Comments: 1-15, 16-27
The problems started the day I brought it home. Paint chips, peeling decal, misaligned hood and fenders, very loose-fitting grille/bumper. The dealer said it was all "normal." And they wonder why people buy foreign cars...
The interior plastic parts have broken one by one and the seats are going threadbare at only 52,500 miles.
Original Uniroyal tires lasted only 30,000 miles.
Bizarre electrical problem that shuts down everything in the car when it rains.
Windows and doors leak badly, dealer unable to solve this one, calls it a "design flaw" in the gaskets.
Doors, floorboards, door hinge areas rusting.
Usual GM squeaks, rattles.
What I like about the truck is that it was cheap, it has comfortable seats, good legroom, larger cab than Nissan/Ranger/Tacoma. Good sounding stereo until the CD player started skipping and a speaker blew out.
Low-end torque good up to about 30mph, then the engine runs out of steam.
With 2 people on board and a full load it bogs down severely and the rear end bottoms on its suspension stops. I do like the styling of the truck and constantly receive compliments on what a good looking truck it is, especially the factory alloy wheels.
I will never buy another american-designed product again.
My next truck will be a Toyota Tundra or a Nissan Frontier, end of story.
If I buy a car, it will come from Germany or Japan. NO more American made crap for me!!!
I drive a 98 GMC Sonoma and I have experienced none of the problems, that have been said in this survey. My truck was given to me from my dad. It is the regular cab with a 2.2 litre 4-cylinder engine, and 5-speed manual transmission. I drive my truck hard and I have done so with no problems. My interior looks just as good as the day my dad bought the truck; all plastic is in-tacked and no leaks. The only thing I don't like about my truck is the small engine. I would like more acceleration, but I can complain about anything else.
I have experienced at times on the highway at about 65/70 miles an hr, it will hickup and start to misfire and then it clears, scary. Another as I'm using the wipers and turn them off, they continue to go for about 3 minutes. Problem # 3, it's a 50/50 chance that when I turn it on, I'll have a lose of power and the AC is not even on! The truck only has 45000 miles, looks great! nice and balanced! anyone who reads this please help. Of course Dealerships can't find anything wrong. E-mail: (panafulo@hotmail.com) subject GMC please.
I have a 1998 Sonoma with a 2.2 liter engine and a five
speed transmission. It is very poor on performance and
the wipers quit working in the rain without warning. The
truck also rides rough. And the seat has broken down on
the drivers side. Also mine speaker are blown out. I don't
think I will buy another gm truck.
I own a 98 high rider 4x4 with 102000 miles on it and had the ball joint replaced once, My u-joints once and my alternator 3xs over all I drove this truck very hard and it, s still spinning like a top interior seat levers broke and seats wear quickly, but over all for a mid sized I think it, s a tough truck a truck that drives like a truck want a smooth drive a sedan.
I own a 98 gmc sonoma sls and it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. it has the 2.2l vortec 5 speed option and has the roller rockers and cam with sequential fuel injected delivery. For a truck it rides great and all at 140,000 miles. I've had no problems out of it and have nothing, but good things to say about it. As far as power goes... it's a truck not a muscle car, and the whole reason you drive a four cyl is for gas mileage. And as an ASE certified mechanic and parts specialist I can tell you that most of your problems with your trucks come from lack of care and preventive maintenance. If you neglect your vehicle, that's what happens. don't be dumb and appreciate what you have.
I've owned my 98' sonoma for about 3 months now I have not experienced any of the above problems. It handles and drives superbly. It is also very fuel efficient which is a plus. I love my sonoma.
I've owned my 98 Sonoma for about 4 months now.
And I've only had to replace a door seal.
Other than that with 225000Km on it.. it's still putting out.
A great truck with a 4.3 V6
smooth ride. tons of cargo, great leg room, awsome handling
it's best vehicle I've ever owned. and great on gas too.
No complaints.
Best buy I've made.
Hmmm, here's a summation:
I have a 98 GMC Sonoma (4.3 V6, extended cap, 2WD), and it started off good. For a few years! Then, the problems started.
At 65K miles, the transmission completely blew out. Since then, I've had 2 more water pumps put in, a brand new radiator, a new windshield wiper motor (it was scary how it would go out in a heavy rain), the third door latch has busted twice, both seat recliners are broken, the drive shaft broke (was replaced), the rear axle broke in two (even the mechanics found this to be puzzling, but they replaced it), and the AC went/is out (has been for 3 years now, scared how expensive it's going to be).
I will NEVER buy a GM vehicle again.
I have a 97 Sonoma with the vortec automatic, 160K miles and no expense beyond what I consider maintenance or normal wear.
However, about a month ago it started shutting off while driving. Very random, sometime going a week without doing it then doing it 3 times in 1 day. Best I can recall it never happens while accelerating just cruising or coasting at low speed. Mechanic cannot recreate problem or find it with diagnostic machine or inspection. Obvious concern about steering locking on a curve and/or getting rear-ended.
Anybody have experience or ideas? Help!
My grandad has a '98 Sonoma; there are four things wrong with it.
First, the wipers only work when the truck is dry.
Second, the engine has a distinct "rattling" noise that is caused by the timing chain.
Third, the brake calipers are too tight on the rotors, and they squeal when you don't apply the brake.
Fourth, the AC doesn't work in the fourth position.
The truck has only 57,000ish miles on it, but he is very neglectful with his preventive maintenance. The truck runs like a top and is very reliable, great on gas, and utterly brilliant.
Oh, and I love American cars.
I have a 98 GMC Sonoma SLS.. V6 4.3L. I love the truck.. perfect for me. The only problem I have is my driveshaft.. it has busted on me once on the freeway.. it seems the U joints and hitting eachother or they are hitting the bar itself. If anyone has any advice or opinions on how to fix this please write back to this.. it is a hard knock and I think it will go out again soon. Is the engine mounts or maybe the frame is off?? Please help.
I've owned a 98 S10 for 10 years now. What a great truck. The original tires lasted 126,000 miles. It's the same transmission, a 5 speed manual. The engine is a 2.2l with 240,000 miles on it. The rear brakes are original... Maybe I spent $400 in maintenance on this truck in ten years. I replaced ball joints and U-joints. Wish I had two more of these.
I've had my 98 Sonoma V6 ext cab since 2001. At first it was a great truck. I loved the way it handled, the ride was smooth not at all like a pick up truck. I traded my 87 GMC S15 Sierra for the Sonoma. It wasn't long before the third door latch broke. Then the driver's seat recline broke, then the a/c went. I did some research and found the third door latch, and both seat recliners are defective. GM did nothing to recall or replace with better parts. Repairs are close to $400 per latch. The truck currently has 146,000 miles.
Last year I began hearing a loud vibrating rattle. Since I had replaced the U joints and V joints twice already I thought that was my problem. Long story short, I had to have the entire rear axle and assembly replaced. Lucky for me the garage had to pay for the repairs because the missed it the first time. BTW, there are some 98 Sonomas out there that were factory lowered. I have one. The parts for the standard 98 Sonomas don't always work in the lowered ones. This is especially true with the axles and suspension.
Now the pins and bushings in the driver's door have failed and had it not been for the fact the hinges are welded on, the door would have fallen off. In addition, there is a bubbling sound coming from under the hood that has been there since I bought it. No mechanic can find the cause.
I have always been vigilant about service and maintenance. I'm disappointed with this truck. I hate to say it because I am a die-hard GM fan.
I own a 1998 GMC Sonoma Hi-Rider SLS. I purchased it used with 16k miles on it. It now has 140k miles. I have driven this vehicle very hard over the years up here in northern New England. I have experienced some issues, but nothing that is so dramatic as to make me swear off GMC or to insult this vehicle.
AC--went early and would have cost $600 to repair, so I never bothered.
Ball joints--have replaced both once and one twice.
Transmission--had it rebuilt.
Brakes--I have replaced the front rotors.
Water pump--I have replaced the water pump once.
3rd door latch--needs to be replaced.
3rd door water seal--moisture has gotten in over the years and I now have a rust spot at the bottom latch of the 3rd door.
But here's the thing: I've used this to tow, offroad, haul material, camp and more for 9 years. Trucks are tools to be used this way, and things will break.
Conclusion? Very satisfied with this vehicle. The Vortec V6 is a great engine. I have no regrets.
I've had a sanoma for almost 2 years and I have only had to replace the u-joint, and brakes, normal things I sappose. my wipers, and everything else work fine the only problem is its not 4-wheel drive. its great on gas, and I would buy another.