CarModelProblems.com

1998 GMC Sonoma Problems & Recalls

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

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer — runs 5.9× the fleet median for that category across the 409 model-years tracked on this site.
156Complaints
4Recalls
9Crashes
2Fires
1Injured
0Deaths

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 — Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer (14.7% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer complaints here are 5.9× the median for that category across the 409 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer23 · 14.7%not available
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor20 · 12.8%not available
Seats:front Assembly:recliner19 · 12.2%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip11 · 7.1%RecalledRecall 97V218000
Seats11 · 7.1%not available
Air Bags:frontal7 · 4.5%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

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER19 · 12.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP11 · 7.1%
SEATS11 · 7.1%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL7 · 4.5%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7 · 4.5%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING5 · 3.2%
Unspecified / other4 · 2.6%
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS4 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 156 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 — 4 campaigns

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

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 00V220000 · 2000 · reported 08/11/2000

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 97V218000 · 1997 · reported 11/24/1997

PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

NHTSA campaign 97V208001 · 1997 · reported 11/25/1997

THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE. 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

“1998 GMC SONOMA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED IN…”NHTSA complaint 10119252 — filed 04/27/2005 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
“A FEW MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT MY 1998 GMC SONOMA THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. SOMETIME THEY COME ON AND WORK FOR A FEW MINUTES…”NHTSA complaint 10090470 — filed 09/05/2004 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
“WINDSHIELD WIPER ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OR CIRCUIT BOARD FAILS DURING WET WEATHER CAUSING WIPER FAILURE AND LOSS OF VISIBILITY. I PERSONALLY REPLACED FAULTY WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY.”NHTSA complaint 10088750 — filed 08/29/2004 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

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

Complaint trend by year filed

172001152820031914200511112007422009132011442013112017

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 GMC Sonoma?

Visibility:windshield wiper/washer issues are the most-reported category, cited in 23 of 156 NHTSA complaints (14.7%), followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (20), seats:front assembly:recliner (19), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1998 GMC Sonoma have?

156 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 1 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1998 GMC Sonoma have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07E021000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 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.