1994 GMC Sonoma Problems

What owners report

Complaints for this model year center on the brakes, with the majority of sampled owners describing a low or inconsistent brake pedal, longer stopping distances, and anti-lock braking that intervenes in ways they did not expect. A second large group concerns windshield wipers that stop mid-sweep or fail to start, often restored by wiggling a connector or the motor. Reports come mostly on higher-mileage trucks, and several owners note their vehicle was not covered by recalls that applied to later model years.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Low or inconsistent brake pedal, long stops

   • 112 complaints (50%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 10.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 15 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor on normal or sudden stops, sometimes intermittently, with the truck continuing to roll farther than expected. Some report the pedal feels hard one moment and soft the next, or that the anti-lock system does not engage. According to the complaints, dealers often could not reproduce the problem, called it normal operation, or replaced master cylinders, pads, rotors and related parts without resolving it. Reported across a wide mileage range, with sampled odometers from about 91,000 to 170,000 miles; several describe it during wet or slippery conditions.

   Recall 99V193000

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS switch recall (99V193000) was performed and have a mechanic road-test the brakes on wet and dry pavement. Check for a pedal that sinks under steady pressure and for the ABS warning light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The problem I am having is that the brakes on this vehicle do not work very well. I have replaced the master cylinder,brake shoes and pads and brake fluid. The brake system is still inadequate. The pedal bottoms out on the floor and it is very difficult to stop. Please help me and the many consumers who are suffering from these problems. Gm has taken advantage of us and is endagering the lives of it's customers and other drivers on the road. They need to find a solution and I think a recall is warranted.”

   NHTSA complaint #704432, filed 1999-03

   “Began applying the brakes as I pulled up to the station building, brake pedal went to the floor and the truck began to shake violently and continued to move forward ( I think the engine also began to race, but it was hard to tell). Luckly the truck came to a stop about two feet before hitting the plate glass window in the front of the station ( the brake was still to the floor). Put truck in park and turned it off. Return and cautiously backed the truck up and applied the brakes and the truck stopped fine.”

   NHTSA complaint #541840, filed 1998-08
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Wipers stop mid-sweep or fail to start

   • 44 complaints (20%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2008

   Owners report wipers that quit during use, sometimes restarting on their own, sometimes needing a tug on the blade or a wiggle of the connector at the wiper motor. Several say replacing the motor or control module did not fully fix it, and some mention smoke or a short in the harness near the steering column. Complaints often note that recalls covering later model years did not include this vehicle. Mostly reported on trucks past 50,000 miles, with sampled odometers around 50,000 to 154,000 miles; often noticed in rain.

   What to check: Run the wipers through every speed setting and the intermittent setting, and watch for pauses or a dead spot. Ask whether the wiper motor or control module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Windshield wipers stop working at random. I had this problem repaired (circuit board solder/connection failure) at my own expense. This is the same problem covered by two (1998 and apr 03) recalls, but this truck is not included in the recall for some reason, despite being the same design as the 95-on model that is covered.”

   NHTSA complaint #10018908, filed 2003-05, 88,000 miles

   “My winshield wipers stop working and then start working again without warning. This is the same problem that the NHTSA had found and issued a recall for for a truck that is 1 yr younger than mine. Gmc says its not their problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10039605, filed 2003-09, 120,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS warning light and module faults

   • 14 complaints (6%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 11.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2008

   Owners report the ABS light coming on and dealers identifying wheel speed sensors or a failed ABS computer, with one quote for a computer replacement. Several complaints state the vehicle was told it was not covered by the ABS recall. Sampled reports cluster between about 91,000 and 170,000 miles.

   Recall 99V193000

   What to check: Confirm the ABS light is off with the key on and engine running, and scan for stored ABS codes. Ask for documentation of any ABS recall work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs light is on and dealer claims my 1994 Gmc Sonoma needs a $2,200 ABS computer replaced. There was recall on the ABS module in 7/00. I believe this recall affected the ABS computer that now needs replacing and I'm asking for assistance from Gmc on sharing the replacement costs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10221762, filed 2008-03, 91,000 miles

   “Dt: this is a Gmc s15 Sonoma 4 wheel drive truck. When the consumer applied the brakes, the ABS light illuminated. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and they said it was one of the 4 wheel speed sensors.”

   NHTSA complaint #10128652, filed 2005-07, 170,000 miles

Buying note. These are old trucks, so condition and service history matter more than the model year itself; budget for brake work and ask for proof that any ABS recall and wiper repairs were done. A thorough road test on wet pavement and a check of the wipers and ABS light will reveal most of what owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.