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.
1996 GMC Sonoma brakes problems
52 complaints (35% of all complaints for this car). 16 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 52
- of this car's complaints
- 35%
- crashes
- 16
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip34
- Foundation components9
- Foundation components: disc3
- Power assist: vacuum2
- Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
- Antilock2
- Power assist1
- Foundation components: disc: pads1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
GMC Sonoma brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 GMC Sonoma brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
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
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
What 1996 GMC Sonoma owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
The brake system leaked fluid which caused extended stopping distance, the master cylinder was replaced, however the problem recurred.
In snowey or rainey weather, antilock brakes pulsate irradically at various speeds (including 5 MPH) when brakes are applied, even when no skid or hard breaking is occuring. Braking when this occurs, which is intermittently, is poor and uneven. Dealer and gm corp. Contacted, but all say no recalls have been initiated. This is a dangerous condition, and an accident (law suit) waiting to happen.
Previous owner stated ABS light has been on/off last 2 years.
Abs brakes are causing vehicle two wheel drive to lock up when applying brakes in wet conditions. Dealer notified .
No summary listed for above vehicle.
This is an update to a previously submitted report for ABS failure on this vehicle. The incident date on this report is approximate. The two wires to the right front ABS sensor were severed by interference with the upper control arm and the disk brake back plate/splash shield, to which the wiring is attached with riveted metal clips. It appears that the wires became trapped between the upper control arm stamping and the hub and/or disk brake back plate/splash shield, possibly during turns that cycled the front suspension. The wiring insulation is worn in several locations other than the break point, and the first metal clip has been torn off the pop rivet that holds it to the backplate/splash shield. This is the second time this wiring has failed due to this design or installation defect. The first failure was repaired under warranty. No repairs have been performed at this time as we have been waiting for recall information from gm, which arrived recently, but it addressed an ABS programming problem that affected braking on surfaces that transitioned from wet to dry and back.
We have had numerous problems with this vehicle sine one month after purchase including the idle sticking/interior moulding cracking/transmission rebuilt/computer replaced due to failure engine check light indicator light does not turn off, and right side brake does not seem to wear properly.. My husband is able to recall more.
Questions about the 1996 GMC Sonoma brakes
Does the 1996 GMC Sonoma have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 52 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 GMC Sonoma, 35% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1996 GMC Sonoma brakes problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
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).
Other 1996 GMC Sonoma problems
Visibility 31Engine 19Transmission 16Airbags 10Electrical 8Acceleration 7Fuel system 6Seats 6Suspension 6Lights 3Body 2Seat belts 2Tires 2Locks 1Steering 1Wheels 1
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