RoadVitals

1993 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.
58
Latest May 19, 2003
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.
4
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.
11
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 58 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 GMC Sonoma, most frequently naming the brakes, transmission and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 5 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

  • Brakes3247.1%
  • Transmission710.3%
  • Engine710.3%
  • Electrical57.4%
  • Driver assistance45.9%
  • Interior & seats45.9%
  • Visibility22.9%
  • Steering22.9%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
06E043000

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
06E041000

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.
R&B, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
99V193000

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

View all 58
Transmission
Filed May 19, 2003

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS STATED IN RECALL#94V09300, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10020041
Incident
May 10, 2003
Seat belts
Filed Sep 24, 2002

SEAT BELTS WEAR EXCESSIVLY ON DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLES WITH FRONT BUCKET SEATS.THIS I BELIEVE IS DUE TO SEAT BELT RUBBING AND FRAYING ON THE COVER FOR THE BELT ON THE FLOORBOARDS ...MY VEHICLE HAS OVER 100K MI.BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS AND POSSIBLY 50 OR 60 K MILES... THE AREA THAT FRAYS IS APPROXIMATELY 5 OR 6 INCHES BEHIND THE RETRACTION STOP ON THE SEAT BELT ...APPEARS ONLY DRIVER SIDE IS AFFECTED. NLM

NHTSA ID
767665
Transmission
Filed Feb 2, 2001

WHEN VEHICLE WAS OWNED BY OTHER FAMILY MEMBER, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A "NO PARK" CONDITION. A CRASHED TOOK PLACE, $2700 IN DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE. AT THE TIME WE WERE UN AWARE OF A RECALL THAT WAS OUT THERE FOR THIS CONDITION. WASN'T WE FOUND THIS OUT, WE CONTACTED GMC. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. WHEN THIS ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. THEY WOULD NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. I WANTED TO CONTACT THE NHTSA TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE CONDITION OF THE TRANSMISSION AND SPEAK TO REPRESENTITIVE. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ID
740335
Incident
Aug 15, 2000
BrakesEngine
Filed Dec 3, 2000

DEALER FAILED, GM CALLED BUT STEVE, SAID IT WAS ALL IN MY HEAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DERRY BROTHERS IN BURLINTON, IOWA , BUT STILL HAVING PROBLEMS, HAD TO PIN THE BRAKE CALIPER PINS AND PUT SET SCREW TO HOLD THEM IN, REPLACED WATER PUMP 3 TIMES BRAKES 24 TIMES, CALIPERS 3 TIMES, FRONT ROTTORS 3 TIMES,AND REAR DRUMS 3 TIMES, ELECTICAL COMPONETS EVERY 6MO TO YEAR, NOW RADIATOR IS GOING GO THROUGH 4 TIRES EVERY 4 TO 6 MO,AND OTHER PROBLEMS WITH DEALER!!!!!!

NHTSA ID
737242
Incident
Aug 12, 1993
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 7, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. HAD A BLOWUP THE FIRST TIME. THEN, PULLED OVER AND SAW TREAD OFF THE TIRE. UNIROYAL P235/75 R15.*AK THE CUSTOMER STATES HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND GOT IN THE DITCH WHEN THE TIRE BLEW UP. *YH

NHTSA ID
869933
Incident
Sep 7, 2000
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 24, 2000

THE MAIN COMPUTER FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ID
553988
Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2000

THE EGR VALVE GETS FULL OF CARBON AND, ABOUT EVERY 1000 MILES, CAUSE THE TRUCK TO QUIT AND THE BRAKES TO STOP OPERATING, PUTTING OUR SAFETY AT RISK. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED FROM MY FATHER-IN-LAW AND HE DID NOT ENCOUNTER THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE SAME MECHANIC THAT HE DID AND HE HAS CLEANED OUT THE CARBON TWICE NOW. BUT I TOOK IT TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAID THEY HAVE FOUND THAT AROUND THE HIGH 90,000 AND 100,000 MILEAGE MARK, THIS EGR VALVE IS A PROBLEM IN THIS TRUCK ENGINE. IT CONTINUES TO BE A MORE FREQUENT PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY OBVIOUS ON LONGER TRIPS. THE TRUCK SIMPLY QUITS WHEN YOU DECELERATE TO COME TO A STOP AND THE BRAKES GIVE OUT. YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY RESTART THE ENGINE OR TRY COASTING INTO THE STOP, PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND KEEP THE ENGINE REVING, SO IT HOPEFULLY WON'T STOP. *AK

NHTSA ID
725815
Incident
May 3, 2000
Steering
Filed Feb 17, 2000

WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED THE DEALER MADE THE COMMENT "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM" WITH THE STEERING COLUMNS. IF YOU CAN SEND ME A E-MAIL ADDRESS I CAN SEND PHOTOS OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE CRACKS IN THE METAL. THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT 3/4 OF AN INCH OF METAL HOLDING THE STEERING COLUMN TOGETHER. I HATE TO THINK WHAT THE RESULTS WOULD BE IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURED IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION. JOE GILARDI. *AK

NHTSA ID
718901
Incident
Feb 11, 1999

Manufacturer communications

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

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

94269

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

LETTER ANNOUNCING THE RE-ISSUE OF PRODUCT CAMPAIGN 93-C-52. *TW

01423

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

95-C-52 CAMPAIGN BULLETIN. *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
1993Viewing584161.5
1992253158.5
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.