1998 Gmc SONOMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
123 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
67,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 59 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 123 complaints (18.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 11.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 0.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.8% |
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 | 23 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 20 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 15 |
| Seats | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 23; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 20; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 15; Seats: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring: 5; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 20 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 4
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 64 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 16 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 14 |
| 2003 | 27 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 16; 2001: 11; 2002: 14; 2003: 27; 2004: 16; 2005: 8; 2006: 8; 2007: 9; 2008: 4; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 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 10009054 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP, WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010619 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
STARTED OFF WITH A SUDDEN FAILURE TO ACCELERATE ON HIGHWAY THEN CORRECTED ITSELF; ON AND OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS. DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND WAS FAILING TO RETURN TO STARTING POSITION; REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER TO ELIMINATE SOFT PEDAL BUT STILL STICKING AND NOT RETURNING TO STARTING POSITION. CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097310 · 2004-10-20 (October 20, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A WINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED, THEN DOWN SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER DROVE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10097310 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146798 · 2006-01-03 (January 3, 2006)
1998 GMC SONOMA PICK UP WITH 4 CYLINDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE FUEL LINE MOUNTING BRACKET LOCATED ON THE BELL HOUSING RUBBED A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE ALLOWING GASOLINE TO DRIP ON THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE. IT TOOK THREE DEALERS AND A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO FIND THE LEAK. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND REFUSED TO REPAIR OR ASSIST IN REPAIR WITH ESTIMATED COST OF $400-$600. THIS LEAK PRESENTED AN EXTREME FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD. I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF A GAS LINE RUBBING THROUGH ON ANY VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WAY THIS IS ANYTHING BUT…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038915 · 2003-09-15 (September 15, 2003)
WIPERS BROKEN - WORK OCCASSIONALLY WHEN WIRING HARNESS "JIGGLED" - THEN STOP AGAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088750 · 2004-08-29 (August 29, 2004)
WINDSHIELD WIPER ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OR CIRCUIT BOARD FAILS DURING WET WEATHER CAUSING WIPER FAILURE AND LOSS OF VISIBILITY. I PERSONALLY REPLACED FAULTY WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006318 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132286 · 2005-08-10 (August 10, 2005)
DT: THE CALLER SAID THE LINER OF THE EXHAUST PIPE BROKE OFF AND CLOGGED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CAUSING AIR FLOW TO BE BLOCKED AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED AT ANY SPEED, BUT MOSTLY WHEN GOING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TAKING OFF. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER ON JULY 24, 2005 FOR INSPECTION, AND DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. THEY WILL HAVE THE PARTS IN SEPTEMBER. SHE COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THEN. THE CALLER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF STALLING. SHE TALKED TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 101,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10499393 · 2013-02-20 (February 20, 2013)
I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HWY, DRIVING BETWEEN 35-60 MPH BECAUSE OF ICY, SNOWY, SLUSHY, 35 MPH WINDY CONDITIONS. MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING CRAZILY AND MY TRUCK KEPT WANTING TO PULL ITSELF TO THE LEFT. I FELT BUMPING EVERY TIME THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL MADE A REVOLUTION. WITH 1 1/2 HOURS OF DRIVING TIME LEFT I KEPT HOPING I WOULD MAKE IT HOME SAFELY, WHICH I DID. I TOOK MY TRUCK IN THE NEXT DAY ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME ALL FOUR TIRES OF MINE WERE SHOT - CORDS IN TWO TIRES SNAPPED, AND BUBBLING AND THREAD/TREADWEAR IN THE OTHER TWO. …
Owner-reported narrative. 91,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499393 at NHTSA ↗