Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1993 GMC Sonoma, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes, hydraulic31
- Power train7
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Electrical system5
- Vehicle speed control4
- Seats3
- Steering2
- Suspension2
- Visibility2
- Seat belts1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 9 1993 Sonoma vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 7 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1993 GMC Sonoma failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1993 passenger car (1.20%). Median odometer at inspection: 123,491 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1993 GMC Sonoma.
| 1999135 26 Jul 1999 | Brakes Certain four wheel drive vehicles may experience increased stopping distances during ABS stops while in the two-wheel drive mode. A switch can erroneously sign… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.
SIGNIFICANT WEAR CAN DEVELOP ON THE LOW AND REVERSE CLUTCH PREVENTING THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING. THIS CAN PREVENT A "NO PARK" CONDITION TO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, CAUSING UNINTENTIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTION. (THE "NO PARK" CONDITION WILL NOT OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS OFF.)
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What GMC told its dealers about the 1993 GMC Sonoma: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 41076 | WATER LEAK AT THE A/C RECIRCULATION DOOR (INSTALL NEW HOOD HINGE SEAL). *TW |
| 41072 | END GATE LATCH RATTLE (INSTALL REVISED STRIKER). *TW |
| 39728 | REAR SEAT RATTLES/LOOSENESS (INSTALL REAR SEAT LATCH). *TW |
| 39286 | 95-C-52 CAMPAIGN BULLETIN. *TW |
| 39285 | LETTER ANNOUNCING THE RE-ISSUE OF PRODUCT CAMPAIGN 93-C-52. *TW |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation