1994 GMC Sonoma
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › GMC › Sonoma › 1994
These records cover every 1994 GMC Sonoma. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
6 recalls name the 1994 GMC Sonoma. Newest first.
Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11b1, fp10026-11b1, and fp10027-11b1, sold after january 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. the universal pressure regulators (upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire.
Remedy
Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. the recall began on april 23, 2007. owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.
Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Remedy
Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. the recall began on october 18, 2006. owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
Certain r&b, inc. Central multiport fuel injection (cmfi) fuel return lines, models help 55163, napa balkamp 700-3270, and the connection 2560001, sold for use as replacement equipment for the vehicles listed above. the fuel return line has a mechanical bleed valve which was not installed at the proper torque.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A fuel leak can occur at the valve, possibly resulting in a fire.
Remedy
R&b, inc. Will notify owners and at the customers request, either replace the fuel line or offer a full refund. the recall began on may 4, 2006. owners may contact r&b, inc. At 215-712-5330.
This IS not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. however, it IS deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. vehicle description: certain light duty pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, or minivans equipped with 3-sensor ABS (antilock braking system) EBC4 units.
Risk and remedy
Risk
These vehicles can experience extended stopping distances during ABS stops on certain multiple surfaces, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will modify the computer program which operates the ABS unit on some vehicles, or replace the computer on others to improve the performance of the ABS on these surfaces.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this occurred at a time when minimum stopping distance was required, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will replace or repair the 4-wheel/2-wheel drive switch.
Vehicle description: extended cab pickup trucks equipped with 60/40 front bench seats and extended cab pickup trucks and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with manual locking recliner bucket seats. the outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If a separation occurred and there were secondary crash events or vehicle rollover, there would be no belt restraint of the occupant and increased injuries could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
Owner complaints
224 complaints18 involved a crash2 involved a fire5 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Vehicle speed control
Driving my 1994 sonoma at approx 50 mph on a highway when all of the sudden the gas pedal started to move away from the bottom of my foot and the vehicle began to accelerate on its own (as if the cruise control was taking over). I think that I then tapped the brake and the vehicle went back to…
Driving my 1994 sonoma at approx 50 mph on a highway when all of the sudden the gas pedal started to move away from the bottom of my foot and the vehicle began to accelerate on its own (as if the cruise control was taking over). I think that I then tapped the brake and the vehicle went back to normal speed, which was to decelerate as my foot was still off the gas pedal. I do not use cruise control, but cruise control switch was in the on position. I have since switched cruise control to off position and disconnected cruise control module harness, and will leave it disconnected.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light
ABS light IS on and dealer claims my 1994 GMC sonoma needs a $2,200 ABS computer replaced. There was recall on the ABS module in 7/00. I believe this recall affected the ABS computer that now needs replacing and I'm asking for assistance from GMC on sharing the replacement costs. *tr
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 GMC sonoma. the windshield wipers intermittently stop working while in use. the failure occurs at various speeds. the wipers can take 30 seconds to activate again, but other times, the contact has to wiggle and move the wiper motor for them to function properly. the…
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 GMC sonoma. the windshield wipers intermittently stop working while in use. the failure occurs at various speeds. the wipers can take 30 seconds to activate again, but other times, the contact has to wiggle and move the wiper motor for them to function properly. the dealer stated that no recall was available; however, they began recalling the 1995 models. the wipers have not been repaired. the failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 130,000.
- Vehicle speed control
I was accelerating from a stop light (going approx 20 mph) when the throttle stuck and quickly surged to red line. I shut off the ignition and coasted to the side of the road. The tachometer was pegged out. I restarted the vehicle and everything seemed fine. This happened once before (~8 years ago)…
I was accelerating from a stop light (going approx 20 mph) when the throttle stuck and quickly surged to red line. I shut off the ignition and coasted to the side of the road. The tachometer was pegged out. I restarted the vehicle and everything seemed fine. This happened once before (~8 years ago) while I was passing another vehicle on a rural highway. During that incident I also shut off the ignition but accidentally locked the steering wheel and ended up in the ditch. It was very difficult to stop the vehicle during that incident because I was going about 60 mph and had no power brakes since the ignition was off. I was unhurt but the vehicle was damaged during that incident. I took the vehicle into a dealer for inspection but they found nothing at that time. I am afraid to drive the vehicle now. *jb
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Windshield wipers operated intermittently; worsened with rainfall amount. Replaced wiper motor and condition persisted. contacted GMC with concern on 10/18/2005 (file #1-369184131). *Jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Suspension › Front › Shock absorber
Dt: the consumer owns a 1994 GMC sonoma. The consumer IS having problems with the brakes. Sometimes when she IS trying to stop, it will excessive force to stop the vehicle. the dealership wanted to charge her 125 dollars to look at it. In two months she has had the brakes replaced three times.…
Dt: the consumer owns a 1994 GMC sonoma. The consumer IS having problems with the brakes. Sometimes when she IS trying to stop, it will excessive force to stop the vehicle. the dealership wanted to charge her 125 dollars to look at it. In two months she has had the brakes replaced three times. They have replaced the rotors, pads, drums, emergency brake cable and nothing seemed to help. The ABS light has never come on. GMC stated the consumers vin was not included in with the recall because her vehicle was too old and a lot of miles on it. the shocks have also been replaced. the nhtsa campaign ID numbers are 99i006000 and 99v193000. *Jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Dt: this IS a GMC S15 sonoma 4 wheel drive truck. when the consumer applied the brakes, the ABS light illuminated. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and they said it was one of the 4 wheel speed sensors. *Jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist · Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly · Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
At 35 mph passanger lower ball joint failed and resulted in the vehicle being disabled and towed from from road. 94 sonoma 2.2 liter with 180,000 miles. I had no clue as to the problem and the vehicle seemed to run fine just before the failure.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Windshield wipers fail to operate often or fail while in operation on 1994 GMC sonoma. Recall was issued for same problem on 1995 and newer models, but not on 1994 models which have the same components. *Jb
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Windshield wipers stopped in center of windshield or park in center of windshield. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring
My winshield wipers stop working and then start working again without warning. This IS the same problem that the nhtsa had found and issued a recall for for a truck that IS 1 yr younger than mine. GMC says its not their problem.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Vehicle experienced the same defect with its windshield wipers as stated in recall 03 v 159 000; but this vehicle was not covered under recall due to vin. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Wipers will stop working and then begin working again. problem has been on and off for some time. *nlm
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
Problems with the windshield wiper. Also there was a recall on the same make model and year but consumer's vin number was not included. *tt
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light
Every time the brakes were applied, the vehicle would not stop immediately. *tt
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Windshield wipers stop working at random. I had this problem repaired (circuit board solder/connection failure) at my own expense. this IS the same problem covered by two (1998 and apr 03) recalls, but this truck IS not included in the recall for some reason, despite being the same design as the 95-ON model that IS covered. *jb
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Over the past four years I have had problems with my windshield wipers stopping or locking up intermittently while in use. I've had my mechanic check this problem several times, but he could not duplicate the failure as it IS a intermittent problem. I heard about a gm recall concerning this issue.…
Over the past four years I have had problems with my windshield wipers stopping or locking up intermittently while in use. I've had my mechanic check this problem several times, but he could not duplicate the failure as it IS a intermittent problem. I heard about a gm recall concerning this issue. I notified gm and they said that my vehicle 1994 GMC sonoma vin [xxx] was not included in the recall. I believe that this IS the same problem as the one covered by the recall. *nlm information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Windshield wipers stop working. they will sometimes start working again if you jiggle the connector wire to the wiper motor. the 1995 and newer models have a recall for this problem, but it does not extend to the 94 year. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The vehicle stalled without warning, which made the vehicle difficult to control. *jb ford recalled the same problem with aluminum head/steel block and could the cause of the gasket going out. scc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The anti-lock brake system failed, which caused theh vehicle to slide into a fence and caused damage to consumer's vehicle.*jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
Consumer states while driving that the brake IS to close to the acceleration pedal causing accident. ts
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Consumer states that the wiper works intermittently or stops during operation. Dealer notified and informed that vehicle was not cover under a manufactuerer recall. *Nlm
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Intermittently the windshield wipers comes on and off. The dealership IS aware of the problem.*jb *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Anti-lock light goes on & brakes go to the floor had it in to the dealer was told nothing was wrong, took it home light came on again & no brakes, twice I almost killed myself. Took it back to dealer they then found the problem, I was told it was hub bearing worn & rubbing on the anti-lock sensor.…
Anti-lock light goes on & brakes go to the floor had it in to the dealer was told nothing was wrong, took it home light came on again & no brakes, twice I almost killed myself. Took it back to dealer they then found the problem, I was told it was hub bearing worn & rubbing on the anti-lock sensor. I do not think that should make my brakes go to the floor. My brakes were in excellent condition. There were no signs of noise or wear on the hub bearings.*ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Windshield wipers come on and off intermittently. dealership IS aware of problem. *Ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- ABS braking system fails
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 4069300Unknown
- 608382Subject regarding ABS 3-sensor EBC4 - special policy.
- 52935Information concerning engine knock/rattle or tap noise before engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at operating temperature (replace piston and/or rod assemblies). Ak
- 51302Knock, rattle or tap noise from the engine before the engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at operating temperature knock, rattle or tap noise from the engine before the engine has reached operating temperature or under light load conditions at rature (replace piston and/or rod assemblies).
- 41078Stepper motor cruise control will not resume or reset (replace smcc module).
- 41076Water leak at the a/c recirculation door (install new hood hinge seal).
- 41072End gate latch rattle (install revised striker).
- 39816Light surge at highway speeds during light throttle.
- 39728Rear seat rattles/looseness (install rear seat latch).
- 39287Clutch pedal squeak noise.
- 39284Product safety campaign 94-c-61 - campaign announcement to recall certain 1994 s-truck pick-up models to correct the vacuum hose detatchment from the brake booster check valve as a result of an engine backfire.
- 39085Backfire on acceleration.
- 37934Improperly constructed instrument cluster causing erratic temperature gauge readings.
Every GMC Sonoma model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.