1998 GMC Sonoma: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 156 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (34% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks 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 156 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 gmc sonoma. While driving 50 mph, the air bags deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 264,477.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“Driver was going approx. 40mph down the rural highway in heavy rain and the truck in front of her came to a stop. By the time the driver of the sonoma saw the truck it was too late to stop and not hit the stopped vehicle. The driver of the sonoma hit the stopped truck and totaled the sonoma. At no point did the driver airbag deploy. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2012
“Passenger seat does not lock into place. Passengers seat slide forward and backward , and air bag light stayed on , left turn signal light and brake don't come on. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 gmc sonoma. The contact stated that there was rusting underneath the vehicle, causing the frame to separate into two pieces. The dealer and manufacturer were notified, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 100,000...updated 09/15/11 *bf updated 10/05/11”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2011
“I lost the tread on one of my toyo tires as I was driving down the freeway. It completely separated from the tire! It was the passenger front tire. Thankfully, I was able to steer to the emergency lane and call for help. I've already had it replaced but the dealer I went to (discount tires) where I purchased the defective one told me they are good tires and convinced me to buy another toyo. Now I'm worried. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 gmc sonoma. The contact stated that the windshield wipers would stop working sporadically. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 60,000. ..updated 09/15/11 *bf the windshield wipers periodically stopped working in the rain. Updated 09/28/11*jb”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2010
“I have not had any wrecks or anything like that, yet. My turn signals don't work properly one of my low been headlights keeps blowing and my taillights don't work. I have changed the bulbs just for them to blow when I test them. And no I do not touch the glass on the headlights. I seen there was a recall on the lighting system and on the wiring system, could this be my problem? *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 gmc sonoma. In march of 1998, the windshield wipers began working intermittently. In november of 2008, while driving approximately 60 mph in the rain, the windshield wipers stopped working completely. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and they stated that the wiper module and wiper motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was too old for them to be liable for the repairs. The current mileage was 137,000 and failure mileage was 10,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 gmc sonoma. The contact stated that the windshield wipers stopped working. The dealer initially stated that they would approve the repair; however, they are currently refusing to pay for the repair. NHTSA campaign id number 03v159000 (visibility:windshield, wiper/washer) was referenced. The current mileage was 50,000 and failure mileage was 42,000. Updated 09/13/08. *lj the windshield wipers failed twice. The dealer replaced the wiper motor board. Updated 09/17/08. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2008
“Windshield wipers fail to operate on occasion during inclement weather. Recall issued for other gm vehicles citing problem circuit control boards to wiper motors. Very hazardous condition when driving in heavy rain conditions and wipers fail to operate. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THE DEALER AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED TO THEM UNTIL THE DEALER CAN REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
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: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.
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 1998 GMC Sonoma reliable?
NHTSA has 156 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 GMC Sonoma. The most complained-about area is visibility (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 GMC Sonoma problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,440 miles or less.
Does the 1998 GMC Sonoma have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring:front underhood. 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.