The air bag light stays on. It turns off sometimes for about 5 minutes or fewer minutes. No repair shop can determine how to repair this issue. When the air bag light is on the air bag would not operate that's what I have read. Is there a recall on the air bag light? Or is there a fix for this issue?
The worst 1996 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.
- Brakes52
- Visibility31
- Engine19
- Transmission16
- Airbags10
- Electrical8
- Acceleration7
- Fuel system6
- Seats6
- Suspension6
- Lights3
- Body2
- Seat belts2
- Tires2
- Locks1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 GMC Sonoma
Wipers 26ABS 21Brake failure 13Stalling 10No deployment 6Ball joint 5
Recalls 6
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
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty passenger pickup trucks equipped with 4.3l engines. The front brake line can contact the left-hand side of the engine oil pan causing the brake line to wear to the point of brake fluid loss during brake application.
- Risk
- Brake fluid loss can reduce braking effectiveness and increase stopping distances resulting in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the clearance between the oil pan and the brake line. If the clearance is 6mm or less, dealers will install an additional brake line clip and if there was contact between the oil pan and brake line, the front brake line will be replaced.
Recall number 97V146001 · 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
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- The top coat paint severely peels due to overbaking of the powder primer prior to the top coat application. Since the windshield primer and adhesive adhere to the top coat paint onthe windshield opening flange, the windshield does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting."
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the windshield may not stay in place as required by fmvss no. 212.
- Remedy
- All vehicles have been repurchased. This campaign is 100%.
Recall number 97V008001 · Recall details
Power train: manual transmission
- What is wrong
- Some of these trucks were built with transmissions containing parts which were not machined to gm's specifications.
- Risk
- These transmissions could seize and lock the rear drive wheels while the truck is being driven causing a loss of vehicle control increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the transmission main shaft output torque using a special tool. If the output torque does not meet specifications, the transmission will be replaced.
Recall number 96V035000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 GMC Sonoma 36
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...
- Fuel system, gasoline
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Equipment
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Engine and engine cooling
- Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds
- Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case
- 4WD models with noise, vibration on dry pavement
1996 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 | 18-20 | 25-27 | 20-23 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 16-17 | 22-23 | 19 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 17 |
What 1996 GMC Sonoma owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Fuse blows to interior lights, but more importantly horn.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 gmc sonoma. The contact stated that the straps that support the tailgate failed. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of failure. No repairs were made. The dealer information was unknown. The current mileage was 152,000 and failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 12/12/2007 *bf updated 12/12/07
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 gmc sonoma. While applying the brakes at 55 MPH, the brake pedal extended all the way to the floor. The emergency brake was applied to stop the vehicle. The contact was a mechanic and he replaced the front brake line for the passenger side wheel. The failure was corrected temporarily. However, twenty miles later, the failure recurred while driving 30 MPH. The brake line for the front driver side was replaced. The road conditions were normal during both failures. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency recall number 97v146001 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The current mileage was 105,000 and failure mileage was 104,980.
Fuel line leaking .
Tl* - the contact called concerning a service bulletin regarding windshield wiper washer motor. The bulletin has a product recall. The contact has been told by gmc that the car was not a part of the recall\ due to the VIN. The contact stated that the windshield wipers work intermittently. The contact stated that the windshield wipers will either stay up in the air, won't work at all, or shut off by themselves. The last incident was on december 26, 2006. The contact stated that the problem with the windshield wipers began in july 2006. The contact called the dealer, and they gave her a service request no. 71-463971283, and then the dealer denied it.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 MPH under normal braking on wet roads, the ABS lights illuminated and the vehicle had an extended stopping distance. The dealer examined the vehicle and determined the three sensors had to be replaced, but were not certain that the replacement would correct the problem. The vehicle was currently at the dealer for further repairs. The contact encountered the federal safety agency recall # 99i006000 regarding the service brakes, hydraulic: antilock.
1996 gmac sonoma air bag sensor rivet failure. Found drivers side sensor hanging from electrical lead, when I inspected the mounting area I found that the two rivets that secure the sensor were sheared off. I inspected the other sensor mounting and found that one of the two rivets was also sheared off. No front end impact had occurred and no indications were noted.
My engine has been surging, slow start, rattling, rough idle, hard shifting, and I have had the trasmission replaced 3 times. My dealer told me after an inspection that there was nothing wrong, but it was under warranty at the time. Go figure! I have proof of the new trasmissions. Now the compressor is cracked, and it will not hold coolant, and I can hardly get the truck going after sitting all night. These repairs are costing alot of money, and I am still paying for this truck. It is not worth the cost of repairs.
Abs anti-brake system has failed. Light continuously stays on. Analysis has determined that three of the four sensors are bad. Vehicle has only 40,000 miles on it. Also analysis has determined that the catalictic converter is defective, causing the service engine soon "light" to be on continuously.
Compare the 1996 GMC Sonoma
Other model years
199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032005
Questions about the 1996 GMC Sonoma
Is the 1996 GMC Sonoma reliable?
Owners have filed 148 complaints about the 1996 GMC Sonoma, 2.6 times a typical Sonoma model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 GMC Sonoma?
Brakes, with 52 complaints. Next is visibility (31).
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Sonoma have?
6 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, visibility and seat belts.
Was there a recall on the 1996 GMC Sonoma brakes?
Yes, 2 recalls: 99V193000, 97V146001. 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 1996 GMC Sonoma get?
Official estimates for the 1996 GMC Sonoma range from 17 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 18-20 city and 25-27 highway.
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