CarModelProblems.com

1994 GMC Sonoma Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 8.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
224Complaints
6Recalls
18Crashes
2Fires
5Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (50.9% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 8.2× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip114 · 50.9%RecalledRecall 99V193000 · Recall 99I006000
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer26 · 11.6%not available
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor23 · 10.3%not available
Vehicle Speed Control11 · 4.9%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components11 · 4.9%RecalledRecall 99V193000 · Recall 99I006000
Power Train:automatic Transmission7 · 3.1%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11 · 4.9%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS11 · 4.9%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7 · 3.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS6 · 2.7%
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK5 · 2.2%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY5 · 2.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR4 · 1.8%

Percentages are the share of the 224 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 06E041000 · 2006 · reported 05/18/2006

A FUEL LEAK CAN OCCUR AT THE VALVE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E043000 · 2006 · reported 05/19/2006

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices

NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts

NHTSA campaign 97V096001 · 1997 · reported 06/12/1997

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

NHTSA campaign 99V193000 · 1999 · reported 07/19/1999

IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

NHTSA campaign 99I006000 · 1999 · reported 07/19/1999

THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS ON CERTAIN MULTIPLE SURFACES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHEN MAKING NORMAL STOPS, DRIVER WILL HEAR NOISE AND THEN VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP,TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES, DRIVER MUST BEAR DOWN IN ORDER TO STOP.”NHTSA complaint 848313 — filed 09/22/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WITH FOOT PERMANENTLY ON BRAKES. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE BEFORE AND CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE.”NHTSA complaint 846986 — filed 09/07/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND PEDAL WAS HARD AND GOT SOFT. ABS SYSTEM DIDN'T KICK IN, AND THE BRAKES WORKED INTERMITTENTLY…”NHTSA complaint 844835 — filed 08/11/1999 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

55199528571997253719994716200191020032720051220081

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1994 GMC Sonoma?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 114 of 224 NHTSA complaints (50.9%), followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer (26), visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (23), vehicle speed control (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1994 GMC Sonoma have?

224 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 5 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 1994 GMC Sonoma have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E041000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1994 GMC Sonoma's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.