1998 GMC Sonoma Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 9%of 156 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the body and structure of the 1998 GMC Sonoma, 9% of the 156 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 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.
“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“Tailgate cables rusted, and broke. Several other Gmc pick ups have the same problem, and was under recall. I have the same problem, why not a recall item. This is potential safety issue when hauling items with tailgate down.”
NHTSA complaint #10207813, filed 2007-11, 50,000 miles“1998 Gmc Sonoma highrider 4x4. The handle on the bucket seats that lets the seats decline are broke off they are made out of cheap metal. My mom owns a 1998 chevy blazer same thing,also on the third door the handle that opens it breaks easily.”
NHTSA complaint #10064487, filed 2004-04, 32,000 miles“1998 Gmc Sonoma pick up. The wipers don't work over half the time. And when you shut them off they keep going . If they happen to work at that time. The handle to the drivers door keeps breaking off.”
NHTSA complaint #10141531, filed 2005-11, 10,752 miles“Outside temperature approx. 15 degrees, truck slid into snow pile going approx. 2 mile per hour while turning into a drive. Front bumper broke like a piece of glass. No other physical damage. I believe bumper should have not borke in the middle with such a small and light impact. I believe the damage was due to faulty bumper makeup that did not hold up under the cold weather condition, but should have.”
NHTSA complaint #702287, filed 1999-01Related service bulletins
- 10237648May 9, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10211764Apr 13, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10154601Dec 17, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10113406Feb 8, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10114913Oct 20, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10114448Apr 1, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10112034Jan 28, 2014This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10112864Feb 18, 2013This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10020462Oct 23, 2006Clunk noise felt through the floor pan.
- 10011755Oct 4, 2006Tailgate cable slack. This includes 1998-2006 chevrolet and gmc full and mid size trucks. *eh updated.
Body 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 1998 GMC Sonoma
55 complaintsSeats
29 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsAir bags
11 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 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