1998 GMC Sonoma Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 35%of 156 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 GMC Sonoma, 35% of the 156 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My truck has 70,000 miles and it has problems with the windshield wipers. This has been going on for a couple of years. You can hit on the inside of the motor and it will start working. I can be driving and all of a sudden they will quit. I have noticed that a lot of people have this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10251888, filed 2008-12, 50,000 miles“A few month after I bought my 1998 Gmc Sonoma the windshield wipers stopped working. Sometime they come on and work for a few minutes and then stop but many times they never work. My dealer says the 97 sonomas were recalled for the same problem that continues on to the 98 model. This makes it extremely dangerous to drive in the rain.”
NHTSA complaint #10090470, filed 2004-09, 75,000 miles“My 98 Gmc Sonoma's windshield wiper module failed causing poor visibility during rain. Initially, I was able to tap the module to regain wiper use, but the problem has become unmanageable. I have taken my vehicle to be repaired at neil twinter motors costing $95.81.”
NHTSA complaint #10136625, filed 2005-09, 25 miles“My windshield wipers on my truck will work for a while and then lock up, today I was driving on the interstate and it was raining and the wipers were working fine and then it began pouring suddenly the wipers stopped about halfway almost causing me to lose control.”
NHTSA complaint #10096063, filed 2004-10, 67,880 miles“Certain GM trucks have been recalled but the others have not but the same component was used in other models and the same isue occurs. I had a 1997 isuzu hombre that had this problem and now I have a 1998 Gmc Sonoma nad the same problem occurs. The 1997 chevy s-10s were recalled for this issue but the recall should be extended to other yeas as well. Listed below is the issue with the 1997 s10s. The exact same problem occurs on 98 Gmc sonomas as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #10060356, filed 2004-03, 80,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 | 8% |
| 2002 | 1 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 4% |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% |
| 1998 | 55 | 35% |
| 1997 | 30 | 27% |
| 1996 | 31 | 21% |
| 1995 | 52 | 24% |
| 1994 | 53 | 24% |
| 1993 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1998 GMC Sonoma
29 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 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 29, 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