Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 202 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median Sonoma year — the 1998 model ranks #3 of 17 Sonoma years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 56 reports (28% of the total).
202
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
0
Investigations
15
Crash-involved
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility & Wipers | 56 | 28% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 31 | 15% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 18 | 9% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 15 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 11 | 5% | — flat |
| Engine | 11 | 5% | — flat |
| Transmission | 11 | 5% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 9 | 4% | — flat |
| Other | 8 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 7 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Latches & Locks | 4 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 4 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 4 | 2% | — flat |
| Lighting | 4 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 3 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 3 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1% | — flat |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 0% | ▼ down |
4 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
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Consequence
THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS ARE CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THE DEALER AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED TO THEM UNTIL THE DEALER CAN REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence
PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE BEEN SPORADIC FOR LAST TWO MONTHS; WAS ABLE TO GET THEM STARTED BY GETTING OUT OF TRUCK AND MOVING THE BLADES BY HAND; LAST WEEK, IN HEAVY DOWN POUR, THE WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL; STOPPED AT AN AUTOBODY SHOP, THE GUY SMACKED THE MOTOR WITH A WRENCH AND GOT THEM WORKING…”
“ALUMINUM HANDLE FOR RECLINING MECHANISM OF DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE, AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, HANDLE FOR RECLINING MECHANISM OF FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BROKE, AND WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SHAFTS THAT ARE USED ARE MADE OUT OF CAST ALUMINUM AND…”
“WHILE DRIVING 20MPH DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL. DRIVER HAS RIB CAGE INJURY. *AK”
“DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA HIT THE STOPPED TRUCK AND TOTALED THE SONOMA. AT NO…”
“TANSMISSION PROBLEM...WHINNING, NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR/ TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE/PILOT BEARING BUSHING REPLACED/CRANK SHAFT REPLACED TWICE/ NOW REFUSES TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE ON TRUCK. HAVE PREGNANT DAUGHTER DRIVING VEHICLE CANNOT SHIFT AGAIN. THIS IS THE SEVENTH TIME I HAVE TAKEN IN FOR…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 202 complaints put the 1998 model at #3 of 17 Sonoma years. It is one of the Sonoma years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (56 complaints), seats (31 complaints), brakes (18 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 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.