VehicleVerdict

1994 GMC Sonoma brakes problems

The 1994 GMC Sonoma has 154 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 52% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

154

Brakes complaints

52%

Share of year

20

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Related recalls

99I006000BrakesJuly 19, 1999 · 2,400,000 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OR MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3-SENSOR ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) EBC4 UNITS.

Consequence

THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS ON CERTAIN MULTIPLE SURFACES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH OPERATES THE ABS UNIT ON SOME VEHICLES, OR REPLACE THE COMPUTER ON OTHERS TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ABS ON THESE SURFACES.

99V193000BrakesJuly 19, 1999 · 1,125,749 units

Defect

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.

What owners report

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, ABOUT 20-25 MPH IN A MALL PARKING LOT, THE PEDAL RELEASED AND WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT A MOVING CAR. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. DEALER STATED THAT BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ALRIGHT. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 25, 1997 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1994 GMC Sonoma have?

NHTSA has 154 complaints about the 1994 GMC Sonoma brakes — 52% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1994 GMC Sonoma brakes?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 99I006000, 99V193000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.