1998 GMC Sonoma
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 57 of 156 complaints (37%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more crash reports (8) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 111 in 1997 to 156 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 gas-powered vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–3,650 | 2,700–3,900 | 2,850–3,900 | 2,700–3,900 | 2,700–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–23 | 16–23 | 16–22 | 16–23 | 16–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–20 / 20–27 | 15–20 / 20–27 | 14–20 / 19–26 | 14–20 / 19–26 | 14–20 / 19–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–523 | 386–555 | 404–555 | 386–555 | 386–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 148 | 111 | 156 | 57 | 136 | |
| Recalls issued | 9 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 26 | 14 | 9 | 6 | 15 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 GMC Sonoma have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 GMC Sonoma?
Visibility & Lighting: 57 of 156 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 GMC Sonoma get?
EPA rates it 16–22 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 GMC Sonoma?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 16 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 15 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 17 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 12 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 41 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 57 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES · Campaign 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 00V220000 · Aug 11, 2000
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUILT WITH A CANDELA VALUE GREATER THAN 3,000 CANNOT BE MOUNTED HIGHER THAN 864MM ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE.
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED WIRING HARNESS THAT CHANGES THE DRL'S FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM DRL'S, AND INSTALL NEW LONG-LIFE LOW BEAM BULBS.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 97V218000 · Dec 3, 1997
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR AXLE RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A SLOW BRAKE FLUID LEAK RESULTING IN A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE BRAKE PIPE BREAKS, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence: PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD · Campaign 97V208001 · Nov 26, 1997
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Consequence: THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THE DEALER AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED TO THEM UNTIL THE DEALER CAN REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS.