RoadVitals

1993 GMC Sonoma Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 GMC Sonoma, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes3247.1%
  • Transmission710.3%
  • Engine710.3%
  • Electrical57.4%
  • Driver assistance45.9%
  • Interior & seats45.9%
  • Visibility22.9%
  • Steering22.9%
  • Suspension22.9%
  • Tires & wheels11.5%
  • Seat belts11.5%
  • Powertrain (other)11.5%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

32
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 3, 2000

THE MAIN COMPUTER FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ID 553988 · filed Aug 24, 2000
All 32 reports naming brakes

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 19, 2003

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 · filed Feb 2, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 3, 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 · filed Jul 22, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE MAIN COMPUTER FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ID 553988 · filed Aug 24, 2000

POSSIBLE ALERNATOR FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE. NLM

NHTSA ID 548497 · filed Sep 15, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED WAS WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE REPORT FOR THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 94V-93000. THE TRUCK WAS IN PARK IDLING AND IT SURGED FORWARD HITTING A WALL IN A PARKING GARAGE. I HAVE CONTACTED GMC AND THEY HAVE ISSUED ME A FILE # OF 99311914, BUT SAID THAT I MUST CONTACT YOU IN ORDER TO GO ANY FURTHER WITH THIS ISSUE. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK

NHTSA ID 716318 · filed Dec 21, 1999

WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, VEHICLE ACCELERATES AND GOES INTO OVERDRIVE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL STICK EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DRIVER MUST KEEP TAPPING THE BRAKES TO GET VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN . VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID 810920 · filed Apr 14, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER WAS REARENDED WHEN DRIVER SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED, CAUSING BACK INJUIRES.*AK

NHTSA ID 846484 · filed Sep 2, 1999

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE, VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER BARELY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO TROUBLE WITH THE LOCKS. CONSUMER PUT THE FIRE OUT. FIRE DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THE CONSUEMR SUFFERED MINOR BURNS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID 830138 · filed Nov 4, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING HOT WATER HEATER BLEW UP INSIDE OF THE CAB, CAUSING THE CAB TO FILL UP WITH STEAM, AND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF WINDOWS. MECHANIC SAID HEATER WAS CORRODED. *AK

NHTSA ID 856601 · filed Feb 9, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK

NHTSA ID 713644 · filed Oct 21, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 17, 2000

ABS: BRAKES GRAB; WEARS UNEVENLY; ERRATIC STEERING; NO WARNING. TT

NHTSA ID 976267 · filed Dec 7, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE FRONT END SUSPENSION FRAME PULLS TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. SPEED NOT A FACTOR. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK

NHTSA ID 846355 · filed Sep 1, 1999

VEHICLE MOVES FOWARD WHEN STARTING/TURNING OFF IGNITION EVEN WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE PEDAL. *SKD

NHTSA ID 485472 · filed Jun 20, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 7, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 24, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ABS BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE. WOULD FADE OUT, AND STOPPING DISTANCE HAS BEEN INCREASED. VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED IN REVERSE. WHEN IN DRIVE POSITION WOULD RAMBLE & LOSE POWER. ALSO, THERE ARE DEFECTIVE VALVES IN ENGINE. ALSO DEFECTIVE DRIVESHAFT RUBBER BEARINGS CAUSE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO MIDAS & NOT DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ID 853605 · filed Dec 2, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .