NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 125 owner complaints for the 1997 GMC Sonoma. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (34) and visibility (29). The EPA rates it 16–23 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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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! *JS”
“I HAVE ENCOUNTERED TROUBLE WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEY GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I AM ASSUMING THE PROBLEM IS THE PULSE WIPER RELAY, AND WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PRODUCT. I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN WHEN THIS OCCURRED, AND THERE WAS NEARLY A COLLISION. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PART. THANK YOU. *TR”
“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. WE HAVE HAD TOO MANY OTHER FAILURES TO COUNT!*AK”
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 Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Sonoma 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 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 |
| Sonoma 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| 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 |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 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 125 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (34), visibility (29), power train (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 GMC Sonoma at 16–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).