NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 156 owner complaints for the 1996 GMC Sonoma. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (51) and visibility (32). The EPA rates it 17–23 mpg combined.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
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 INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL*THE 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.”
“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. *AK”
“CONSUMER NOTICE WHILE SHIFTING VEHICLE INTO REVERSE VEHICLE WAS NOT GAINING ANY POWER. VEHICLE WAS SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICE THAT TRANSMISSION WAS OVER HEAT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoma 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Sonoma 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Sonoma 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Sonoma 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Sonoma 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Sonoma 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
9 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 156 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (51), visibility (32), power train (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1996 GMC Sonoma at 17–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).