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GMC Sonoma grinding brakes problems

10 of the 1,344 owner complaints about the GMC Sonoma describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 1994 model year.

owner complaints
10
worst model year
1994
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2003
    1
  • 2002
    1
  • 2001
    2
  • 1997
    1
  • 1995
    1
  • 1994
    3
  • 1993
    1

Often reported together

ABS 5Pulling 1Ball joint 1

What owners say

Filed May 25, 2006 · Brakes · 53,000 miles · MN

Dt*: the contact stated while the brakes were applied at speeds of less than 10 MPH, the ABS engaged resulting in an increased stopping distance. The ABS light illuminated when the activation occurred. The brakes made a grinding noise and the vehicle pulled to the left. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer who replaced the passenger side wheel speed sensor. There is a the federal safety agency recall, #05v379000, regarding the anti-lock brakes. The VIN was not included in the recall. Updated 6/16/2006 -

Filed Aug 1, 2005 · Acceleration, Brakes · 5,000 miles · OH

Dt: consumer complained of vehicle handling problems since 5000 miles. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer at least 9-10 times. There was a popping sound in the front end. Consumer had the lower ball joints replaced, and believed the upper ball joints were still bad. Also, there was excessive play in the steering box. This was causing excessive wear on the tires. With any wind the vehicle was blown around. The service writer at the dealership said they didn't want to fix the problem because they were afraid it would make the problem worse, but it was not stated on the service repair sheet. At one point lock tight was put on the bolts to keep them from coming loose.*ak the manifold gasket and thermostat was replaced. On one occasion the vehicle lurched forward, there was a squealing noise coming from the brakes.

Filed Jan 24, 2005 · Brakes · CA

While driving. The consumer heard a squeaking sound. The consumer found that the vehicle needed brakes at 29000 miles on the driver's side. The consumer took the vehicle in for an inspection and found that the vehicle needed new brakes on both sides. However, the dealer did not want to put factory brakes on the vehicle they want to use a product call dura stop. Please provide any further information.

Filed Sep 5, 2001 · Brakes · CA

Abs brakes fail (vibrate/shudder/grind) during bumpy and turning conditions. They do not stop car. Dealer notified of problem and indicated that it is normal. I think brakes are defective since they do not stop car at all during previously mentioned conditions. For example, I recently went through a dip and put the brake pedal to the floor without stopping.

Filed Jun 27, 2001 · Brakes · NC

Whenever brakes were applied, they would make a lot of squealing noises in the front, consumer took to dealer who stated that the noise was normal, front brake pads have been replaced once at 20000 miles and another time at 32000 miles, brakes were not covered under the extended warranty.

Filed Feb 6, 1998 · Brakes · MO

When applying the ABS brake on wet or dry pavement the brakes lock up, causing extended stopping distance. Also a loud squealing noise occurs.

Filed Nov 10, 1997 · Brakes · NJ

While applying the brakes (ABS), can fell the brake pedal going to the floor. This would cause the vehicle to have an extended stopping distance. It's intermittent problem. Sometimes there is a grinding noise when the brakes are applied. Dealer cannot locate problem.

Filed Oct 29, 1997 · Brakes · GA

Abs brakes are subject to intermittent failure, causing extended stopping distance. On other occasions, brakes make grinding sound while making a turn and applying the brakes. Dealer has changed the pads 3 times in the last 2 years, and the problem still exists.

Filed Jan 21, 1997 · Brakes · UT

Experiencing extended braking distance, low brake pedal and grinding.

Filed Feb 1, 1995 · Brakes · OH

Anti-lock brakes squeal and pulsate in damp/cold weather.

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported February 28, 2000 · 10,674 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes. Some of these vehicles have an antilock brake system (ABS) motor containing an out-of-specification spring clip. This clip could allow the motor bearing to become misaligned. If misalignment occurs, eventually the ABS would be non-functional.
Risk
The base brakes would remain fully functional, but the dynamic rear proportioning (drp) system, which optimizes front to rear brake balance, would become inoperative.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the brake pressure module valve assembly.

Recall number 00V055000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported August 11, 1999 · 3,947 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: s -trucks equipped with 2 wheel drive. These vehicles may have had the right-hand antilock brake system (ABS) module feed pipe and/or brake crossover pipe tube nuts tightened without seating the pipe-flared-ends enough to withstand normal assembly and vehicle inputs without partially unseating. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic service brake normal, emergency, and park braking performance."
Risk
If this occurred, the seating seal could be broken during vehicle assembly, or from early road inputs or brake fluid cycling, and a leak could occur increasing the brake stopping distance.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the brake pipe union for signs of brake fluid, and if necessary, install a new brake pipe union.

Recall number 99V220000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported July 19, 1999 · 1,125,749 vehicles affected
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 fittingsReported November 24, 1997 · 19,716 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. A fatigue fracture of the rear axle right-hand brake pipe can occur causing a slow brake fluid leak resulting in a soft brake pedal. If the brake pipe breaks, the driver would experience a sudden drop in the brake pedal, the instrument panel brake light would illuminate, and there would be a loss of rear brake performance.
Risk
Partial loss of braking at a time when minimum stopping distance was required could result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.

Recall number 97V218000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported September 11, 1997 · 146,167 vehicles affected
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

Questions about the GMC Sonoma grinding brakes

Which GMC Sonoma years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1994 (3 complaints), 2001 (2 complaints) and 1993 (1 complaints).

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