Chevrolet Sonoma Problems by Year
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Chevrolet Sonoma, across 9 model years (1995–2003). The 1999 model year has the most complaints (4). The most reported problem area overall is service brakes, hydraulic.
Chevrolet Sonoma years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Sonoma model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1999 Sonoma: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1995 Sonoma: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2002 Sonoma: 3 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1996 Sonoma: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 1997 Sonoma: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2000 Sonoma: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Chevrolet Sonoma problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Chevrolet Sonoma model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Sonoma | 1 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 2002 Sonoma | 3 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2001 Sonoma | 2 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2000 Sonoma | 1 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1999 Sonoma | 4 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1998 Sonoma | 3 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 1997 Sonoma | 1 | 0 | — | Visibility | |
| 1996 Sonoma | 1 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 1995 Sonoma | 4 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
More from Chevrolet: all Chevrolet models · Chevrolet VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Sonoma years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1999 (4), 1995 (4), 2002 (3). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Chevrolet Sonoma?
Service Brakes, Hydraulic, with 6 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Sonoma have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.