3.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,837 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 GMC Sonoma windows / windshield problems

windows / windshield problem

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1998 GMC Sonoma Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Jul 012010

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1998 GMC Sonoma. The contact stated that the windshield wipers would stop working sporadically. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 60,000...updated 09/15/11 the windshield wipers periodically stopped working in the rain. Updated 09/28/11

- Jacksonville , IL, USA

problem #22

Jan 012005

Sonoma

  • miles
The windshield wipers have only worked intermittently whenever they are run. In the heaviest rain you cannot count on them and sometimes they won't come on at all. This is very dangerous problem when they quit working in the middle of the road in the middle of a rain. They have not made it a whole trip in the rain and stayed working- always only intermittent. Sometimes you just have to pull over until they decide to come on again.

- Dodge City, KS, USA

problem #21

Apr 162008

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 GMC Sonoma. The contact stated that the windshield wipers stopped working. The dealer initially stated that they would approve the repair; however, they are currently refusing to pay for the repair. NHTSA campaign id number 03V159000 (visibility:windshield, wiper/washer) was referenced. The current mileage was 50,000 and failure mileage was 42,000. Updated 09/13/08. The windshield wipers failed twice. The dealer replaced the wiper motor board. Updated 09/17/08.

- Clarkston, MI, USA

problem #20

Jun 152007

Sonoma

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Windshield wipers fail to operate on occasion during inclement weather. Recall issued for other GM vehicles citing problem circuit control boards to wiper motors. Very hazardous condition when driving in heavy rain conditions and wipers fail to operate.

- Coppell, TX, USA

problem #19

Aug 082007

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
Windshield wipers fail to operate on occasion during inclement weather. Recall issued for other GM vehicles citing problem circuit control boards to wiper motors. Very hazardous condition when driving in heavy rain conditions and wipers fail to operate.

- Reading, MI, USA

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problem #18

Aug 142006

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 78,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 70 mph on a rain day, the wipers suddenly stopped working at high speed. Also, when the vehicle slowed down, the windshield wipers worked intermittently, and sometimes did not work at all. There were no warning signals prior to the incident and the vehicle had not been seen by a dealership.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #17

Oct 142005

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,752 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1998 GMC Sonoma pick up. The wipers don't work over half the time. And when you shut them off they keep going. If they happen to work at that time. The handle to the drivers door keeps breaking off.

- West Terre Haute, IN, USA

problem #16

Aug 282004

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles
Windshield wipers do not work correctly. If they work, they will stop mid-wipe blocking the drivers view. Half of the time, however, the wipers fail to even come on. This is a very wide-spread problem for many GM trucks and SUVS built throughout the 1990's.

- Redlands, CA, USA

problem #15

Apr 012004

Sonoma

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1998 GMC Sonoma experiencing problems with the brake lights and the windshield wipers. The brake lights would not go off, the windshield wipers failed in rainy weather, the power windows failed, the recliner handle had broken off, and the handle to the side door had broken as well.

- Newark, CA, USA

problem #14

Jan 082004

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 75,000 miles
A few month after I bought my 1998 GMC Sonoma the windshield wipers stopped working. Sometime they come on and work for a few minutes and then stop but many times they never work. My dealer says the 97 Sonomas were recalled for the same problem that continues on to the 98 model. This makes it extremely dangerous to drive in the rain.

- Hopkinsville, KY, USA

problem #13

Sep 132003

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 83,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Windshield wiper electrical connection or circuit board fails during wet weather causing wiper failure and loss of visibility. I personally replaced faulty wiper motor assembly.

- Erie , PA, USA

problem #12

Oct 152003

(reported on)

Sonoma

  • miles
Windshield wiper motor failure due to cracked solder joints.

- Seven Lakes, NC, USA

problem #11

Mar 122004

Sonoma

  • miles
When driving the vehicle in the rain windshield wipers failed, causing the driver to pull off the road. Consumer contacted the dealership, but problem persisted.

- Lebanon, PA, USA

problem #10

Jan 242002

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 80,000 miles
Certain GM trucks have been recalled but the others have not but the same component was used in other models and the same isue occurs. I had a 1997 Isuzu hombre that had this problem and now I have a 1998 GMC Sonoma nad the same problem occurs. The 1997 Chevy S-10S were recalled for this issue but the recall should be extended to other yeas as well. Listed below is the issue with the 1997 S10S. The exact same problem occurs on 98 GMC Sonomas as well. Make: Chevrolet model: S10 year: 1997 recall number: 03V159000 summary: On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all. Consequence: If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash. Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on June 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, GMC at 1-800-462-8782, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537. Notes: GM recall no. 03023. Customers can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?S auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #9

Nov 132003

Sonoma

  • miles
Consumer stated that windshield wipers worked intermittently, and sometimes they did not work at all. This was dangerous because when windshield wipers failed consumer could not see where she was going. Also, consumer stated that the same problem happened with her 1996 Suburban which was recalled.

- Pemberville, OH, USA

problem #8

Sep 122003

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,500 miles
Windshield wipers have been sporadic for last two months; was able to get them started by getting out of truck and moving the blades by hand; last week, in heavy down pour, the wipers would not work at all; stopped at an autobody shop, the guy smacked the motor with a wrench and got them working well enough for me to get home. They are still not working.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #7

Nov 242003

(reported on)

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles
The windshield wipers experienced the same defect as stated in recall 03V159 000. The consumers vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. The consumer stated the windshield wipers failed several times.

- Litchfield, IL, USA

problem #6

Aug 222003

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 160,000 miles
Windshield wipers worked intermittently while driving in inclement weather. Cause of failure undetermined at this time. Per General Motors: Cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board.

- Poplar Grove, IL, USA

problem #5

Apr 152003

Sonoma

  • miles
Consumer states windshield wipers work intermittently. Dealer notified.

- Ocean Springs, MS, USA

problem #4

May 022003

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My wipers on my 1998 Sonoma pick-up stopped on me in the middle of a rain storm while I was driving a 70mph. I luckily was able to get off the road without crashing. After waiting for thirty minuites I could get them to operate on low speed in order to get home. This is not the first problem I have experienced with these wipers. On other occassions I have turned them on to wipe intermittently and they go to constant wiping and I cannot get them to turn off. I heard of a recall, but have recieved no notice of this recall and when investigating it on the web, I have come across several postings where GMC does not want to take responsibility for sell faulty equipment. I am posting this in the hopes of getting the problem fixed before there is a serious crash and lawsuit.

- Gallatin, TN, USA

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