With 5 recalls and 306 complaints, the 1994 GMC Sonoma rates as high on the safety concern scale. Always run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup tool before signing.

Recalls

306

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

06E0410002006-18-05

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CERTAIN R&B, INC. CENTRAL MULTIPORT FUEL INJECTION (CMFI) FUEL RETURN LINES, MODELS HELP 55163, NAPA BALKAMP 700-3270, AND THE CONNECTION 2560001, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL RETURN LINE HAS A MECHANICAL BLEED VALVE WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED AT THE PROPER TORQUE.

A FUEL LEAK CAN OCCUR AT THE VALVE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

View at NHTSA

99V1930001999-19-07

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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.

IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

View at NHTSA

99I0060001999-19-07

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, OR MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3-SENSOR ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) EBC4 UNITS.

THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS ON CERTAIN MULTIPLE SURFACES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

View at NHTSA

View all 5 recalls

07E0210002007-12-03

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

View at NHTSA

97V0960011997-12-06

SEAT BELTS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 1994 GMC Sonoma's biggest weak point? SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. It leads 306 total complaints spanning 1 years. Budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially in that area.

01Service Brakes, Hydraulic143

02Visibility57

03Engine And Engine Cooling19

04Vehicle Speed Control11

05Power Train10

306 total across 1 model years (1994–1994)Full data at NHTSA.gov

GMC Sonoma Fuel Economy

16–22mpg combined

15-19city

20-26hwy

$2,800-$4,200/yr

Fuel economy for the 1994 GMC Sonoma ranges from 16 to 22 MPG combined across 10 setups. The table below breaks it down by trim so you know exactly what you're signing up for.

By Trim

Sonoma 2WD - Manual 5-spd

22mpg

2.2L 4-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive

19 city26 hwy~$2,800/yr-1/10 Poor

Sonoma 2WD - Automatic 4-spd

19mpg

2.2L 4-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive

17 city23 hwy~$3,250/yr-1/10 Poor

Sonoma 2WD - Manual 5-spd

19mpg

4.3L 6-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive

16 city23 hwy~$4,000/yr-1/10 Poor

Sonoma 2WD - Automatic 4-spd

18mpg

4.3L 6-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive

15 city22 hwy~$4,200/yr-1/10 Poor

Sonoma 4WD - Automatic 4-spd

17mpg

4.3L 6-cyl · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

16 city20 hwy~$3,600/yr-1/10 Poor

Sonoma 4WD - Manual 5-spd

16mpg

4.3L 6-cyl · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

15 city20 hwy~$3,850/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 1994 GMC Sonoma

10States

46%in top 3

The biggest cluster of inventory is in Oregon (23%), but the remaining listings are spread across 9 other states nationwide.

OROregon

323%

CACalifornia

215%

DEDelaware

18%

ILIllinois

18%

INIndiana

18%

NENebraska

18%

OHOhio

18%

OKOklahoma

18%

KYKentucky

18%

PAPennsylvania

18%

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 1994.

Buying a 1994 GMC Sonoma?

Answers to common buyer questions

Is the 1994 GMC Sonoma a good car to buy?

The 1994 GMC Sonoma has its strengths and its watch-outs. 5 recalls have been issued, so verify completion with the dealer. Owners report service brakes, hydraulic as the area to watch most closely. Check the safety section for recall details and the pricing data to see if the numbers work for you.

Are there recalls on the 1994 GMC Sonoma?

There are 5 documented recalls for the 1994 GMC Sonoma. Don't let that scare you; most are routine. Just make sure they're all resolved before you sign. Details in the safety overview.

What's the gas mileage of the 1994 GMC Sonoma?

You'll get between 16 and 22 MPG combined from the 1994 GMC Sonoma, depending on engine and drivetrain. That's a meaningful difference over time. The fuel economy table shows exactly which configs get what.

What are common problems with the 1994 GMC Sonoma?

Out of 306 owner complaints, service brakes, hydraulic issues lead the pack. Get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers this area. The known issues breakdown has all the details.