1996 Gmc SONOMA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10007312 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE, AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009330 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL # 96V035000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 126,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009330 at NHTSA ↗
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 10018056 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
THE CABLE THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE BROKE WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO BOUNCE DOWN THE ROAD. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038124 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPER COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038124 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 ↗
Owner report 10054782 · 2004-01-24 (January 24, 2004)
MY TIMING TENSIONER KEEPS WEARING OUT AFTER ABOUT 15,000 MILES, IT STARTED WHEN I BOUGHT MY TRUCK IN 96 AROUND 25,000 MILES I NOTICE A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE,I TOOK THE TRUCK IS TO THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY TOLD ME I WAS USING THE WRONG OIL FILTER,HA HA. THEY DID SOMETHING TO THE TRUCK BUT THE TICKING STOP UNTIL 36,000 MILES AND THEN MY WARRANTY WAS GONE. I HAVE REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER 7 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK EVER SINCE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED,THE TENSIONER BROKE O…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054782 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
96V035000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission
Reported: 1996-02-22 (February 22, 1996)
SOME OF THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH TRANSMISSIONS CONTAINING PARTS WHICH WERE NOT MACHINED TO GM'S SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence: THESE TRANSMISSIONS COULD SEIZE AND LOCK THE REAR DRIVE WHEELS WHILE THE TRUCK IS BEING DRIVEN CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION MAIN SHAFT OUTPUT TORQUE USING A SPECIAL TOOL. IF THE OUTPUT TORQUE DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V008001 · Visibility:Windshield
Reported: 1997-01-27 (January 27, 1997)
THE TOP COAT PAINT SEVERELY PEELS DUE TO OVERBAKING OF THE POWDER PRIMER PRIOR TO THE TOP COAT APPLICATION. SINCE THE WINDSHIELD PRIMER AND ADHESIVE ADHERE TO THE TOP COAT PAINT ONTHE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGE, THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT STAY IN PLACE AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 212.
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100%.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗97V146001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1997-09-11 (September 11, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L ENGINES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ENGINE OIL PAN CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF BRAKE FLUID LOSS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION.
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LOSS CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND THE BRAKE LINE. IF THE CLEARANCE IS 6MM OR LESS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE CLIP AND IF THERE WAS CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND BRAKE LINE, THE FRONT BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V150001 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 1998-07-01 (July 1, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
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 ↗