1996 Gmc SONOMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
70 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
94,326 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 70 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 17.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 14 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 7 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 3 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 14; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 7; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 7; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 58 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 22 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1996: 9; 2000: 22; 2001: 14; 2002: 7; 2003: 7; 2004: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 3; 2009: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10009331 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
THE BRAKE SYSTEM LEAKED FLUID WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013979 · 2003-04-04 (April 4, 2003)
1996 GMC SONOMA - INTERMITTENT BRAKE LIGHTS AND FOUR-WAY FLASHERS. DEFECTIVE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH IN STEERING COLUMN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 82,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072453 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)
MY ENGINE HAS BEEN SURGING, SLOW START, RATTLING, ROUGH IDLE, HARD SHIFTING, AND I HAVE HAD THE TRASMISSION REPLACED 3 TIMES. MY DEALER TOLD ME AFTER AN INSPECTION THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, BUT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME. GO FIGURE! I HAVE PROOF OF THE NEW TRASMISSIONS. NOW THE COMPRESSOR IS CRACKED, AND IT WILL NOT HOLD COOLANT, AND I CAN HARDLY GET THE TRUCK GOING AFTER SITTING ALL NIGHT. THESE REPAIRS ARE COSTING ALOT OF MONEY, AND I AM STILL PAYING FOR THIS TRUCK. IT IS NOT WORTH THE COST OF REPAIRS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10072453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550366 · 2000-01-11 (January 11, 2000)
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168069 · 2006-09-12 (September 12, 2006)
1996 GMAC SONOMA AIR BAG SENSOR RIVET FAILURE. FOUND DRIVERS SIDE SENSOR HANGING FROM ELECTRICAL LEAD, WHEN I INSPECTED THE MOUNTING AREA I FOUND THAT THE TWO RIVETS THAT SECURE THE SENSOR WERE SHEARED OFF. I INSPECTED THE OTHER SENSOR MOUNTING AND FOUND THAT ONE OF THE TWO RIVETS WAS ALSO SHEARED OFF. NO FRONT END IMPACT HAD OCCURRED AND NO INDICATIONS WERE NOTED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 166,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 735462 · 2000-10-30 (October 30, 2000)
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, ELECTRICAL PROBLEM RELATED TO POSITIONING OF MOTOR(ELECTRIC). I WAS TOLD BY AN AUTOPARTS DEALER THAT THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS OF BAD MOTORS. I KNOW OF TWO FRIENDS WITH SIMILAR VEHICELS (CHEVY BLAZER AND CHEVY S-10 TRUCK) WHO HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. WIPERS WILL WORK FINE SOMETIMES AND THEN JUST STOP IN MID-STROKE. I WAS DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS WHEN FIRST OCCURRED. I MOVED WIRING AND THE WIPERS WOULD CUT ON AND OFF, I FOUND THAT IT IS THE WIPER MOTOR HOUSING AND NOT THE WIRES. WEDGED…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 732811 · 2000-09-29 (September 29, 2000)
TRANSMISSION FAILS/LOCKS/STALLS DUE TO SPRING THAT ENGAGES TORQUE CONVERTER DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGHT TOLERANCE FOR THIS TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION SHOP REPAIRED 4 TRANSMISSIONS WITH IDENTICAL DEFECT IN THE SMALL TOWN OF LAFAYETTE JUST THIS PAST WEEK. THIS DEFECT MUST BE QUITE WIDESPREAD!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 732811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 875108 · 2000-11-16 (November 16, 2000)
VEHICLE WILL STOP WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. AT TIMES, VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE VEHICLE STALL SIX TIMES. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE VEHICLE CAN BE DECLARED LEMON. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 875108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979753 · 1996-02-26 (February 26, 1996)
WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, TRUCK LOST ALL POWER SHUTTING DOWN W/BRAKES AND STEERING BECOMING NON-FUNCTIONAL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039329 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
THE ENGINE HAS A MISS IN IT SOMETIMES IT WILL QUIT AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT A HALF HOUR FOR IT TO START AGAIN WE HAVE PUT A NEW COIL, FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, AND A MODULE IT DID NOT FIX IT. WHAT CAN I DO TO FIX IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039329 at NHTSA ↗