VehicleVerdict

1996 GMC Sonoma brakes problems

The 1996 GMC Sonoma has 59 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 31% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

59

Brakes complaints

31%

Share of year

18

Crash-involved

3

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.

97V146001BrakesSeptember 11, 1997 · 146,167 units

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.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 8, 1997 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1996 GMC Sonoma have?

NHTSA has 59 complaints about the 1996 GMC Sonoma brakes — 31% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 GMC Sonoma brakes?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 97V146001, 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.