RoadVitals

1992 GMC Sonoma

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Jan 7, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 GMC Sonoma, most frequently naming the brakes, transmission and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes1550.0%
  • Transmission310.0%
  • Engine26.7%
  • Fuel system26.7%
  • Other / unspecified26.7%
  • Airbags13.3%
  • Tires & wheels13.3%
  • Body & structure13.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

May 18, 2006
7,800 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A FUEL LEAK CAN OCCUR AT THE VALVE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The 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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Jul 19, 1999
1,125,749 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 99041View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE94046ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS

Opened Jun 17, 1994
Closed Oct 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Jan 7, 2004
Crash reported

AFTER CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT AT 35 MPH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10053566
Incident
Dec 26, 2003
Mileage
30,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 7, 2003

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT SUDDENLY ROLLED BACKWARDS AND KNOCKED THE CONSUMER DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT HURT. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10019392
Incident
May 7, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 21, 2000

IT WAS APPROX. 70 DEG. F. WE WERE GOING ABOUT 60 MPH. ON THE PA. TURNPIKE EAST OF PITTSBURGH. THE TIRES LOOKED FINE THE LAST TIME WE STOPPED. THEY HAD 80 PSI. IN THEM, WHICH IS MAX PRESSURE FOR THOSE TIRES. THE LEFT REAR OUTSIDE TIRE JUST EXPLODED, IT THREW THE ENTIRE TREAD OFF, LEAVING THE DEAD CARCASS ON THE WHEEL. I DON'T HAVE THE DOT NUMBER BECAUSE WHEN WE GOT BACK, I WENT TO THE BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE COMPANY STORE IN MERRILLVILLE, IN. AND COMPLAINED. THEY REPLACED THE TIRE FREE OF CHARGE. MY FATHER BOUGHT THOSE TIRES IN 1997. THEY ARE THE SAME AS WHAT WAS ORIGINAL ON THE MOTORHOME. I AQUIRED IT FROM HIM IN AUGUST. THE BAD PART IS THE DAMAGE TO THE SHEET METAL THE TREAD DID UNDERNEITH THIS THING WHEN IT FLEW OFF. I HAVE TO FIX THAT MYSELF. BY THE WAY, THE TIRE HAD 14/32" TREAD DEPTH ON THE PIECE I BROUGHT BACK TO THEM. THE NEW TIRE MEASURED JUST UNDER 16/32" (TIRESIZE: LT21585R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT21585R16 )

NHTSA ID
734865
Incident
Oct 3, 2000
Brakes
Filed Sep 13, 2000

RIGHT FRONT BRAKES WEAR EXCESSIVELY IN SHOR PERIOD OF TIME. BRAKING BECOMES DIFFICULT AND VEHICLE HAS TENDENCY TO VEER TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. MUST EXERT EXTREME PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL TO BRING VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. RESIDUE FROM BRAKE SHOES IS EVIDENT ON WHEEL

NHTSA ID
731281
Incident
Oct 1, 1997
Transmission
Filed Sep 1, 2000

ON THE THREE OCCASIONS ,WHEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE IS HIGH AND IT IS QUITE HUMID WITH AIR CONDITIONER ON CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WILL FAIL TO THE POINT WHERE THE CLUTCH WILL NOT DISENGAGE THE GEARS. CONSUMER HAS TO TURN OFF IGNITION AND MUST WAIT ABOUT 15 MIN, SO IT CAN COOL DOWN. A PRIVATE TRANSMISSION GARAGE CLAIMED ENGINE WILL GET HOT, CAUSING HYDRALIC CLUTCH TO BOIL WHICH WILL CAUSE LOSS OF ABILITY TO MOVE CLUTCH PLATES ,NOT ALLOWING THE CLUTCH TO DISENGAGE.*AK

NHTSA ID
869307
Fuel system
Filed Jul 18, 2000

DEALER FAILED TO REPAIR WHEN WE COMPLAINED ABOUT FUEL/STARTING/ROUGH ENGINE ON 6/93;2/94;5/94. DLR REPLACED FUEL PUMP/PVC 10/94; COST $600+ FOR FUEL INJECTOR/PLENUM 9/98; AGAIN JUST COST $600+ 7/2000 FOR FUEL INJECTOR/PLENUM. ADVISED GMC HAS WEST COAST ONLY BULLETIN #99034A REF: PROBLEM. GAS EATS THE GASKET/PLENUM AND LOSS OF FUEL REGULATION. NO NOTICE TO OWNERS. **PLENUM/FUEL INJECTOR SPRAYS PURE GAS AND IS FIRE HAZARD**. VEHICLE EMITS FUMES.*AK

NHTSA ID
725660
Incident
Sep 23, 1998
Brakes
Filed Jul 15, 2000

FRONT BRAKES EVIDENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. MORE THAN 50% WEAR IS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
725453
Incident
Mar 1, 2000
Engine
Filed Nov 9, 1999

THE ORIGINAL EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES. THIS WAS PAID FOR BY THE OWNER. THE REPLACED MANIFOLD FAILED IN THE WINTER OF 1998/99 AND HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN.

NHTSA ID
714552

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

236111

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CPI ENGINE NOISE (INSTALL NEW GEARS/NEW MEM-CALS). *SD

GM161514

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

END GATE LATCH RATTLE (INSTALL REVISED STRIKER). *TW

GM561204

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

WATER LEAK AT THE A/C RECIRCULATION DOOR (INSTALL NEW HOOD HINGE SEAL). *TW

461602A

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

REAR SEAT RATTLES/LOOSENESS (INSTALL REAR SEAT LATCH). *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Sonoma by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006000
2005100
2004011
2003391039.9
2002570034.3
2001891147.5
20001364158.0
1999571043.8
19981564049.4
19971113259.3
19961489056.8
19952137262.6
19942246159.1
1993584161.5
1992Viewing253158.5
1991292158.1
1990100
1989000
1988000
1987000
1986000
1985000
1984100
1983000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.