1997 Gmc SONOMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
69 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
66,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 27 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 69 complaints (24.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 20.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.9% |
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 | 17 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 17; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Air Bags: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Electrical System: 3; Fuel System, Other: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 42 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 | 11 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
2000: 11; 2001: 12; 2002: 12; 2003: 11; 2004: 5; 2005: 8; 2006: 1; 2008: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2014: 2
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 10008304 · 2003-03-01 (March 1, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. LATEST INCIDENT WAS IN HEAVY SNOW AND VISIBILITY WAS LOST. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE 1996 S-10 AND SONOMA WERE RECALLED FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL ON THE 1997. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017686 · 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKED SPORADICALLY, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021649 · 2003-05-27 (May 27, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING THEN SUDDENLY COME BACK ON. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. *NLM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021649 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023663 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
THE STEAL CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE BECAME FRAYED AND STARTED TO BREAK ONE STEEL STRAND AT A TIME UNTIL THERE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE. THIS CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM UNDER VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. THIS PRESENTS A "SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD" FOR ANY VEHICLES FOLLOWING AT THE TIME OF A FAILURE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 33,226 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024196 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)
SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING TIRE TO FALL ONTO ROADWAY, ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024196 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031874 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, DEALER WAS REPLACING THE ENGINE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037752 · 2003-08-27 (August 27, 2003)
WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITHOUT WARNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043608 · 2003-10-26 (October 26, 2003)
I HAVE A 1997 GMC SONOMA S.N. [XXX]. I HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF THINGS WRONG WITH IT. AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) WENT OUT, THE MOTOR MOUND BROKE, THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN, THE BRAKES FAIL, THE VALVES ARE TAPPING, MAIN FRONT BEARING SEAL IS LEAKING, BLINKERS ARE NOT WORKING,OIL IS LEAKING ON TOP OF ENGINE BY A/C, WATER IS LEAKING FROM HEATING COIL, WATER PUMP IS OUT NOW,GOD THAT IS ONLY SOME OF THE THINGS. I HAVE HAD IT 1YR. 7 MON. WHAT CAN I DO? I GOT THE WARRANTY. AND THANK GOD I DID. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043608 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 ↗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 ↗