Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 | 2 | 0 |
| 1996 | 3 | 1 |
| 1995 | 3 | 1 |
| 1994 | 6 | 2 |
| 1993 | 4 | 0 |
| 1992 | 3 | 1 |
| 1991 S15 | 8 | 3 |
| 1990 | 3 | 1 |
| 1989 S15 | 8 | 1 |
| 1988 | 2 | 0 |
| 1987 | 3 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 | 2 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 0 | 1 |
| 1983 | 0 | 1 |
| 1982 | 0 | 2 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Service brakes, hydraulic18
- Visibility8
- Electrical system8
- Seat belts7
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Steering4
- Exterior lighting3
- Vehicle speed control2
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 5 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 10.5–10.9 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | S15 Sonoma · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.2 | 8.8 | 10.7 |
| 1998 | S15 Sonoma · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.5 | 8.9 | 10.9 |
| 1997 | S15 Sonoma · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.1 | 8.6 | 10.5 |
| 1996 | S15 Sonoma · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.1 | 8.6 | 10.5 |
| 1995 | S15 Sonoma · Pickup truck: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.1 | 9.0 | 10.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
13 campaigns cover the S15; the latest 12 are below.
SOME OF THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH TRANSMISSIONS CONTAINING PARTS WHICH WERE NOT MACHINED TO GM'S SPECIFICATIONS.
FAN BLADE RIVET BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR CAUSING THE FAN BLADE TO SEPARATE FROM THE SPIDER.
A VACUUM HOSE CAN DETACH FROM THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE AS A RESULT OF ENGINE BACKFIRE.
THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPES WERE NOT MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND THE VENT TUBE DURING A TEST. THE LOSS OF FUEL WAS IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PERMITTED BY FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES BREAK AS A RESULT OF FATIGUE AND/OR VEHICLE INDUCED STRESS.
NUTS USED TO ATTACH LOWER CONTROL ARMS, REAR SPRING AND SHACKLE, AND REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND COULD "STRIP".
USE OF IMPROPER PRIMER ON METAL SURFACES OF WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOW OPENINGS COULD CAUSE LOW ADHESION TO THE METAL SURFACE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE RETENTION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212.
INNER TIE ROD TO RELAY ROD NUTS ON STEERING LINKAGE MAY BE IIMPROPERLY TORQUED AND NOT CRIMPED.
TIRE AND WHEEL INFORMATION ON CERTIFICATION LABEL MAY BE INCORRECT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 120.
THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
EXCESSIVE ENLARGEMENT OF THE WHEEL CYLINDER PILOT HOLE IN THE REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATE COULD ALLOW THE WHEEL CYLINDER TO ROTATE AND CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID LEADS TO LOSS OF REAR BRAKE ACTION, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. FRONT BRAKES WOULD REMAIN OPERATIONAL.
REAR WHEELS MAY LOCK SUDDENLY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION BETWEEN MAINSHAFT AND FIRST GEAR.
NHTSA recalls