1994 GMC Sonoma Reviews

EGR valve.

Rust holes on the corners of the cab.

Needed an alignment.

Oil leak from oil pan gasket.

When I got it, the guy said the motor and tranny were rebuilt with 45,000 miles on them. After a month or so owning it, it was getting harder and harder to believe him. So anyway, I got stuck with this truck that I liked but no one else did.

I hauled some cars with it and it did pretty well for how small it was. a week or so after I was done with the hauling the EGR valve started acting up so the motor just sputtered when it idled. I never got around to fixing it because I'm a college student with no money, but I did find out how much a new one did cost. Are you ready for this? $278.61!! So I just found myself a car and traded the truck for the car.

The power locks broke, and the CD player makes a loud noise three times when you start the car and turn it off. I believe it is because something is stuck in it by the previous owner.

This is the best truck. Very reliable in New England weather

Gas tank leaked pretty bad when bought. It was only 100 dollar fix, so it wasn't too bad.

Carrier bearing on drive shaft went bad as well as the U-joints (almost 300,000 miles on factory U-joints is really good!)

Had to replace the exhaust system after purchase (most likely due to harsh Northern Michigan winters).

AC compressor went soon after purchase as well, but easy fix if you're a mechanic like me.

The 4.3 is probably the most versatile V6 on the market, with the power of a 350ci and the gas mileage of a 6 cylinder. No problems with pick up after all these miles!

The extended cab is very handy when you need space to put things, and don't want them getting wet/snowy/stolen.

The interior (grey) is well proportioned, but squeaks with age and weather fluctuations.

At 73,000 miles, both driver and passenger side mirrors fell off, within weeks of each other.

Driver's side sway bar cracked.

Brake line burst, making the brakes go out completely while driving (scary.)

Once, while driving in excessive heat, the engine just cut out and the car died. It restarted a few minutes later with no problems, and hasn't done it since.

Muffler and exhaust need work for the second time.

All problems have been simple and relatively inexpensive to fix.

The sway bar, brake problem and exhaust problem can also probably be blamed on underside rust as a result of harsh Chicago-area winters.

I've been able to take this truck on long trips with confidence and comfort. The interior is simple and the seats are comfortable, except for the fold-out seats in the extended cab. You do not want to sit in them for more than an hour. Ouch.

Drives more like a car than a truck. Handles excellent and has a good feel, even with the bed filled with weight, though it can lack pickup on hills at times.

It just runs really solid. Never idles funny or seems like it falters in any way. It's easy to have confidence in it.

The gas mileage is pretty lousy for such a small truck (I think our most recent estimate is 16-20 mpg,) and I'm considering selling it for this reason alone. But I would hate to part with it, as it's been a great little truck.

I bet this truck could easily make it another 100,000 miles and then some.