1998 GMC Sonoma Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 7%of 156 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 178,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 GMC Sonoma, 7% of the 156 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 178,000 miles. 8 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.
“Driver was going approx. 40mph down the rural highway in heavy rain and the truck in front of her came to a stop. By the time the driver of the Sonoma saw the truck it was too late to stop and not hit the stopped vehicle. The driver of the Sonoma hit the stopped truck and totaled the Sonoma. At no point did the driver airbag deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10465485, filed 2012-07, 145,000 miles“Passenger seat does not lock into place. Passengers seat slide forward and backward , and air bag light stayed on , left turn signal light and brake don't come on.”
NHTSA complaint #10514690, filed 2013-06, 178,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Gmc Sonoma. While driving 50 MPH, the air bags deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 264,477.”
NHTSA complaint #10854848, filed 2016-04, 264,477 miles“While driving 20mph driver applied brakes and the vehicle did not stop. Consumer rear ended another vehicle. Neither driver's side nor passenger's side airbags deployed. Dealer said it was normal. Driver has rib cage injury.”
NHTSA complaint #851367, filed 1999-10“While driving at about 35-45 MPH, trying to slow down and make a turn, and brakes went to the floor. Consumer lost control of vehicle and crashed into two trees, and air bag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #851012, filed 1999-10Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 GMC Sonoma
55 complaintsSeats
29 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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