Most common 1998 GMC Sonoma problems
Share of the 156 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 →
1998 GMC Sonoma recalls (3)
Exterior lighting
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the daytime running lights built with a candela value greater than 3,000 cannot be mounted higher than 864mm above the road…
Remedy: Dealers will install a revised wiring harness that changes the drl's from high beam to low beam drl's, and install new long-life low beam bulbs.
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose vehicles. An engine electrical wiring-harness clip can melt and drip onto the exhaust manifold.
Remedy: Dealers are contacting owners by telephone to have their vehicles towed to the dealer and alternate transportation provided to them until the dealer can reroute the electrical wiring-harness.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. A fatigue fracture of the rear axle right-hand brake pipe can occur causing a slow brake fluid leak resulting in a soft brake pedal.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
What 1998 GMC Sonoma owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 55 →
Certain GM trucks have been recalled but the others have not but the same component was used in other models and the same isue occurs. I had a 1997 Isuzu hombre that had this problem and now I have a 1998 GMC Sonoma nad the same problem occurs. The 1997 Chevy s-10s were recalled for this issue but the recall should be extended to other yeas as well. Listed below is the issue with the 1997 s10s. The exact same problem occurs on 98 GMC sonomas as well. Make: Chevrolet model: s10 year: 1997 recall number: 03V159000 summary: on certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor May fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all. …
This started as an occasional failure in 2002 when the intermittent wipers would suddenly start wiping at full speed "on their own" and would only go back to intermittent speed after I would turn off the wipers and re-turn them on. In August 2005 this changed to where the intermittent wipers would go to full speed and then just stop. They would not resume wiping when I would turn the switch on and off several times (thus I was driving in the rain with no wipers). However - they would just as suddenly begin wiping. In October 2005 I had the local GM dealer replace the wiper module circuit board which it turned out was cracked. This is the same piece of equipment that GMC did a recall for vehicles between 1994 and 1997. I have registered this issue with the GM claims department - but they will not take any action for a recall nor reimburse the cost of the part.
Seats all 29 →
On our 1998 GMC Sonoma we have replaced the windshield wiper motor and board. The wipers still have a ghost in them and delay does not work most of the time and high speed when on low speed, erratic behavior on wipers. Won't turn on or off on occasion. Was there a recall on also on the passenger seat? The lever broke right off the first time we used it. Cheaply built handles. Please send me a list of recalls on this vehicle please for our own safety as this vehicle is driven daily on open highways.
The handles that recline both the driver and passenger seats broke off with very little force. My passenger seat is always slightly reclined now and my driver's seat is straight up and down. The dealership refuses to replace them because there is not a recall and according to them its normal wear and tear. My warranty is up but I feel this goes beyond warranty and is a defect from the manufacturer.
Brakes
In April 2006, a brake line on my 1998 GMC Sonoma pickup broke when I applied the brakes at approx 50 MPH. I had to stop rather quickly due to traffic backing up on an interstate highway. When the brake line burst, my brake pedal went to the floor and I had no brakes. Prior to this happening, the brakes were working fine. Fortunately, I was able to swerve into another lane and downshift (std shift) to avoid an accident. My mechanic replaced the broken line (from hydraulic ABS to junction) and also the rear brake pads and rotors. The truck had 107,000 miles on it when this occurred. I decided to report this because I am concerned that it might happen to others, resulting in a serious accident.
Started off with a sudden failure to accelerate on highway then corrected itself; on and off for a few weeks. Discovered that brake pedal was soft and was failing to return to starting position; replaced master cylinder to eliminate soft pedal but still sticking and not returning to starting position. Cannot find cause.
1998 GMC Sonoma engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 GMC Sonoma a good car?
Based on 156 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 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 1998 GMC Sonoma?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 55 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield wiper/washer. Next are the seats (29) and brakes (17).
How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Sonoma have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1998 GMC Sonoma, the most recent from August 11, 2000 (exterior lighting). 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 1998 GMC Sonoma problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 27% 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.