Approx one mile from home as I was approaching a stop sign engine suddenly shut off. After a few seconds managed to restart engine. Engine shut down twice more before arriving back home. At home was unable to restart engine had vehicle towed to gmc/buick dealership. Dealership found that problem was defective ignition switch assembly. Replaced ignition switch at a cost of $600.23, I was informed vehicle was not on current recall list. If not, why not. Thank god I was not on interstate with a 16 wheeler behind me. I contacted gmc customer assistance requested to be reimbursed for above cost. Request denied because vehicle not on recall list. I also have a 2004 cadillac which is on recall list for ignition switch never received recall letter until I complained at above customer service they did send me recall letter concerning cadillac. Unable to have switch repaired because cadillac dealer cannot get parts.
The worst 1997 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.
- Brakes36
- Visibility30
- Airbags9
- Electrical9
- Engine9
- Fuel system9
- Transmission9
- Acceleration7
- Body5
- Lights3
- Steering3
- Suspension3
- Tires3
- Locks2
- Seat belts2
- Wheels2
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 GMC Sonoma
Recalls 2
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
See all 2 recalls for the 1997 GMC Sonoma
Defect investigations
Driver's seat belt buckle assembly
On february 18, 2004, odi opened this recall query (rq) based on two fatality reports involving my 1997 gm s-10 pickup trucks.each report alleged that the belted driver occupant was ejected in a multiple-rotation rollover crash.the my 1997 s/t series pickups use an energy-absorbing loop in the driver seat belt that allows the webbing to elongate up to 10 inches (to mitigate driver injury in frontal crashes).gm also used this energy-absorbing loop seat belt design in my1997 s/t series utility vehicles (chevrolet blazer, gmc jimmy and oldsmobile bravada).gm conducted a safety recall campaign (03v‑117) to replace the driver seat belt in these utility vehilces based on a higher fatality rate of ejected belted drivers in rollover crashes.both fatal crashes are severe rollover crashes (multiple-rotation rollover) and both vehicles sustained damage to the roof structure.odi reviewed the field data performance of the subject vehicles and compared them to peer vehicles using the federal safety agency's fatality analysis reporting system (fars) database.the fars data did not indicate a field performance trend for the subject vehicle.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will monitor this issue and take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
RQ04002
Abs braking system
This investigation resulted in a safety recall, 99v‑193, and a service campaign, 99i-006.
EA94038
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 GMC Sonoma 46
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 warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
1997 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 | 15-16 | 21-23 | 17-19 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 16-17 |
What 1997 GMC Sonoma owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 gmc sonoma. While driving 25 MPH on a steep hill, the vehicle stalled. The dealer replaced the ignition switch. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000. Updated 10/02/14*lj updated 3/6/2015
I had a 97 gmc sonoma that I was going down a dirt road about 30-35 MPH and swerved to miss a truck coming on my side of the road and lost traction and flipped over a hill and rolled 3 times and the airbags didnt deploy and the drivers seatbelt snapped .
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 gmc sonoma. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver heard a loud popping sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The driver inspected the vehicle and noticed that the front and rear frame was cracked. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,261.
Unable to stop due to brake pedal going all the way to the floor! Brake pedal and accelerator pedal are positioned too close, and when brake pedal is all the way down, foot comes in contact with accelerator pedal, making it impossible to stop! This is apparently a common problem with these gmc pickups, as I had the same problem with a 1991 gmc sonoma. In this case, I could have avoided a collision, but could not stop, even though I had applied the brakes with plenty of force. Gm should be held responsible for this major defect, which was not corrected from at least 1991 through 1997 -- and probably beyond!
Vehicle throttle sticks at 1500rpm and will stick above 1500rpm if downshifted or increasing speed. The only way to lower the RPM to idle is shift to neutral a n d come to a complete stop -- firmly holding brake to maximum depression and then only after a few second delay. Upon entering any gear [automatic xmsn] the RPM will again go to 1500, but if brake pedal remains depressed for about 10sec the RPM will go back to idle. Any slick roads or mountain/steep downhill driving is extremely hazardous! Check engine stays on and computer reading calls for replacement of a sensor which has been replaced 3 times. The directions say to let the new sensor "break in" by idling for 20 minutes minimum prior to driving. It does not work! This is a faulty design wherein a sensor or component malfunction results in throttle boost beyond operator control and is often at RPM's above 2500 !!! The malfunction is permanent and the incident occurs every day the vehicle is driven !!!
I have encountered trouble with my windshield wipers. They go on and off intermittently. I am assuming the problem is the pulse wiper relay, and was wondering if there was a recall for this product. I was driving in heavy rain when this occurred, and there was nearly a collision. Please let me know if there are any recalls for this part. Thank you.
The key used to stick in the ignition and release itself after a short time. Then the key would not release, and when the key came out the vehicle could still be started, then the steering wheel locked and the key came out, but when placed back in, would not unlock the steering wheel nor would it turn the ignition cylinder.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 gmc sonoma. The vehicle has tbc stampede radial a/t tires, size p205/75/r15 (na). The contact noticed that all four tires have bulges in the lower white sidewalls, which indicates separation between the two lower sidewall components. The dealer stated that this was a normal characteristic of the tires. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer in reference to the federal safety agency campaign id number 08t006000 (tires:sidewall). The failure and current mileages were 18,000. Updated 09/16/08 *bf updated 09/19/08.
While driving down the road, my air bag light on the dashboard , goes on and the engine quits. If the steering wheel air bag is tapped, the light goes off and the engine can be restarted. Very scary.
Compare the 1997 GMC Sonoma
Other model years
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Questions about the 1997 GMC Sonoma
Is the 1997 GMC Sonoma reliable?
Owners have filed 111 complaints about the 1997 GMC Sonoma, 1.9 times a typical Sonoma model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 GMC Sonoma?
Brakes, with 36 complaints. Next is visibility (30).
How many recalls does the 1997 GMC Sonoma have?
2 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and seat belts.
Was there a recall on the 1997 GMC Sonoma brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 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 1997 GMC Sonoma get?
Official estimates for the 1997 GMC Sonoma range from 16 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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