Seat complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Dt: the rail on which the seat slides has a sharp edge. On, Monday the vehicles wife cut her leg on this sharp edge. She had to have 15 stitches for the cut. The problem has been reported to the dealer or manufacturer.
Passengers seat will not lock in position, it slides back and forth. Dealer repaired once, then replaced passengers seat. At this time seat is broken again. The seat replaced three times. The mechanic said to the owner, slam the seat back to achieve a locked position.
Seat adjuster on passeneger's side had stopped working, causing seat to go forward and backwards. Contacted dealer, and dealer replaced adjuster. Soon afterwards consumer had to take it back to dealer.
Passenger and driver seats in my 2000 GMC Sonoma have seat positioning controls and locking mechanisims that do not always lock properly and/or get jammed up and have broken. A friend was sitting in the passenger seat and it failed to lock into place to keep it from sliding forward. I adjusted the bolts that fasten the seat to the floor of the vehicle to help 'realign' the seat frame so that the mechanism that keeps the seat from siding front and back would keep the seat locked into position once the seating distance is set. Also, the reclining handle on the passenger side broke off, not allowing for seat back support angle adjustment on the passenger side. The driver's side seat back support adjustment lever often 'sticks' or 'locks' into position....not allowing for seat back rest adjustment. …
The trucks been handling fine and all of the sudden the oil pan blows out on the truck and I think it threw a rod. Which is not my fault a piece came apart or came out of the engine causing all that pressure to build up and mess it up. The vehicle was in motion not going over 60
The driver's seat adjust failed. No pressure--could be put on the seat without it moving to the full back position. The dealer initially replaced this in mar 05 after me and dealer speaking with GMC customer satisfaction. GMC reimbursed me for costs. 15 months [!!] later, it failed again. The dealer had only seen this issue twice, both times with my car. GMC initially declined to pay for the repair. Then, after discussion with me, they offered to pay for it with me understanding that they had no liability and would not pay for any future repairs or would offer me $500 certificate discount on a new GMC truck. When I mentioned the safety issue potential, they wanted me to understand that if I accepted the money, I would have no standing in future problems of the same nature. I decline. I am concerned about the safety potential of this. They have twice corrected the symptoms. …
Both driver and passenger seat recline handles have completely leaving both seats incapable of reclining. Unfortunately, leaving the occupants vulnerable if an accident were to occur. Drivers side broke twice. 1st time repaired under waranty. Drivers side broke after waranty had expired. Passangers side same after warnty expired. Neather replaced at this time.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Sonoma years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (29), 2000 (11), 1999 (8), 1995 (6) and 1996 (6) model years. Seat complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for GMC Sonoma seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for any GMC Sonoma model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do GMC Sonoma seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles; 41% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › recliner (42 mentions), followed by the front assembly › head restraint (6).
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.