I was accelerating onto interstate highway i94 when my truck suddenly bounced up jumping and coming back down on the entrance ramp. As I looked in my rear view mirror I saw my spare tire bouncing off into a nearby field. The spare was held under the truck bed by a steel cable which later I found broke. The tire had jammed under the truck bed rupturing the steel gasoline filler tube. I explored the rupture closed and have not yet replaced the spare tire retaining assembly under the truck.
The worst 1995 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.
- Brakes84
- Visibility52
- Engine26
- Airbags13
- Fuel system11
- Electrical9
- Seat belts7
- Transmission7
- Seats6
- Tires6
- Acceleration5
- Lights3
- Body2
- Steering2
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1995 GMC Sonoma
Recalls 3
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
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
- Risk
- This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Recall number 98V150001 · 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 3 recalls for the 1995 GMC Sonoma
Defect investigations
Windshield wiper failure
There is no summary currently available
EA97022
Windshield wiper
During this preliminary evaluation, over 400 additional complaints were furnished by gm.in addition gm reported over 3000 wiper system warranty repairs on the subject vehicles.
PE97028
Technical service bulletins for the 1995 GMC Sonoma 30
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds. tt
- Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. tt 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks. tt
- Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds on various models including the 1995 and 1996 envoy. tt
- Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling...
1995 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 | 18-21 | 24-26 | 20-23 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-16 | 21-22 | 17-18 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 19-20 | 16-17 |
| 5.2L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 17 |
What 1995 GMC Sonoma owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 gmc sonoma. While driving at speeds of 45 MPH approaching a stop sign and depressing the brake pedal, it would not engage. The contact then abruptly depressed the brakes and was able to stop the vehicle; however, the rear wheels continued spinning and the engine continued to idle at extremely high rpms. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer; no repairs have been made to date. The failure mileage was 148,000 and the current mileage was 169,210. Updated 5/12/10 *cn while waiting for the light, at times the engine would abruptly go to full throttle. Updated 06/04/10.
1995 gmc sonoma dies while driving, all electrical systems fail. Have to put in neutral to restart while moving.
I had problems with my 1995 gmc windshield wipers working intermittently,and one day,on my first day back to work as a teacher,it rained horribly and the wipers wouldn't work. I paid a lot of money to firestone to get them fixed. Now I read there was a recall and never received any info. And have lived at the same place for 18yrs.. Sewell motors in dallas,tx sold me the vehicle in 1995.
While driving, the wipers can stop causing a sudden loss of visibility.
Fuel tank leaking where plastic sheild covers tank. Defective design trapped water and road debris against inadequately protected fuel tank, resulting in failure of fuel containment system. Concern that leaking fuel tank could propose fire hazzard.
The spare tire detached from under the vehicle. The cable looked like it snapped.
When the consumer pressed the accelerator pedal, it stuck open, which almost caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle. *jb. The consumer was told to replace the throttle position sensor and idle air control valve which seemed to solve the problem. *ts
The multi-function/combination swith that controls the high/low beams, wipers, turn signals failed. This caused my taillights to stop functioning properly. They don't work at all with headlights on, turn signals do not work, reverse lights do not work. I drive a 1995 gmc sonoma short bed, standard cab, sl package. 5 speed mt, non-tilt, no cruise, no power anything.
While driving and and without warning side mirror will fall off, causing a distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified.
Compare the 1995 GMC Sonoma
Other model years
199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032005
Questions about the 1995 GMC Sonoma
Is the 1995 GMC Sonoma reliable?
Owners have filed 213 complaints about the 1995 GMC Sonoma, 3.7 times a typical Sonoma model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1995 GMC Sonoma?
Brakes, with 84 complaints. Next is visibility (52).
How many recalls does the 1995 GMC Sonoma have?
3 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, visibility and seat belts.
Was there a recall on the 1995 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 1995 GMC Sonoma get?
Official estimates for the 1995 GMC Sonoma range from 16 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 18-21 city and 24-26 highway.
VIN decoder
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