Complaints
202
Crashes
15
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 GMC Sonoma Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#123 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Avg mileage:63,404 mi
#220 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Avg mileage:56,570 mi
#319 complaints
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Avg mileage:64,812 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 GMC Sonoma.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 23 | — | — | 63,404 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 20 | — | — | 56,570 mi | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 19 | — | — | 64,812 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 11 | — | — | 178,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 11 | 3 | — | 80,000 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 | 7 | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 7 | — | — | 59,000 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 5 | — | — | 72,359 mi | |
| Airbags | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Other Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments | 2 | — | — | — |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,404
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,570
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,812
Seat-Related Issues
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
178,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,000
Air Bags:Frontal
7
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,000
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,359
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 GMC Sonoma. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Sonoma Years
1998 GMC Sonoma — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 GMC Sonoma reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1998 GMC Sonoma has 202 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer with 23 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 GMC Sonoma?
Top reported problems: Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer (23 complaints, avg 63,404 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor (20 complaints, avg 56,570 mi); Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner (19 complaints, avg 64,812 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 GMC Sonoma?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 77,437 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 GMC Sonoma?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 GMC Sonoma include 15 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 GMC Sonoma have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 GMC Sonoma as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 GMC Sonoma?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Sonoma reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 GMC Sonoma
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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