Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1999 GMC Sonoma sits mid-pack among Sonoma years: 78 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 74, with a single recall and no defect investigations.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (10), body & structure (9), and seats (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
78
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations
6
Crash-involved
3
Fires reported
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 10 | 13% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 9 | 12% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 9 | 12% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 8 | 10% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 6 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 5 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 5 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 4 | 5% | — flat |
| Engine | 4 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 3 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 3 | 4% | — flat |
| Other | 3 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 3 | 4% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 2 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“THE ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED IN OCTOBER WASN'T REPORTED BECAUSE IT WAS A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND THE PAVEMENT WAS WET. I FIGURED IT WAS MY FAULT AND NOT THE BRAKES. AT THE SECOND ACCIDENT, THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY AND THE COLLISION WAS WAS A RESULT OF THE BRAKES FAILING. I CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THAT…”
“BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT RECLINE HANDLES HAVE COMPLETELY LEAVING BOTH SEATS INCAPABLE OF RECLINING. UNFORTUNATELY, LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS VULNERABLE IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. DRIVERS SIDE BROKE TWICE. 1ST TIME REPAIRED UNDER WARANTY. DRIVERS SIDE BROKE AFTER WARANTY HAD EXPIRED. PASSANGERS…”
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE CABLE BROKE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE TAILGATE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V066000, REGARDING THE TAILGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.…”
“1999 GMC SONOMA EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, CD PLAYER, TIRES AND HEATING COIL.*MR CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT DEALER DID NOT TELL THEM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, EXCHANGED REBUILT TORQUE CONVERTER WITH TRANCES FILLER 12 MONTH OR 12,000 MILE…”
“WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH CONSUMER WAS HIT HEAD-ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINE D LOWER BACK INJURY. IS CURRENTLY IN PHYSICAL THERAPY. *AK”
It is close to typical for the Sonoma: 78 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (10 complaints), body & structure (9 complaints), seats (9 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1999 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.