Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 190 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median Sonoma year — the 1996 model ranks #4 of 17 Sonoma years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
Brakes leads the complaint categories with 59 reports (31% of the total).
190
NHTSA complaints
9
Recalls
0
Investigations
34
Crash-involved
1
Fires reported
9
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 59 | 31% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 31 | 16% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 21 | 11% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 17 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 10 | 5% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 9 | 5% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 8 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 7 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 6 | 3% | — flat |
| Seats | 6 | 3% | — flat |
| Other | 4 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 3 | 2% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 3 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 1% | — flat |
| Steering | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 1% | — flat |
9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Defect
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
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.
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.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Defect
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%.
Defect
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“ABS PROBLEMS; WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT (35-45) MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL DID NOT GO DOWN AT ALL, AND TRUCK RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER TRUCK. THIS HAPPENED ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE POWER BOOSTER STOPPED WORKING. GMC REFUSES TO FIX VEHICLE…”
“CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED WIPERS TO FAIL MOSTLY DURING RAINY WEATHER. *TT”
“WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM VEHICLE., AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLED CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM CYLINDER ONTO HEAD GASKET.*AK”
“THERE ARE NUMEROUS, SUBSTANTIAL SAFETY HAZARDS TO THESE VEHICLES WHICH APPEAR TO BE COMMON KNOWLEDGE TO MECHANICS BUT DENIED BY DEALERSHIPS. THE BALL JOINTS ARE APPARENTLY COMMON FAILURES ACCORDING TO MASSACHUSETTS SAFETY INSPECTORS AND ARE DEEMED TO BE AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. THEY STATE THAT…”
“VEHICLE INVOLVED IN FRONTAL COLLISION, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *MRCONSUMER CALLED GM AND THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FROM THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLYED BECAUSE IT WASN'T A FRONTAL COLLISION. *JG”
NHTSA data argues against it: 190 complaints put the 1996 model at #4 of 17 Sonoma years. It is one of the Sonoma years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (59 complaints), visibility & wipers (31 complaints), engine (21 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 GMC Sonoma. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonoma years to avoid are 1994, 1995, 1998, 1996, 2000, 1997. The cleanest record among Sonoma years belongs to 2004.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.