1997 GMC Sonoma Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 111 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,875miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the body and structure of the 1997 GMC Sonoma, 5% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,875 miles. 1 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 reaching to unload a couch I was on the tailgate of my 1997 Gmc Sonoma. Both tailgate straps broke at the same time causing the tailgate to crash down. The force that the tailgate went down and hit the bumper put dents on both sides of the tailgate. At this tim I have not replaced the straps or fixed the dents. I do plan on calling the dealership and orderng the parts.”
NHTSA complaint #10120644, filed 2005-05, 89,600 miles“Tailgate cable on driver's side snapped at the bottom of the loop. Dealership indicated that the cable ends were not properly sealed when manufactured. As a result water was able to come in contact with the cable causing it to rust.”
NHTSA complaint #10044886, filed 2003-12, 57,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Gmc Sonoma. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver heard a loud popping sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The driver inspected the vehicle and noticed that the front and rear frame was cracked. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,261.”
NHTSA complaint #10473919, filed 2012-09, 145,261 milesBody and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 6 | 15% |
| 2002 | 13 | 23% |
| 2001 | 26 | 29% |
| 2000 | 41 | 30% |
| 1999 | 8 | 14% |
| 1998 | 14 | 9% |
| 1997 | 5 | 5% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 4% |
| 1991 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1997 GMC Sonoma
36 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
30 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 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 27, 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