Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1991 GMC Sonoma: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1991 GMC Sonoma, most recently filed July 1999. Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1991 GMC Sonoma. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1991 GMC Sonoma. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 99V193000 Filed Jul 19, 1999

GM/ABS

Service brakes, hydraulic · antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
Repair progress not yet reported1,125,749 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V193000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (29)

29 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.

3involved a crash
3involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 GMC Sonoma, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 29.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1991 compares with other Sonoma years

Best and worst Sonoma years →
1984199019911992199319941995199619971998
This year (1991)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined

22
mpg combined
21
city
25
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,050
CO₂ tailpipe
404 g/mi
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks

What it costs you to run

$2,969per year
$247per month
682gallons a year

Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1991 GMC Sonoma configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive21 / 25 / 22$3,050404
2.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 21$3,200423
2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19$3,550468
4.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18$3,700494
4.3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18$3,700494
4.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17$3,950523
4.3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16$4,200555

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1991 Sonoma for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Sonoma years

Where to next

1991 GMC Sonoma FAQ

How many recalls does the 1991 GMC Sonoma have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 99V193000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1991 GMC Sonoma problems?

Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (14), Engine and engine cooling (4), Electrical system (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1991 GMC Sonoma get?

EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 21 city, 25 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1991 Sonoma compare with other years?

Among the 1984–1998 GMC Sonoma model years at least five years old, the 1984 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1994 the most (224). The 1991 drew 29. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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