1997 GMC Sonoma problems
Owners have filed 160 complaints about the 1997 GMC Sonoma with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 26.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of visibility at 19.4%.
Complaints160
Crashes20
Fires0
Injuries15
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 26.9% · 43
Visibility 19.4% · 31
Engine and engine cooling 6.3% · 10
Air bags 6.3% · 10
Power train 6.3% · 10
Electrical system 5.6% · 9
Vehicle speed control 4.4% · 7
Fuel system, gasoline 3.1% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 20 describe a crash and 15 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 7 model years of the GMC Sonoma in this data, 1997 draws comparatively few complaints; 1994 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 10 in the last three years against 23 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 54,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Ea94038, abs braking system: when applying the brakes under normal stopping conditions on dry pavement, it feels as though the vehicle has standard brakes, which is causing it alot harder than normal to slow down. The abs warning light has been on. The dealer was notified about this problem. Problem has not been corrected. Please provide any further details. *Ak Service brakes, hydraulic
Whenever brakes were applied, they would make a lot of squealing noises in the front, consumer took to dealer who stated that the noise was normal, front brake pads have been replaced once at 20000 miles and another time at 32000 miles, brakes were not covered under the extended warranty. *Slc Service brakes, hydraulic
Design of 1997 GMC somona has the rear brake lines running on top of the truck frame from the cab to the bed then on to each wheel. Road dirt had accumulated on top of the frame covering the brake lines, causing corrosion and a leak which disabled the braking system of the vehicle. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…