GMC Sonoma Visibility Problems
Owners have filed 178 complaints with NHTSA about visibility problems on the GMC Sonoma across 8 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (55). The words owners use most often: “windshield wipers” (56% of reports).
- 178visibility complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 48%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Windshield wipers: mentioned in 100 of 178 complaints (56%)
- Wiper motor: mentioned in 31 of 178 complaints (17%)
- Circuit board: mentioned in 12 of 178 complaints (7%)
- Causing poor: mentioned in 9 of 178 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do visibility problems happen?
Based on 48 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 178 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 2 an injury.
GMC Sonoma visibility complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Sonoma | 3 | 8% | 50,000 |
| 2002 Sonoma | 1 | 2% | 7,400 |
| 2000 Sonoma | 5 | 4% | 70,000 |
| 1999 Sonoma | 1 | 2% | 60,000 |
| 1998 Sonoma | 55 | 35% | 52,500 |
| 1997 Sonoma | 30 | 27% | 63,000 |
| 1996 Sonoma | 31 | 21% | 67,500 |
| 1995 Sonoma | 52 | 24% | 79,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Model years: 1995, 1996
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Risk: This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Visibility:windshield
Model years: 1996
Problem: The top coat paint severely peels due to overbaking of the powder primer prior to the top coat application. Since the windshield primer and adhesive adhere to the top coat paint onthe windshield opening flange, the windshield does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting."
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the windshield may not stay in place as required by fmvss no. 212.
Fix: All vehicles have been repurchased. This campaign is 100%.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 gmc sonoma. The contact stated that the windshield wipers would stop working sporadically. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was…
Windshield wipers stop operating unexpectedly. They will then begin operating again after being turned off for period of time. Recently in early april 2011 at about 91,000 miles. They stopped working shortly after starting the truck before leaving the parking lot.
The windshield wipers have only worked intermittently whenever they are run. In the heaviest rain you cannot count on them and sometimes they won't come on at all. This is very dangerous problem when they quit working in the middle of the road in the middle of a rain. They have not made it a whole…
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 gmc sonoma. In march of 1998, the windshield wipers began working intermittently. In november of 2008, while driving approximately 60 mph in the rain, the windshield wipers stopped working completely. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and they stated that the wiper…
I have encountered trouble with my windshield wipers. They go on and off intermittently. I am assuming the problem is the pulse wiper relay, and was wondering if there was a recall for this product. I was driving in heavy rain when this occurred, and there was nearly a collision. Please let me know…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sonomas have visibility problems?
No. NHTSA has 178 owner complaints about visibility for the GMC Sonoma. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Sonoma visibility?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list visibility. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about visibility problems on the GMC Sonoma?
The most frequent phrase is “windshield wipers”, in 100 of 178 complaints, followed by “wiper motor” (31).
Other GMC Sonoma problems
See all GMC Sonoma problems.