1996 GMC Sonoma Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 7%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 166,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 GMC Sonoma, 7% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 166,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1996 gmac Sonoma air bag sensor rivet failure. Found drivers side sensor hanging from electrical lead, when I inspected the mounting area I found that the two rivets that secure the sensor were sheared off. I inspected the other sensor mounting and found that one of the two rivets was also sheared off. No front end impact had occurred and no indications were noted.”
NHTSA complaint #10168069, filed 2006-09, 166,000 miles“The air bag light stays on. It turns off sometimes for about 5 minutes or fewer minutes. No repair shop can determine how to repair this issue. When the air bag light is on the air bag would not operate that's what I have read. Is there a recall on the air bag light? Or is there a fix for this issue?”
NHTSA complaint #10631665, filed 2014-09“Vehicle involved in frontal collision, none of the air bags deployed. *mrconsumer called GM and they informed consumer that from the description of the accident the air bags would not have deplyed because it wasn't a frontal collision.”
NHTSA complaint #8020180, filed 2002-10“Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision of 50 MPH impact and neither air bag deployed. Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8015403, filed 2002-08“Was driving at 25mph when another vehicle ran stop sign and struck the consumer, causing him to hit another vehicle. Air bag failed to deploy, resulting in an injury, dealer nofitied.”
NHTSA complaint #822955, filed 1998-04Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 GMC Sonoma
52 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 GMC Sonoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology