Most common 1997 GMC Sonoma problems
Share of the 111 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 →
1997 GMC Sonoma recalls (2)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1997 GMC Sonoma:
Driver's seat belt buckle assembly
On February 18, 2004, odi opened this recall query (rq) based on two fatality reports involving my 1997 GM s-10 pickup trucks.each report alleged that the belted driver occupant was ejected in a multiple-rotation rollover crash.the my 1997 s/t series pickups use an energy-absorbing loop in the driver seat belt that allows the webbing to elongate up to 10 inches (to mitigate driver injury in frontal crashes).GM also…
ABS braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v-193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
What 1997 GMC Sonoma owners say
Brakes all 36 →
Unable to stop due to brake pedal going all the way to the floor! Brake pedal and accelerator pedal are positioned too close, and when brake pedal is all the way down, foot comes in contact with accelerator pedal, making it impossible to stop! This is apparently a common problem with these GMC pickups, as I had the same problem with a 1991 GMC Sonoma. In this case, I could have avoided a collision, but could not stop, even though I had applied the brakes with plenty of force. GM should be held responsible for this major defect, which was not corrected from at least 1991 through 1997 -- and probably beyond!
Since day one of getting the truck, I notice that the gas tank meter was broke. Brought it back in to them for meter plus the brake system. They fixed the meter problem but they said needed brake pads changed. So I went home changed the brake pad, rotor, drums. Went back in ever since then till now for coolant, knocking of engine, A/C, main engine seal gaskets, brackets, fuel system, motor mounts, belts, seals, nipples, studs, fan clutch, pulleys, plus brakes are still failing,(went on line found out brakes are recalled they failed to tell me that). As far as I can see the motor is bad. The truck has cost me money out of pocket, work time, as well as my own on a persistent basis. The truck is junk.
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 30 →
We have a 1997 GMC Sonoma with a votrec 4.3 x. Over 2 years ago, we started getting misfires. We tried everything we could think of, to no avail. In the past month I've put over $500 alone. I have been looking it up on-line, and have realized, I'm not the only one with this issue. There has even been a recall in california, but only there. GM told me they have different gas out there. Another major safety issue has been the wiper motor failure, that had a recall. GM told me my VIN # was not on the list, but I battle my wipers at least once a month. I have to yank the blades half way up the window before they grab and start to work. One more problem that I now know I am not alone on is the issue with dex-cool. We have flushed and refilled the system at least three times, only to have it gunk-up again. Please help me and all the other customers who got trapped with junk vehicles. …
Windshield wiper motor failure wipers work intermittently and some times not at all.I took my vehicle to a repair shop they informed there had been recalls on this condition involving several GM vehicles including mine. When I took my vehicle to a GM repair shop they told me my vehicle was not included in the recall because it was the 4wd model and not the 2wd model I'm shocked that the same year same model but not 4wd is included. I would really like to know why my vehicle is excluded ? When it has the exact conditions of the others recalled.
Engine & cooling
We have a 1997 GMC Sonoma with a votrec 4.3 x. Over 2 years ago, we started getting misfires. We tried everything we could think of, to no avail. In the past month I've put over $500 alone. I have been looking it up on-line, and have realized, I'm not the only one with this issue. There has even been a recall in california, but only there. GM told me they have different gas out there. Another major safety issue has been the wiper motor failure, that had a recall. GM told me my VIN # was not on the list, but I battle my wipers at least once a month. I have to yank the blades half way up the window before they grab and start to work. One more problem that I now know I am not alone on is the issue with dex-cool. We have flushed and refilled the system at least three times, only to have it gunk-up again. Please help me and all the other customers who got trapped with junk vehicles. …
Approx one mile from home as I was approaching a stop sign engine suddenly shut off. After a few seconds managed to restart engine. Engine shut down twice more before arriving back home. At home was unable to restart engine had vehicle towed to GMC/Buick dealership. Dealership found that problem was defective ignition switch assembly. Replaced ignition switch at a cost of $600.23, I was informed vehicle was not on current recall list. If not, why not. Thank god I was not on interstate with a 16 wheeler behind me. I contacted GMC customer assistance requested to be reimbursed for above cost. Request denied because vehicle not on recall list. I also have a 2004 Cadillac which is on recall list for ignition switch never received recall letter until I complained at above customer service they did send me recall letter concerning Cadillac. …
1997 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 | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 GMC Sonoma a good car?
Based on 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Sonoma rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Sonoma at the same age. 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 1997 GMC Sonoma?
The brakes — 36 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (30) and engine & cooling (9).
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Sonoma have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1997 GMC Sonoma, the most recent from September 11, 1997 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). 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 1997 GMC Sonoma problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 66,000 miles; 26% 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.