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.
1994 GMC Sonoma: ABS light or ABS activating
66 of the 224 complaints about the 1994 GMC Sonoma describe ABS light or ABS activating.
- owner complaints
- 66
- of this car's complaints
- 29%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
ABS light or ABS activating by model year
What owners say
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.
The ABS brakes that gmc put on this pickup appear to be miss calibrated or something like that. The brakes appear to work fine at high speeds. It is a different story when you try to stop when the speed drops. Dry pavement with sand on it the stopping distance is extended. The local dealer found an special factory order and replaced the brake brain which didn't change anything. The brake pads on the front are new and the rear shoes are in good shape. When you try to drive on the antifreeze compound the state and city apply to the streets makes it a real challange to even slow down with out front brake lock up. I carry about 400# of weight in the winter to faciltate starting and stopping. Last winter I was coming down a hill very slowly and applied the brakes and front wheel lockup and the back wheels didn't stop but turned slowly leaving tread marks. The rears didn't slide at all as I slide off the road in the a snow bank. I try not to drive the pickup in the winter because I don't want to cause a wreck. Every time I try and stop in the winter it is a thrill. My car has ABS and I know how ABS should work. This pickup is the greatest truck I have every owned except for the brakes. I do understand that my truck has many miles on it, but it is well maintained. Gmc should be able to come out with a fix for the brakes before somebody is killed. I really don't want to park the truck or junk it. Thank you.
Abs brakes would fail to stop vehicle when pedal was pressed. Problem was intermittent. This resulted in extended stopping distance.
Abs light continues to illuminate while vehicle is in motion. Dealer has inspected vehicle.
Consumer was traveling on a side road and went to apply brakes, and ABS brake system didn't kick in. There was snow on the ground.
Vehicle experienced failure of the recall component (99i-006) prior to recall notification, consumer is requesting reimbursement for the entire ABS system.
Recall 99v193000/ABS: ABS failure resulted in extended stopping distance at slow speed, and pedal going all the way to the floor. This problem has caused two rear end accidents. Dealer was not notified at this time.
Brake failure caused pedal to go to the floor, replaced master cylinder still the light came on possible the ABS failure. Yh
Vehicle not listed by gmc as being one as defined by the federal safety agency campain id number: 99v193000. This is per my local gmc dealer. My vehicle's anti-lock brakes do malfunction as defined. On icy/snow covered surfaces and gravel hills the brake pedal will suddenly drop while foot pressure is being applied. The brakes will then lockup unexpectedly. The only way to overcome or prevent this malfunction is to place the vehicle shift lever into four wheel drive before hand. This problem is so widespread there is an aftermarket kit available that allows the gmc owner to bypass the ABS system. I know gm owners who have done so because they feel the ABS brake system is unsafe. Do you know how many of the 1125749 potential number of units affected were actuallly notified by gmc to have this problem corrected?
Brakes are woefully inadequate with or without ABS coming into play. I've had numerous incidents where I could not stop this vehicle in a normal stopping distance because of either ABS kicking in from a single tire bounce while stopping on uneven road surfaces or when the truck was loaded, such as when hauling heavy material or pulling a loaded trailer. The front disc pads for this truck are exceedingly undersized when compared against a similar weighted sedan (5300lbs) and sedans aren't expected to haul 1/2 ton loads. I have accidentally traveled through intersections trying to stop this vehicle several times. Luckily never hitting anyone or getting hit but very disturbed. I understand there are two recall campaign programs slated for this vehicle by gm (99i006000 and 99v193000) but per my dealer gm is several months away from having any parts or corrections for this.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
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
Questions about the 1994 GMC Sonoma abs
Is ABS light or ABS activating a common problem on the 1994 GMC Sonoma?
66 of 224 owner complaints about the 1994 GMC Sonoma (29%) mention ABS light or ABS activating. The model year with the most reports is 1994.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1994 GMC Sonoma?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1994 GMC Sonoma
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