1995 GMC Sonoma Owner Complaints

I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I94 WHEN MY TRUCK SUDDENLY BOUNCED UP JUMPING AND COMING BACK DOWN ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP. AS I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR I SAW MY SPARE TIRE BOUNCING OFF INTO A NEARBY FIELD. THE SPARE WAS HELD UNDER THE TRUCK BED BY A STEEL CABLE WHICH LATER I FOUND BROKE. THE TIRE HAD JAMMED UNDER THE TRUCK BED RUPTURING THE STEEL GASOLINE FILLER TUBE. I EXPLORED THE RUPTURE CLOSED AND HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE RETAINING ASSEMBLY UNDER THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10361499

Incident

Dec 8, 2008

Mileage

95,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GMC SONOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT THEN ABRUPTLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE REAR WHEELS CONTINUED SPINNING AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO IDLE AT EXTREMELY HIGH RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER; NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,210. UPDATED 5/12/10 *CN WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT, AT TIMES THE ENGINE WOULD ABRUPTLY GO TO FULL THROTTLE. UPDATED 06/04/10.*JB

NHTSA ID

10321610

Incident

Jan 15, 2006

Mileage

148,000 mi

1995 GMC SONOMA DIES WHILE DRIVING, ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAIL. HAVE TO PUT IN NEUTRAL TO RESTART WHILE MOVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10234602

Incident

Jul 16, 2008

Mileage

98,000 mi

I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 1995 GMC WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY,AND ONE DAY,ON MY FIRST DAY BACK TO WORK AS A TEACHER,IT RAINED HORRIBLY AND THE WIPERS WOULDN'T WORK. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO FIRESTONE TO GET THEM FIXED. NOW I READ THERE WAS A RECALL AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFO. AND HAVE LIVED AT THE SAME PLACE FOR 18YRS.. SEWELL MOTORS IN DALLAS,TX SOLD ME THE VEHICLE IN 1995. *TR

NHTSA ID

10230200

Incident

Aug 14, 2002

Mileage

79,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE WIPERS CAN STOP CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF VISIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10217786

Incident

Jan 20, 2008

FUEL TANK LEAKING WHERE PLASTIC SHEILD COVERS TANK. DEFECTIVE DESIGN TRAPPED WATER AND ROAD DEBRIS AGAINST INADEQUATELY PROTECTED FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF FUEL CONTAINMENT SYSTEM. CONCERN THAT LEAKING FUEL TANK COULD PROPOSE FIRE HAZZARD. *AK

NHTSA ID

10090435

Incident

Sep 1, 2003

Mileage

102,000 mi

THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CABLE LOOKED LIKE IT SNAPPED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10029622

WHEN THE CONSUMER PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT STUCK OPEN, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WHICH SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID

10016064

Incident

Apr 15, 2003

THE MULTI-FUNCTION/COMBINATION SWITH THAT CONTROLS THE HIGH/LOW BEAMS, WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THIS CAUSED MY TAILLIGHTS TO STOP FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL WITH HEADLIGHTS ON, TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK, REVERSE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. I DRIVE A 1995 GMC SONOMA SHORT BED, STANDARD CAB, SL PACKAGE. 5 SPEED MT, NON-TILT, NO CRUISE, NO POWER ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID

10028401

Incident

Jun 10, 2003

Mileage

109,950 mi

WHILE DRIVING AND AND WITHOUT WARNING SIDE MIRROR WILL FALL OFF, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10021838

Incident

May 26, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 68 MPH, CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID

10001720

Incident

Apr 8, 2000

Mileage

95,000 mi

THE PLASTIC STONE SHIELD IN FRONT OF THE FUEL TANK, CONTAINED DEBRIS AND MOISTURE, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO RUST AND THEN LEAK. TS *JB

NHTSA ID

8022329

Incident

Nov 4, 2002

CONSUMERS STATES THE VEHICLE HAD A MAJOR FAILURE TO OCCUR WITH THE CYLINDER HEAD. GMC HAS DECLINED TO RESPOND TO CONSUMERS INQUIRIES. CONSUMER HAS ALL THE PARTS AND WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE METAL FAILURE. *JG

NHTSA ID

568061

CYLENDER HEAD CRACKED, CAUSING LEAKING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID

8018501

Incident

Sep 1, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, HOSE FLIPPED OFF THAT WAS CONECTED WITH ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT BY THE TIME HE GOT THE VEHICLE STOPPED, ALL THE OIL HAD DRAINED OUT, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FREEZE UP. *SLC

NHTSA ID

8015865

Incident

Dec 1, 2001

MY HUSBAND FELL ASLEEP AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 AM AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. THE DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND HE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, SUSTAINED A BRUISED HEART AND NECK INJURY. WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL ER, TRANSFERRED TO ICU; HE IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL NOW, BEING WATCHED CLOSELY FOR ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER ACCIDENTS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL PICKUP WHERE THE AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE? OR IS IT FAULTY EQUIPMENT ON JUST THIS VEHICLE?*AK

NHTSA ID

764354

Incident

Jul 10, 2002

THE REMOTE OIL FILTER ADAPTER ON THIS VEHICLE IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND THE MOUNTING BOLTS ARE STEEL. ANY KID THAT PASSES SCIENCE CLASS CAN TELL YOU THAT THESE TWO METALS TOGETHER WILL CAUSE A BI-METALLIC REACTION THAT WILL SEVERELY AND QUICKLY CORRODE THE ALUMINUM, WHICH IT HAS. THIS CORROSION HAS CAUSED THE MOUNTING HOLES ON THE ADAPTER TO FLAKE OFF AND NOW ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF THE MOUNTING BOLT/NUT IS HOLDING THE ASSEMBLY. EVENTUALLY, THE MOUNT WILL COMPLETELY FAIL AND THE ADAPTER MAY FALL INTO SOME MOVING ENGINE PART OR ONTO THE ROAD. THIS COULD SEVER THE OIL FILTER HOSES AND POSSIBLY SPRAY OIL ON THE HOT ENGINE WHICH IS A FIRE RISK. THIS OIL FILTER ADAPTER SHOULD BE MADE OUT OF MATERIALS THAT ARE COMPATIBLE AND WILL NOT CORRODE FROM BI-METALLIC REACTION.*AK

NHTSA ID

763587

Incident

May 13, 2002

THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT RECLINER LEVER DOES NOT OPERATE RECLINER. DUE TO IMPROPER (NONE) CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE THE DOOR (STORAGE POCKET) AND THE RECLINER LEVER, THE METAL THAT HOLDS THE LEVER IS BROKEN.*AK

NHTSA ID

763585

WHEN BRINGING THE TRUCK IN FOR OTHER SERVICE THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VISIBLE PART OF THE TANK WAS INTACT HOWEVER, A PLASTIC SHIELD COVERS THE FRONT PORTION OF THE TANK. REMOVAL OF THE SHIELD REVEALED PACKED DEBRIS, THE TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THE CAUSE OF THE CORROSION WAS THE FACT THE PLASTIC SHIELD ON THE FRONT OF THE TANK TRAPPED DEBRIS AGAINST THE TANK AND CAUSED CORROSION FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE TANK. THIS DESIGN INDUCES CORROSION AND NO REASONABLE INSPECTION WOULD FOREWARN OF THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER, MR. JOE CHAPMAN OPINED THERE WAS NO RECOURSE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS 7 YEARS OLD. FOLLOWING THIS RATIONALE OWNERS SHOULD EXPECT TO REPLACE FUEL TANKS WITH GREATER FREQUENCY THAN EXHAUST SYSTEMS. MR. CHAPMAN DID PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER. THAT NUMBER WAS CALLED AND A LINDA ROBERTSON LISTENED AND STATED "DESIGNS ARE NEVER DEFECTIVE." AFTER MORE DISCUSSION SHE PHONE THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED MY VISIT ADDING HE NEVER ADMITTED THE DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE.( TRUE ONLY THE TECHNICIAN MADE SUCH A COMMENT. THIS SHOULD BE A MOOT POINT TO ANYONE LOOKING AT THE DESIGN OR THE PARTS AT ISSUE. I ASKED MS. ROBERTSON TO WHOM COULD I WRITE FOR FURTHER REVIEW. SHE SAID NO ONE. HER ONLY OFFER WAS THAT SHE CREATED A FILE OF MY COMPLAINT. THE NUMBER THEREOF BEING C06605340. THIS DESIGN AND CONSEQUENT LEAKAGE PRESENTS SIGNIFICANT FIRE HAZARD AS WELL AS AIR POLLUTION AND THE SEEPAGE OF MTBE INTO GROUND WATER. GMC TOUTS THE DURABILTY OF THEIR PRODUCTS. THE SERVICE MANAGER'S ATTITUDE CONTRADICTS THAT. IN FACT I AM SHOPPING FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE IN A FEW MONTHS. THIS EXPERIENCE IS NOT ENCOURAGING. I HAVE TAKEN DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE SHIELD AND WILL LIKELY TAKE PHOTOS OF THE TANK AFTER IT IS REMOVED. NLM

NHTSA ID

759953

Incident

Mar 1, 2002

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE SPARE TIRE CABLE SNAPPED, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO PULL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *YH

NHTSA ID

8005194

Incident

Sep 30, 1997

CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION FAILURE. *JG

NHTSA ID

564520

Incident

Jan 1, 2000

CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL WHILE DRIVING, AND VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH. MECHANIC TOOK OFF PLASTIC COVER THAT PROTECTED FUEL TANK. IT WAS FILLED WITH MUD AND WATER WHICH HAD EATEN A HOLE IN FUEL TANK. *AK CONSUMER CAN NOT PAY COST FOR REPLACING FUEL TANK, THEREFORE, CONSUMER APPLIED EPOXY AS NEEDED, CONSUMER RECEIEVED LETTER THAT BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE, CONSUMER HAS CONCERNS WITH BRAKES ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. *TT

NHTSA ID

899088

Incident

Nov 1, 1999

WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. THEY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE CONTACT DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID

896808

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

751406

MECHANIC STATED THIS FAILURE VERY COMMON W/2.2L ENGINES, GMC REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE MATERIAL DEFECT. *AK DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS----------750776.

NHTSA ID

10006482