1994 Gmc SONOMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
119 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
109,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 56 of 119 complaints (47.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 63 | 52.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 2.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.8% |
| Steering behavior | 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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 56 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 14 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 56; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 14; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 13; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 6; Suspension:Front: 3; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 105 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 37 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 2000 | 26 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
1995: 37; 1996: 12; 2000: 26; 2001: 15; 2002: 9; 2003: 10; 2004: 2; 2005: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 63 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006899 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THEH VEHICLE TO SLIDE INTO A FENCE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006899 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011573 · 2003-03-13 (March 13, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *JB FORD RECALLED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ALUMINUM HEAD/STEEL BLOCK AND COULD THE CAUSE OF THE GASKET GOING OUT. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016322 · 2003-04-22 (April 22, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING. THEY WILL SOMETIMES START WORKING AGAIN IF YOU JIGGLE THE CONNECTOR WIRE TO THE WIPER MOTOR. THE 1995 AND NEWER MODELS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE 94 YEAR. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016897 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPING OR LOCKING UP INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN USE. I'VE HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES, BUT HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AS IT IS A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I HEARD ABOUT A GM RECALL CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. I NOTIFIED GM AND THEY SAID THAT MY VEHICLE 1994 GMC SONOMA VIN [XXX] WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ONE COVERED BY THE RECALL. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018908 · 2003-05-19 (May 19, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING AT RANDOM. I HAD THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED (CIRCUIT BOARD SOLDER/CONNECTION FAILURE) AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM COVERED BY TWO (1998 AND APR 03) RECALLS, BUT THIS TRUCK IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR SOME REASON, DESPITE BEING THE SAME DESIGN AS THE 95-ON MODEL THAT IS COVERED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021043 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)
WIPERS WILL STOP WORKING AND THEN BEGIN WORKING AGAIN. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR SOME TIME. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021710 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
EVERY TIME THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP IMMEDIATELY. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021740 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. ALSO THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR BUT CONSUMER'S VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021740 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
97V096001 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1997-06-12 (June 12, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Reported: 1999-07-19 (July 19, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗