1992 GMC Sonoma Problems
- Complaints
- 25filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 GMC Sonoma (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1992 GMC Sonoma. The part named most often is brakes, with 15 complaints (60% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and engine cooling (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 30,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes15 60%
- Engine cooling2 8.0%
- Equipment2 8.0%
- Fuel system2 8.0%
- Air bags1 4.0%
- Electrical system1 4.0%
- Body and structure1 4.0%
- Suspension1 4.0%
- Tires1 4.0%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Right front brakes wear excessively in shor period of time. Braking becomes difficult and vehicle has tendency to veer to the right when braking. Must exert extreme pressure on brake pedal to bring vehicle to a complete stop. Residue from brake shoes is evident on wheel”
NHTSA complaint #731281, filed 2000-09Transmission and drivetrain: “On the three occasions ,when the air temperature is high and it is quite humid with air conditioner on clutch assembly will fail to the point where the clutch will not disengage the gears. Consumer has to turn off ignition and must wait about 15 min, so it can cool down. A private transmission garage claimed engine will get hot, causing hydralic clutch to boil which will cause loss of ability to move clutch plates ,not allowing the clutch to disengage.”
NHTSA complaint #869307, filed 2000-09Equipment: “Driving vehicle on hwy; going about 60 MPH; felt a sudden jolt; looked back & noticed spare tire was rolling in back; took to mechanic; was informed spare tire cable broke.”
NHTSA complaint #810573, filed 1997-04Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 30,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1992 GMC Sonoma. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoma · coupe | not rated | 3 / 2 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1992 GMC Sonoma version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoma 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Sonoma 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Sonoma 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Sonoma 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Sonoma 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Sonoma 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Sonoma 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,150 |
| Sonoma 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Sonoma 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 99V193000Jul 19, 1999Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipCovers: GMC Sonoma 1991–1996, Chevrolet Blazer 1991–1996, GMC Jimmy 1991–1996 +1 more
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…
Recall details for the 1992 GMC Sonoma → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1992 GMC Sonoma.
Other model years of the GMC Sonoma
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 39 | 39,120 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 57 | 49,300 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 89 | 51,874 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 136 | 56,400 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 57 | 57,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 156 | 67,000 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 111 | 66,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 148 | 94,326 | 6 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 213 | 98,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 224 | 109,500 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 58 | — | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 25 | 30,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 29 | 90,243 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All GMC Sonoma model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 GMC Sonoma have?
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1992 GMC Sonoma as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 GMC Sonoma is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 15 complaints (60% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.
Has the 1992 GMC Sonoma been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 GMC Sonoma get?
The EPA rates the 1992 GMC Sonoma (Sonoma 2WD, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 GMC Sonoma reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 30,000 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 30,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.