Most common 1996 GMC Sonoma problems
Share of the 148 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sonoma complaints by model year
Best Sonoma years: 2003, 1999, 2002. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996, 1998. Compare all years →
1996 GMC Sonoma recalls (6)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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,…
Seat belts
Vehicle description: extended cab pickup trucks equipped with 60/40 front bench seats and extended cab pickup trucks and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with manual locking recliner bucket seats. The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
Visibility › Windshield
The top coat paint severely peels due to overbaking of the powder primer prior to the top coat application. Since the windshield primer and adhesive adhere to the top coat paint onthe windshield opening flange, the windshield does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting."
Remedy: All vehicles have been repurchased. This campaign is 100%.
Power train › Manual transmission
Some of these trucks were built with transmissions containing parts which were not machined to GM's specifications.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission main shaft output torque using a special tool. If the output torque does not meet specifications, the transmission will be replaced.
What 1996 GMC Sonoma owners say
Brakes all 52 →
Tl contact owns a 1996 GMC Sonoma. While applying the brakes at 55 MPH, the brake pedal extended all the way to the floor. The emergency brake was applied to stop the vehicle. The contact was a mechanic and he replaced the front brake line for the passenger side wheel. The failure was corrected temporarily. However, twenty miles later, the failure recurred while driving 30 MPH. The brake line for the front driver side was replaced. The road conditions were normal during both failures. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA recall number 97V146001 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The current mileage was 105,000 and failure mileage was 104,980.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 MPH under normal braking on wet roads, the ABS lights illuminated and the vehicle had an extended stopping distance. The dealer examined the vehicle and determined the three sensors had to be replaced, but were not certain that the replacement would correct the problem. The vehicle was currently at the dealer for further repairs. The contact encountered NHTSA recall # 99i006000 regarding the service brakes, hydraulic: antilock.
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 31 →
Consumer stated that while driving and with no warning the windshield wiper worked intermittently. Dealer notified. Ts possible electrical failure caused wipers to fail mostly during rainy weather.
Tl* - the contact called concerning a service bulletin regarding windshield wiper washer motor. The bulletin has a product recall. The contact has been told by GMC that the car was not a part of the recall\ due to the VIN. The contact stated that the windshield wipers work intermittently. The contact stated that the windshield wipers will either stay up in the air, won't work at all, or shut off by themselves. The last incident was on December 26, 2006. The contact stated that the problem with the windshield wipers began in July 2006. The contact called the dealer, and they gave her a service request no. 71-463971283, and then the dealer denied it.
Engine & cooling
My timing tensioner keeps wearing out after about 15,000 miles, it started when I bought my truck in 96 around 25,000 miles I notice a ticking sound coming from the engine,I took the truck is to the service dept. They told me I was using the wrong oil filter,ha ha. They did something to the truck but the ticking stop until 36,000 miles and then my warranty was gone. I have replaced the timing chain tensioner 7 times since I bought the truck. I have had nothing but problem with this truck ever since my warranty had expired,the tensioner broke one time when I was on the highway,bent two valves,and a head job later still having problems. To me it looks like I May have bought a lemon. This May not be on all trucks but it sure has happen to mine. Its like the timing system does not line up. To wear the tensioner in such a short time. I have replaced with GM parts.
Valve seals on original/new engine seated improperly causing excessive oil use and engine misfire. Valve seals replaced by dealer per GMC notice socmp96c17. Two months later in January, 1997, valve seals #4 and #6 again failed with same symptoms but were replaced by dealer since failure took place within a year of original GMC notice. In 1999 same symptoms again showed up but when I took it to the dealer in June, 1999, they would not replace the seals because GMC said they were no longer covered. GMC dealer had assured me in January, 1997, that seals would be covered as long as I owned the vehicle.
1996 GMC Sonoma engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 GMC Sonoma a good car?
Based on 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Sonoma rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sonoma at the same age. It is one of the Sonoma years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 GMC Sonoma?
The brakes — 52 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (31) and engine & cooling (19).
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Sonoma have?
There are 6 recalls for the 1996 GMC Sonoma, the most recent from July 19, 1999 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sonoma?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003, 1999 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995, 1996 and 1998. See the full GMC Sonoma years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 GMC Sonoma problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 99,000 miles; 8% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.