wiper worked intermittently. Dealer notified. Ts possible electrical failure caused wipers to fail mostly during rainy weather. *tt”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 26 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L ENGINES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ENGINE OIL PAN CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF BRAKE FLUID LOSS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND THE BRAKE LINE. IF THE CLEARANCE IS 6MM OR LESS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE CLIP AND IF THERE WAS CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND BRAKE LINE, THE FRONT BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.
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.
THE TOP COAT PAINT SEVERELY PEELS DUE TO OVERBAKING OF THE POWDER PRIMER PRIOR TO THE TOP COAT APPLICATION. SINCE THE WINDSHIELD PRIMER AND ADHESIVE ADHERE TO THE TOP COAT PAINT ONTHE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGE, THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING."
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100%.
SOME OF THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH TRANSMISSIONS CONTAINING PARTS WHICH WERE NOT MACHINED TO GM'S SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION MAIN SHAFT OUTPUT TORQUE USING A SPECIAL TOOL. IF THE OUTPUT TORQUE DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.
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 1996 GMC Sonoma reliable?
NHTSA has 148 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 GMC Sonoma. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 GMC Sonoma problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 94,326 miles or less.
Does the 1996 GMC Sonoma have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components: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.