1997 GMC Sonoma Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often complain about windshield wipers that stop working intermittently, usually in rain or snow, and about brake problems ranging from a pedal that sinks to the floor to pulling to one side. Many reports come in between roughly 35,000 and 100,000 miles; the wiper trouble tends to recur for years and dealers often could not reproduce the brake concern. Other reports involve airbags not deploying in crashes, ignition and electrical faults, and transmission or four-wheel-drive problems.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers quit or work intermittently

   • 24 complaints (22%)
   • median 58,500 mi at 7.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2008

   Complaints describe wipers that stop mid-sweep, come back on by themselves, or fail to start at all, frequently in heavy rain or snow. Several owners say a dealer or shop identified the wiper motor or its control module/pulse board as the cause, and some were told their vehicle was not covered by a wiper recall that applied to similar trucks because of the VIN or drivetrain. Repairs involved replacing the motor or module, and some owners report the problem returning. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 35,000 to over 100,000 miles, and typically noticed in rain, snow or other low-visibility conditions.

   What to check: Turn the wipers on at every speed setting, including intermittent, and watch for pauses or a motor that keeps running while the blades stall; ask whether the wiper motor or module has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10250196, filed 2008-11, 100,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10116406, filed 2005-04, 54,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sinks or braking feels weak

   • 26 complaints (23%)
   • median 42,501 mi at 7.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2012

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor, a hard pedal with longer stopping distance, or the ABS light staying on while the truck feels like it has ordinary brakes. Some reports mention pulling to one side, early pad and rotor wear, or a brake line worn through where it passes near the engine, and some owners say the dealer could not duplicate the concern. Others describe repeated brake work without a lasting fix. Spread broadly from low mileage up to about 100,000 miles, with several complaints filed after only a few years of use.

   Recall 97V146001

   What to check: Check brake fluid level and look for chafed or wet brake lines along the left side of the engine, and ask whether the front brake line recall work was completed; test the pedal for firmness with the engine running.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Since day one of getting the truck, I notice that the gas tank meter was broke. Brought it back in to them for meter plus the brake system. They fixed the meter problem but they said needed brake pads changed. So I went home changed the brake pad, rotor, drums. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10071111, filed 2004-01, 49,002 miles

   “On dec.24, 2004 I was driving my 1997 Gmc Sonoma with 31000 miles on the odometer when I experienced total brake failure without any warning. The truck has ABS brakes. I was able to stop the truck without out an accident but only by sheer luck.”

   NHTSA complaint #10104477, filed 2004-12, 31,815 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags did not deploy in a crash

   • 8 complaints (7%)
   • median 73,216 mi at 11.6 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2012

   Complaints describe frontal or rollover crashes in which neither the driver nor passenger airbag deployed, and in one case the seat belt separated. Owners generally learned of the non-deployment after the collision, and in some reports the vehicle was not inspected by a dealer afterward. Reported in crashes at roughly 30-40 mph; mileage in the sample runs around 100,000 miles or more where recorded.

   Recall 97V096001

   What to check: With the key on, confirm the airbag warning light comes on briefly and then goes out; ask whether the seat belt recall for extended-cab models was performed and inspect belts for fraying or separation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had a 97 Gmc Sonoma that I was going down a dirt road about 30-35 MPH and swerved to miss a truck coming on my side of the road and lost traction and flipped over a hill and rolled 3 times and the airbags didnt deploy and the drivers seatbelt snapped .”

   NHTSA complaint #10485988, filed 2012-11, 100,150 miles

   “While traveling at 40 MPH hit an enbankment head-on, and driver's side airbag didn't deploy. Consumer was injured in accident. Consumer states accelerator sticks at times. Keys can not be removed, problem since purchase of vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #891161, filed 2001-06
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Engine stalls or will not restart (ignition switch)

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • median 87,128 mi at 15.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2014

   Owners report the engine shutting off while driving, sometimes repeatedly within a short distance, and then failing to restart. In several cases a dealer replaced the ignition switch, and one owner also described the key sticking in the ignition or the steering wheel locking with the key out. Complaints note the vehicle was not covered by a recall for the switch. Reported around 60,000-73,000 miles, with one report past 180,000 miles; occurrences described while driving at low speed or on a hill.

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch or lock cylinder has been replaced, and check that the key turns freely, releases properly, and that the engine restarts reliably after a short drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The key used to stick in the ignition and release itself after a short time. Then the key would not release, and when the key came out the vehicle could still be started, then the steering wheel locked and the key came out, but when placed back in, would not unlock the steering wheel nor would it turn the ignition cylinder.”

   NHTSA complaint #10248043, filed 2008-11, 101,256 miles

   “While driving down the road, my air bag light on the dashboard , goes on and the engine quits. If the steering wheel air bag is tapped, the light goes off and the engine can be restarted. Very scary.”

   NHTSA complaint #10160065, filed 2006-06, 181,603 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission and four-wheel-drive faults

   • 8 complaints (7%)
   • median 75,843 mi at 5.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2005

   Complaints include an automatic transmission that stopped working at relatively low mileage, four-wheel drive that stayed engaged or shifted in and out on its own with vibration and higher fuel use, and wheels binding while turning in four-wheel drive. Owners describe dealers either repairing the transfer case circuit or saying the behavior was normal. Reported from about 60,000 miles upward, with several complaints filed in the first few years of ownership.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a 4WD truck, shift through two- and four-wheel drive on a loose surface and listen for noise or vibration; ask about transmission and transfer case service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle will stick in 4 wheel high, causing excessive gas usage and vehicle will also shake. Consumer stated it also alternated between 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive, repairs were made.”

   NHTSA complaint #8011766, filed 2002-06

   “A malfunction within electrical motor for 4 wheel drive transfer case causes a fuse to blow, and 4 wheel drive feature to malfunction. Please give any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #881244, filed 2001-02

Buying note. These are older trucks, so condition and service records matter more than the complaint list; check the wipers, brakes and ignition switch carefully, and confirm whether the brake line and seat belt recalls were completed for the specific vehicle.

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.