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.
The worst 1994 GMC Sonoma problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes136
- Visibility53
- Acceleration12
- Engine12
- Transmission10
- Electrical8
- Fuel system7
- Suspension7
- Lights4
- Seat belts2
- Steering2
- Tires2
- Body1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1994 GMC Sonoma
Recalls 2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- 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 distances during ABS stops while in the two-wheel drive mode.
- 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.
Recall number 99V193000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- 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
- 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.
Recall number 97V096001 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1994 GMC Sonoma
Defect investigations
Abs braking system fails
There is no summary currently available
PE94046
Technical service bulletins for the 1994 GMC Sonoma 14
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Subject regarding ABS 3-SENSOR EBC4 - special policy
- Information concerning engine knock/rattle or tap noise before engine has reached operating temperature or...
- Knock, rattle or tap noise from the engine before the engine has reached operating temperature or under...
- End gate latch rattle (install revised striker)
- Water leak at the a/c recirculation door (install new hood hinge seal)
- Stepper motor cruise control will not resume or reset (replace smcc module)
- Light surge at highway speeds during light throttle
- Unknown
- Clutch pedal squeak noise
1994 GMC Sonoma fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4‑cyl | RWD | 17-19 | 23-26 | 19-22 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-16 | 22-23 | 18-19 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15-16 | 20 | 16-17 |
What 1994 GMC Sonoma owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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 federal safety agency campaign id numbers are 99i006000 and 99v193000.
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.
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.
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.
Windshield wipers stopped in center of windshield or park in center of windshield.
Compare the 1994 GMC Sonoma
Other model years
199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032005
Questions about the 1994 GMC Sonoma
Is the 1994 GMC Sonoma reliable?
Owners have filed 224 complaints about the 1994 GMC Sonoma, 3.9 times a typical Sonoma model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1994 GMC Sonoma?
Brakes, with 136 complaints, typically around 115,000 miles. Next is visibility (53).
How many recalls does the 1994 GMC Sonoma have?
2 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and seat belts.
Was there a recall on the 1994 GMC Sonoma brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 99V193000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the GMC Sonoma have bad brakes?
The GMC Sonoma model years with the most brakes complaints are 1994 (136 complaints), 1995 (84 complaints) and 1996 (52 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1994 GMC Sonoma get?
Official estimates for the 1994 GMC Sonoma range from 16 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 17-19 city and 23-26 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1994 GMC Sonoma?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history