1999 GMC SONOMA Recalls, Complaints & Safety

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 GMC SONOMA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ON A FLOODED DIRT ROAD, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. AFTER THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WAS DELAYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CRACKED PELVIS, BROKEN FACIAL BONES, OPTIC NERVE DAMAGE, AND OTHER SEVERE INJURIES TO THE FACE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED BACK WINDSHIELD EXPLODED AND FRAME WAS BENT. *TR

Crash 1 injured

DURING A PANIC STOP THE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES FELT SOFT BUT STILL WORKED. DURING THE DRIVE THE BRAKES BECAME VERY WEAK. WHEN I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID IT WAS EMPTY. I REFILLED IT AND STARTED CHECKING FOR LEAKS. I FOUND THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES WE FRACTURED BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE DURING THE PANIC STOP CAUSING THE RUSTED LINES TO BURST. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ( BUT NOT REPORTED) PROBLEM FOR THIS TRUCK IN THE NORTHERN AREA..

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING OVER UNLEVELED LAND. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SONOMA. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED, ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

BRAKE LINE HYDRAULIC FAILURE OF HARD STEEL LINE. THE LINE THAT BROKE GOES TO THE BACK WHEELS ALONG THE FRAME. *TR

MY 1999 GMC SONOMA HAS HAD A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IT WAS TAKEN INTO JIM CAUSLEY'S PONTIAC/GMC IN CLINTON TOWNSHIP MI ONCE FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED. SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A BAD VEHICLE GROUND. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS TO THIS DAY. THE ONLY WAY I CAN AVOID RUNNING OUT OF GAS IS TO RESET THE TRIP ODOMETER EVERY TIME I FILL-UP. *TR

WHILE STEPPING OFF OF TAILGATE, BOTH CABLES SNAPPED AND THE TAILGATE FELL OFF OF PICKUP. NO BROKEN BONES, BUT BUMPS AND SCRAPES. CABLES ARE SEALED, EXCEPT FOR THE ENDS, WHERE WATER MUST HAVE GOTTEN INTO THEM AND CORRODED THE CABLE FROM THE INSIDE. *TR

1 injured

I HAVE ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL DIFFERENT CHEVY/GMC VEHICLES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING A LAGGING START AND IN SOME CASES NO START WITHOUT A BOOST. MY SONOMA HAS THE LAG AND I HAVE A FEW FRIENDS THAT HAVE BLAZERS AND FULL SIZE TRUCKS AS WELL. THE VARIATION OF ENGINE SIZES THAT ARE AFFECTED HAS ME PERPLEXED. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RUN CODES WITH NO FAULT RESULTS. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I ATTEMPT A STARTUP. *TR

THIS MESSAGE WAS ORIGINALLY SENT TO MY BROTHER ADVISING HIM OF THIS PROBLEM. BELOW IS THE EXPLANATION. IMAGINE THE TRUCK HAS A COUPLE OF TOW HOOKS ON THE FRONT END LIKE MINE DID. I WOULD BE CAREFUL USING THEM TO PULL THE VEHICLE OUT OF A HOLE ,USING ANYTHING OTHER THAN A CHAIN. CONVERSELY THE SAME WOULD APPLY IF ON WAS USING THEM TO PULL SOMETHING.*AK I HAVE BEEN USING MINE TO PULL THINGS FROM TIME TO TIME BUT MOSTLY TO RAISE THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK FOR OIL CHANGES ETC. TODAY LIKE ALWAYS, I USED MY AIR BUMPER JACK TO ENGAGE THE TWO HOOKS AND LIFT THE VEHICLE TO WORK ON. BECAUSE THE AIR JACK IS OLD AND LEAKS, WHEN YOU GET TO THE HEIGHT YOU WANT, IN A MOMENT OR TWO, THE JACK WILL USUALLY SETTLE BACK DOWN A BIT UNTIL IT ENGAGES THE SAFETY STOP. THIS USUALLY RESULTS IN A CLUNK AND SOME G LOAD TO THE HOOKS WHEN IT STOPS. TODAY WHEN IT SETTLED ONTO THE STOP, BOTH HOOKS FAILED AT THE FIRST ATTACHING BOLTS! THE AIR JACK VAULTED INTO THE AIR AND THE TRUCK CAME CRASHING DOWN TO THE GROUND. IN ANOTHER MOMENT, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HALF UNDER IT PLACING THE JACK STANDS! WHEN I THINK BACK, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I CHANGED THE OIL AND DID OTHER SERVICE WORK ON IT WITH NO SAFETY STANDS, AS THE AIR JACK HAS A SECURE SAFETY LATCH AND THE JACK PADS AND THE TOW HOOKS HAVE A POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT. IN LOOKING AT THE FAILURE, THERE ISN'T MUCH MEAT IN THE HOOK ASSEMBLY WHERE THE ATTACHMENT BOLTS ARE THREADED INTO THE SHANK OF THE HOOK. THE MATERIAL IS QUITE HARD AS THERE IS NO VISIBLE DEFORMATION IN THE FAILURE AREA. I GUESS IN RETROSPECT, THE HOOKS ARE THERE FOR PULLING AND NOT LIFTING BUT IF YOUR TRUCK WAS DOWN IN A DITCH YOU WOULD USE THESE HOOKS TO PULL/LIFT THE VEHICLE OUT. I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE STANDING IN THE WAY IF ONE OF THEM FAILED AND LAUNCHED A HOOK OF CONSIDERABLE MASS INTO THE AIR. JOHN

THE DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUST FAILED. NO PRESSURE--COULD BE PUT ON THE SEAT WITHOUT IT MOVING TO THE FULL BACK POSITION. THE DEALER INITIALLY REPLACED THIS IN MAR 05 AFTER ME AND DEALER SPEAKING WITH GMC CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. GMC REIMBURSED ME FOR COSTS. 15 MONTHS [!!] LATER, IT FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER HAD ONLY SEEN THIS ISSUE TWICE, BOTH TIMES WITH MY CAR. GMC INITIALLY DECLINED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THEN, AFTER DISCUSSION WITH ME, THEY OFFERED TO PAY FOR IT WITH ME UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY HAD NO LIABILITY AND WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY FUTURE REPAIRS OR WOULD OFFER ME $500 CERTIFICATE DISCOUNT ON A NEW GMC TRUCK. WHEN I MENTIONED THE SAFETY ISSUE POTENTIAL, THEY WANTED ME TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF I ACCEPTED THE MONEY, I WOULD HAVE NO STANDING IN FUTURE PROBLEMS OF THE SAME NATURE. I DECLINE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY POTENTIAL OF THIS. THEY HAVE TWICE CORRECTED THE SYMPTOMS. IS THERE AN UNDERLYING CAUSE??? ARE OTHERS HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP TO GET A HANDLE ON THIS FOR ME AND, POTENTIALLY, FOR OTHERS, TOO. THANK YOU. *JB

NOT SURE IF BELT BROKE FIRST OR FAN BLADE THE BLADE BROKE OFF AND FLEW INSIDE OF TRUCK CAUSING DAMAGE TO PARTS UNDER THE HOOD IT WAS 1000.00 TO FIX ALL THE PARTS BROKEN BY THIS. I HAVE ALL THE OLD PARTS. THE BELT WAS OK BUT SOMETHING CAUSED THE BLADE TO BRAKE OFF AND THERE ARE NOTICEABLE CRACKS IN THE BLADE AROUND THE NUT. BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE I HAD TO REPLACE A LOT OF COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURED UPON OPENING THE TAILGATE WITHOUT WARNING. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V129000, REGARDING THE TAILGATE HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 05/31/06. *TT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TAILGATE WAS OPENED THE HINGES BROKE. THE TAILGATE CAME TO REST ON THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V066000, REGARDING THE TAILGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL AND YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WROTE TO GMC INQUIRING WHY THEY WERE ONLY RECALLING 1999-2000 MODELS. WHAT ABOUT OTHER MODELS OF GMC TRUCKS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM LIKE THE 19999-2000 SONOMA'S. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE CABLE BROKE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE TAILGATE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V066000, REGARDING THE TAILGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DOOR HINGE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WORE OUT. THE WORN DOOR HINGE RESULTED IN A HOLE ON THE DOOR FRAME ALONG THE INNER PANEL. THE HINGE WAS REPLACED ONCE BEFORE BY A MECHANIC. THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. *AK

DT: WHILE THE VEHICLE OWNER WAS DRIVING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF THE WINDSHIELD. THE MIRROR HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE OWNER HAS FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM 7344810803 IS FILE NUMBER GIVEN FOR THIS REPORT. *JB THE TECHNICIAN CLAIMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE HEAT. *NM

TAIL GATE CABLE BROKE WHEN LOADING TRUCK. BOUGHT NEW CABLE AND REPLACED NO OLD PARTS KEPT. *NM

1999 GMC SONOMA EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, CD PLAYER, TIRES AND HEATING COIL.*MR CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT DEALER DID NOT TELL THEM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, EXCHANGED REBUILT TORQUE CONVERTER WITH TRANCES FILLER 12 MONTH OR 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. *BF *NM

FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE AND FLUCTUATES WHEN TRUCK IS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL READS BETWEEN 3/4 AND FULL WHEN DRIVING EVEN IF TANK IS CLOSE TO EMPTY. DROPS TO SHOW TANK IS EMPTY WHEN IN PARK EVEN IF FULL. *NM

WHILE THE DRIVER WAS ADJUSTING THE SEAT THE HANDLE SHEARED OFF. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED DRIVER SIDE SEAT HANDLE. ALSO, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . *AK THE CONSUMER HAS HAD FOUR HANDLES REPLACED IN ALL. *NM

SEALS AND GASKETS FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL, POWER STEERING, OIL PAN AND DRIVE TRAIN WERE ALL WORN AND NEEDED REPLACING

ADJUSTMENT HANDLE BROKE OFF AT THE BASE. AS A RESULT, SEAT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. *AK

DIFERENTIAL HAS A ZUMING VIBRATING AND CLIKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING BOTH AJUSTABLE SEAT HANDELS BROKE AND 3RD SMALL DOOR HANDEL HAS NEVER WORK PROPERLY AND KEEPS BREAKING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER HIT A COW IN THE ROAD, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE MECHANIC HAD NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM.*AK

Crash

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT RECLINE HANDLES HAVE COMPLETELY LEAVING BOTH SEATS INCAPABLE OF RECLINING. UNFORTUNATELY, LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS VULNERABLE IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. DRIVERS SIDE BROKE TWICE. 1ST TIME REPAIRED UNDER WARANTY. DRIVERS SIDE BROKE AFTER WARANTY HAD EXPIRED. PASSANGERS SIDE SAME AFTER WARNTY EXPIRED. NEATHER REPLACED AT THIS TIME. *AK

THE HEATER ON MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED WORKING AND THE MANUFACTURE (GMC) AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. THERE IS A NHTSA BULLERIN ON THIS (634218). I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY OTHER VEHICLES LIKE MINE (1999 GMC SONOMA) HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM.

DEALER WHERE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOR REPAIRS SAYS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MUST BE PULLED AND DISASSEMBLED TO DETERMINE WHAT IS BROKEN AND THE FACTORY WILL NOT PROVIDE WARRANTY RELIEF SINCE THE TRUCK IS OVER 4 YEARS OLD EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 36,489 MILES. ORIGINAL WARRANTY WAS 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES WHICH EVER COMES FIRST. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED BY DEALER SINCE PURCHASE. THE TRUCK GAVE A HIGH SCREECHING NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER IN THE TRANSMISSION, FORWARD DRIVE GEAR. I PULLED OFF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY PARKWAY IN HERNDON AND PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. NEXT DAY TRIED TO BACK UP TRUCK AND TRANSMISSION GAVE SCREECHING NOISE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. IF VEHICLE IS 2, 3 OR 4 YEARS OLD BUT ONLY HAS 36,489 MILES WHY CAN'T GMC PROVIDE RELIEF FOR A VEHICLE DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS SAFETY RELATED DUE TO LOSS OF POWER AND MANEUVER ABILITY WHEN IT OCCURRED? VEHICLE IS AT A GMC DEALER WHICH I DID NOT PURCHASE FROM FOR REPAIRS AS I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR REPAIRS. CAN YOU PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE WITH GMC ON WARRANTY OR SECRET WARRANTY REPAIRS? *JB

REAR BRAKE ROTORS DISINTEGRATED AFTER 22,000 MILES. HAD TO BE TURNED AND PADS REPLACED. FRONT ROTORS REPLACED AT 32,000 MILES SAME CONDITION. MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 32,800 MILES. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND NEARLY WENT IN FRONT OF A SEMI. PEDAL CAN BE PUMPED UP BUT GRADUALLY GOES TO FLOOR. *TT

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT RECLINE HANDLES HAVE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF LEAVING BOTH SEATS INCAPABLE OF RECLINING. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT IS STUCK IN A FORWARD POSITION LEAVING THE PASSENGER SOMEWHAT VULNERABLE IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR.*JB

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES THE FUEL INDICATOR READS VEHICLE IS FULL OF GAS. WHEN IN ACTUALITY VEHICLE IS EMPTY. AND WHEN TANK IS EMPTY IT READS FULL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FAILED CLOSED AND CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF CALIPERS AND ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES AS ABS SYSTEM COMPENSATED FOR FAILURE THIS DISGUISING THE PROBLEM. DT

WHILE DRIVING 30MPH RECLINING SEATBACK HANDLES ON BOTH SIDES BREAK OFF. REPLACED AND PROBLEM REOCCURRED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE HYDROPLANED INTO A TREE AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Crash

DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE HUB BEARINGS FAILED. *AK

BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE PADS ARE WORN UNEVENLY CAUSING THE CALIPER GUIDE SLEEVES TO BIND. NLM

SEAT RECLINER HINGE STRIPED, LEFT FRONT SEAT RECLINER HANDLE BROKEN. NLM

R/F BUMPER CAME LOOSE. NLM

THE THROTTLE CABLE COMES OFF ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHILE DRIVING, ALMOST CAUSING AND ACCIDENT ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. NLM

SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BLOWING THE IGNITION FUSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL THE WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN SHORTED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN TRAFFIC, SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND FROM UNDER THE HOOD.

THE DRIVERSIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT RECLINER LEVERS IN MY VEHICLE HAVE BROKEN FOUR TIMES. WHEN THESE BREAK, THE SEAT LAYS FLAT BACK AND YOU CANNOT MOVE IT UP AND DOWN. I HAD THE ORIGINALS REPLACED AT DIFFERENT TIMES, AND NOW AGAIN THEY ARE BOTH BROKEN. THE PART IS JUNK, AND NEEDS REMODELING. IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO HAVE THIS LEVER BROKEN, BECAUSE THEN THE SEAT IS BROKEN. WILL THE SEAT BELT WORK CORRECTLY IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT? GENERAL MOTORS HAS TOLD ME TO PAY FOR THE PARTS, BUT I BELIEVE THE PART IS FAULTY AND THEY SHOULD RE-DESIGN AND FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER FOUR TIMES.

DRIVERS FRONT SEAT TRACK INSIDE PLASTIC COMPONENT HAS BROKEN, CAUSING SEAT TO REMAIN IN A UNLOCKED POSITION. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED TRACK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

THE PADS ARE WORN UNEVENLY CAUSING THE CALIPER GUIDE SLEEVES TO BIND. NLM

SEAT RECLINER HINGE STRIPED, LEFT FRONT SEAT RECLINER HANDLE BROKEN. NLM

R/F BUMPER CAME LOOSE. NLM

THE THROTTLE CABLE COMES OFF ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHILE DRIVING, ALMOST CAUSING AND ACCIDENT ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. NLM