RoadVitals

1994 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.
224
Latest Dec 25, 2020
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.
6
Latest Mar 12, 2007
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.
20
5 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 224 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 GMC Sonoma, most frequently naming the brakes, visibility and engine categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 14 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

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
07E021000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

Mar 12, 2007
742 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The 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.
DELPHIView 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

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 224
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 25, 2020

DRIVING MY 1994 SONOMA AT APPROX 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE GAS PEDAL STARTED TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY FOOT AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN (AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TAKING OVER). I THINK THAT I THEN TAPPED THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE WENT BACK TO NORMAL SPEED, WHICH WAS TO DECELERATE AS MY FOOT WAS STILL OFF THE GAS PEDAL. I DO NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS IN THE ON POSITION. I HAVE SINCE SWITCHED CRUISE CONTROL TO OFF POSITION AND DISCONNECTED CRUISE CONTROL MODULE HARNESS, AND WILL LEAVE IT DISCONNECTED.

NHTSA ID
11384921
Incident
Dec 24, 2020
Mileage
106,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 19, 2008

ABS LIGHT IS ON AND DEALER CLAIMS MY 1994 GMC SONOMA NEEDS A $2,200 ABS COMPUTER REPLACED. THERE WAS RECALL ON THE ABS MODULE IN 7/00. I BELIEVE THIS RECALL AFFECTED THE ABS COMPUTER THAT NOW NEEDS REPLACING AND I'M ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE FROM GMC ON SHARING THE REPLACEMENT COSTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10221762
Incident
Mar 19, 2008
Mileage
91,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 4, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GMC SONOMA. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING WHILE IN USE. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE WIPERS CAN TAKE 30 SECONDS TO ACTIVATE AGAIN, BUT OTHER TIMES, THE CONTACT HAS TO WIGGLE AND MOVE THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT NO RECALL WAS AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THEY BEGAN RECALLING THE 1995 MODELS. THE WIPERS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10220007
Incident
Nov 1, 2007
Mileage
120,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 19, 2007
Crash reported

I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT (GOING APPROX 20 MPH) WHEN THE THROTTLE STUCK AND QUICKLY SURGED TO RED LINE. I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TACHOMETER WAS PEGGED OUT. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE (~8 YEARS AGO) WHILE I WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A RURAL HIGHWAY. DURING THAT INCIDENT I ALSO SHUT OFF THE IGNITION BUT ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL AND ENDED UP IN THE DITCH. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE DURING THAT INCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS GOING ABOUT 60 MPH AND HAD NO POWER BRAKES SINCE THE IGNITION WAS OFF. I WAS UNHURT BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED DURING THAT INCIDENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING AT THAT TIME. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE NOW. *JB

NHTSA ID
10182935
Incident
Feb 16, 2007
Mileage
154,180 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 18, 2005

WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY; WORSENED WITH RAINFALL AMOUNT. REPLACED WIPER MOTOR AND CONDITION PERSISTED. CONTACTED GMC WITH CONCERN ON 10/18/2005 (FILE #1-369184131). *JB

NHTSA ID
10140102
Incident
Sep 10, 2003
Mileage
113,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Jul 25, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1994 GMC SONOMA. THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. SOMETIMES WHEN SHE IS TRYING TO STOP, IT WILL EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE HER 125 DOLLARS TO LOOK AT IT. IN TWO MONTHS SHE HAS HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED THREE TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS, PADS, DRUMS, EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE AND NOTHING SEEMED TO HELP. THE ABS LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON. GMC STATED THE CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN WITH THE RECALL BECAUSE HER VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND A LOT OF MILES ON IT. THE SHOCKS HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS ARE 99I006000 AND 99V193000. *JB

NHTSA ID
10130004
Incident
Nov 15, 2004
Mileage
115,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 13, 2005

DT: THIS IS A GMC S15 SONOMA 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS ONE OF THE 4 WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10128652
Incident
Jul 19, 2004
Mileage
170,000 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 26, 2005

AT 35 MPH PASSANGER LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED AND RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE BEING DISABLED AND TOWED FROM FROM ROAD. 94 SONOMA 2.2 LITER WITH 180,000 MILES. I HAD NO CLUE AS TO THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO RUN FINE JUST BEFORE THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10126596
Incident
Jun 22, 2005
Mileage
180,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

240699

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

SUBJECT REGARDING ABS 3-SENSOR EBC4 - SPECIAL POLICY. *TT

776001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

INFORMATION CONCERNING ENGINE KNOCK/RATTLE OR TAP NOISE BEFORE ENGINE HAS REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR UNDER LIGHT LOAD CONDITIONS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE (REPLACE PISTON AND/OR ROD ASSEMBLIES). AK

776001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

KNOCK, RATTLE OR TAP NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BEFORE THE ENGINE HAS REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR UNDER LIGHT LOAD CONDITIONS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE KNOCK, RATTLE OR TAP NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BEFORE THE ENGINE HAS REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR UNDER LIGHT LOAD CONDITIONS AT RATURE (REPLACE PISTON AND/OR ROD ASSEMBLIES). *TW

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

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
1994Viewing2246159.1
1993584161.5
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.