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1998 Chevrolet Sonoma problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma is transmission and drivetrain. It has 1.5 times the complaints of a typical Sonoma model year.

Typical year1.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
3
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
10
Worst area
Transmission

The worst 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Transmission
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Body
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Body
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Tailgate support cablesOpened April 14, 2005, closed May 19, 2006

General motors is conducting a special policy program for 903,464 owners of 2000 - 2003 model s/t vehicles through which owners may, at their option, either (1) periodically inspect the tailgate support cables installed in their vehicle and have the cables replaced if the cable coating exhibits any indications of damage or deterioration or (2) request that the tailgate support cables be replaced free of charge. Gm will honor all requests by owners who opt for replacement without question regardless of the condition or appearance of the cables. Gm has agreed to mail reminder notifications to owners every two years until the tailgate support cables have been replaced or until the vehicle is 12 years old.odi's investigation indicates that a significant majority of the reported complaints (87%) and injuries (94%) have occurred in my 2000 - 2003 s/t vehicles.

EA05008

Tailgate support cable(s) breakOpened November 22, 2004, closed April 14, 2005

Odi is upgrading rq04-012 and opening an ea to investigate the tailgate support cables installed in 1998 - 2004 model year sonoma and s10 model vehicles.general motors is conducting recall campaign 04v‑129 to replace the tailgate support cables originally installed in certain model year 2000-2004 sierras and silverados and certain model year 2002-2004 avalanches and escalade exts (c/k models).general motors has advised odithat the tailgate support cables installed in the subject vehicles were fabricated using identical or similar sheathing material as the recalled vehicles.however,general motors has advised odi that sonoma and s-10 vehicles differ from c/k models in several ways: the vehicle height is lower; the tailgate displacement (drop) when not supported by the cables is smaller and the tailgate comes to rest at a less severe tip angle when not supported by the cables; the tailgate mass is smaller; and the size, payload, and usage characteristcis are less demanding than c/k model vehicles.gm also stated that sonoma and s-10 warranty claim information indicates a lower claim count and a lower claim rate than recalled c/k models.notwithstanding the above information, odi has received an additional 73 non-injury complaints and 10 injury complaints on the subject vehicles during rq04-012 (since november 2004 to date), which justifies opening an engineering analysis to further investigate this issue.

RQ04012

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma 10

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 25, 2005 · Body, Transmission · 75,000 miles · MI

The windshield wipers worked intermittently, sometimes when the consumer turned them on a faster speed they will come on. The front passenger and driver seat handles were broken, they did not recline and metal was white. The transmission has been replaced six times, and the tailgate cables were broken and rusted. *jb.. Vehicle almost hit a large van when the windshield wipers stopped working. The windshield wipers almost always worked when it was dry outside. Consumer took out the circuit board and found the solder joint to the relay cracked.

Filed Dec 3, 2004 · Transmission · AL

While driving 20 MPH consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Suddenly, consumer was unable to shift gears, and the vehicle stalled. Vehicle was taken to a garage for inspection, and mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 8, 2003 · Visibility · IL

The windshield wipers failed.

Compare the 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma

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Questions about the 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma reliable?

Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma, 1.5 times a typical Sonoma model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints. Next is visibility (2).

How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma have?

No recalls on record.

Share your experience with the 1998 Chevrolet Sonoma

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