1997 GMC Sonoma problems
NHTSA has received 160 complaints about the 1997 GMC Sonoma, and 28% of them involve brakes. After that come wipers, windshield & visibility (19%) and air bags (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 160 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 28% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 20 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 15 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 54,000 miles 51 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 9 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 19 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 51 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 54,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 20 complaints mention a crash; 15 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 7th most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the GMC Sonoma with enough data (80 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving at approx 35 MPH went to hit brakes, brakes went to floor ,hit vehicle in front. This defect resulted in an accident.
While waiting at a stop light consumer's vehicle was rearended by another vehicle. This caused the driver's seat back to collapse backwards, resulting in loss of visibility. The vehicle was then pushed into another vehicle. The driver's head had went through the rear window. Vehicle at repair shop. Driver had emergency room treatment.
While driving vehicle about 35 MPH consumer was force off the road and crashed front first into a tree. Upon impact, neither driver's or passenger's airbags deployed.
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.
Windshield wiper motor failure wipers work intermittently and some times not at all.I took my vehicle to a repair shop they informed there had been recalls on this condition involving several GM vehicles including mine. When I took my vehicle to a GM repair shop they told me my vehicle was not included in the recall because it was the 4wd model and not the 2wd model I'm shocked that the same year same model but not 4wd is included. I would really like to know why my vehicle is excluded ?