1997 GMC Sonoma Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 8%of 111 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,150miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 GMC Sonoma, 8% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,150 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.
“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 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“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“Vehicle hit a tree head-on and flipped over into another lane at 30 to 35mph, and neither driver's side nor passenger's side airbags deployed. Vehicle was totaled. Dealer hasn't seen vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #854135, filed 1999-12“While driving vehicle about 35 MPH consumer was force off the road and crashed front first into a tree. Upon impact, neither driver's or passenger's airbags deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #855000, filed 2000-01Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 GMC Sonoma
36 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
30 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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