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GMC Sonoma stalling problems

29 of the 1,344 owner complaints about the GMC Sonoma describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 1996 model year.

owner complaints
29
worst model year
1996
typical mileage
78,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

  • 2003
    1
  • 2001
    5
  • 1999
    3
  • 1998
    2
  • 1997
    3
  • 1996
    10
  • 1995
    3
  • 1994
    2

What owners say

Filed Jun 19, 2015 · Electrical · 156,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 gmc sonoma. While driving 72 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost all power and the power steering failed. After the vehicle stalled, all the lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,000.

Filed Aug 11, 2014 · Electrical · 73,000 miles · ME

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

Filed Apr 3, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 92,984 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc sonoma. The contact stated while he drove 73 MPH the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast onto the emergency lane. The local mechanic performed a diagnostic test and was unable to locate a failure code. The vehicle was taken to a second dealership for additional inspection that advised that the spark plug and the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The spark plug and fuel cap was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 92,984. Updated 07/28/14 ma updated 07/29/14

Filed Jul 9, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 78,000 miles · OH

My truck radiator started to smell as if it had a leak. I took it to a radiator shop. This shop happens to be very close to the gm plant in dayton, ohio. The man took one look at the truck. He explained to me that all the radiators for this truck from the 2001 years were sent to him prior to installing. He said they had been left outside for a period of time and all of them had to be cleaned out because of heavy rust. He stated mine must of been missed. The rust in the radiator was so thick it was like mud! He replaced the radiator, hoses and even had to replace the radiator fluid reservoir because it literally had inches of rust in it. This is something the company knew about and I should not of had to replace it. The next thing to happen is to the drive train. The truck is making a whining noise - sounds like some tires do. We have taken it to several places to repair and no one can figure out what is causing the sound. We have replaced so many parts, many of them more than once in a short period of time. I have put over $3000 of work in the truck just over the last month and am not yet finished. The brackets holding the rear suspension in place are crumbling in my hand. The muffler is leaking. It is stalling for no apparent reason. And is idling very fast even tho it has had regular tune ups and maintenance. The tailgate is broken - you can just pull it off the truck. This is not normal wear and tear. The whining continues whenever it is being driven. Whatever happened to companies being responsible for the quality of the vehicle! God knows most of us cant buy a new one at $35,000+ to.

Filed Oct 10, 2005 · Fuel system · 36,000 miles · OR

I have been dealing with balking, stalling of my vehicle. I have had several repairs/replacement of parts. The problem is still with my vehicle. I have had the computer replaced, the fuel relay pump, wires replaced, fuel filter, but I am still having this problem. It is intermittent, which makes it more scary.

Filed Aug 10, 2005 · Engine · 101,500 miles · IL

Dt: the caller said the liner of the exhaust pipe broke off and clogged the catalytic converter, causing air flow to be blocked and stalling while driving. It happened at any speed, but mostly when going at low speeds and taking off. She took the vehicle to dealer on july 24, 2005 for inspection, and dealer said there was no recall on this and they did not have the parts. They will have the parts in september. She could drive the vehicle until then. The caller was concerned about driving the vehicle because of stalling. She talked to the manufacturer on july 26, 2005. They said it was okay to drive it until the caller told manufacturer how unsafe it was to drive. Then, manufacturer told her not to drive.

Filed Jul 5, 2005 · 50,000 miles · KY

My gmc truck has had many problems with the fuel and emissions system but now the truck hesitates and stalls on a regular basis. The truck will stall while driving it causing a very unsafe atmosphere. While accelerating the truck will sometimes hesitate which slows down acceleration. Many other chevy/gmc s-10 owners have told me about the same problems.

Filed May 28, 2003 · Fuel system, Transmission · 20,957 miles · WA

Nary 05/28/2003 *mr the vehicle stalled out on four different occasions, fuel pump was replaced, and the power train control module was fixed. The consumer feels that the vehicle is a serious safety defect and noncomformity that leaves them an as well as other motorist at risk of a serious accident.

Filed Mar 13, 2003 · Engine · NC

The vehicle stalled without warning, which made the vehicle difficult to control. *jb ford recalled the same problem with aluminum head/steel block and could the cause of the gasket going out. Scc

Filed Feb 13, 2003 · Fuel system · CA

The vehicle stalled, consumer was informed the fuel pump and fuel filter needed to be replaced. *ak

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the GMC Sonoma stalling

Which GMC Sonoma years have engine stalls while driving problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1996 (10 complaints), 2001 (5 complaints) and 1995 (3 complaints).

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