1995 GMC Sonoma Consumer Reviews

Great little truck for 11 years

Written by: Jeff A. on 07/12/2008

Vehicle

1995 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLE Extended Cab SB

Review

I've enjoyed my 11 years with this truck. It's still going strong with only 61k on it, but I'm going to sell it to an employee who needs vehicle and so I can upgrade. Pros: Smooth ride, good handling, nice cab design, lots of room in the ext cab, decent bed room. Cons: The 4 banger could use a bit more power for hiway conditions. Side mirrors are known to fall off by breathing on them (2 times for me). Stock sound system is pretty bad, but easy to upgrade. Repairs: Easy to work on. In 11 years I've replaced 2 batteries, the a/c compressor, EGR sensor, fan clutch, plus normal wear items like brake pads, drive belt, etc.

Favorite Features

Reliability, rear cab room, fuel economy.

Suggested Improvements

Side mirrors, sound system, and could use a little more power. All in all, a darn good truck.

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Built on Wednesday!

Written by: Jeff va on 08/13/2007

Vehicle

1995 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLS Extended Cab SB

Review

One tough ole bird! Bought the truck in 2000 with 96K miles from my brother. Got 215K out of her before I put her up for sale. Various maintenance items replaced along the way, water pump at 118K, clutch at 126K, alternator at 127K, fuel pump at 179K, radiator at 214K due a cracked tank. Never had to go into the motor. Origional timing chain was still in service when it sold! Truck had tow package with engine oil cooler. I think that and a healthy diet of Amsoil and Mobil 1 greatly contributed to truck's longevity. Would buy another one in a minute!

Favorite Features

Oil cooler, interior comfort, reliable, fun to drive

Suggested Improvements

Oil cooler lines that don't need to be changed every 75K due to leakage.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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151k, so far so good

Written by: donw on 06/22/2005

Vehicle

1995 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLE Extended Cab SB

Review

I bought this truck 1 year old with 11k miles. It's absolutely dependable. The CD player quit 6 years ago. It needed new brake pads at 18k miles. I switched to NAPA pads, and now am only on the second set since then. The oil cooler line seeps, and has been like this since 50k miles. It's a minor nuisance, and too big of a pain to change due to its location. The engine mounts needed replacement at 150k. Right now I've still got 4500 miles to a quart of oil. Hazard light switch is absurdly fragile, and it's tough to find one in a junk yard. Over all a very dependable vehicle.

Favorite Features

Dependability

Suggested Improvements

Multifunction switch on column. Hazard light switch needs to be tougher

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Don't DO IT!

Written by: MichaelWI on 10/02/2004

Vehicle

1995 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLS Extended Cab SB

Review

I've bought this thing 5 times over in the cost of repairs! The CRV valve in the exhaust was replaced 4 TIMES! Then the trannie went, then 4x4 problems, hen alternator, then A/C, then interior electrical, and now I've blown a frost plug - in SEPTEMBER! The plugs are positioned in the bell housing, it'll cost me $700 to have it fixed!

Favorite Features

The 4x4 and the cool exterior look.

Suggested Improvements

Better ulphostry, better reliability. As is this truck SUCKS

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Problem child to good citizen

Written by: Rwm on 01/13/2004

Vehicle

1995 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLE Extended Cab SB

Review

I purchased my used sonoma with 4,000 miles. Within the first year of owning my truck I visited the GMC dealer for the replacement of my rear axis, starter, carberator, clusters board, various fuses, breaking system, anti-lock breaks, wiper blade motor, leaking hose for air condition system, leaking hose for exhaust system and other minor repairs. My thoughts were that the prior owner damaged the truck before resaling, because after those parts were replaced (free of charge) my truck is running fine.

Favorite Features

Small seat with seating belt in cab for my nephews.

Suggested Improvements

Anti-lock break system, gas consumption and air conditioning system doesn't work properly, but on better note heating works great!

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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My Nightmare

Written by: Jason L on 12/09/2003

Vehicle

1995 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLS 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

Had noting but bad luck with this truck. EGR valve died with one week of purchase. Had to have new ball joints, idler arm, and continual alignments. Still wore tires unevenly. New starter, (2) batteries, universal joints, rear axle developed hum @ 90k. Front axle did not like to disengage when supposed to. ABS died. Had 3 sets of front rotors/pads. I could not wait to get rid of this truck. Body developed unexplainable rust @ 6 years! Leaky oil cooler lines. Leaky heater core. So many repairs I cant list.

Favorite Features

Comfortable. Good on highway. 21 MPG. Would go anywhere.

Suggested Improvements

Seats foam disintigrated. RELIABILITY!!!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Piece of crap

Written by: G-Doggy on 11/28/2003

Vehicle

1995 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLS 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

I hate this truck so much but I can't afford to buy another right now.It has been in the shop more times then I can count,and I always say what else can go wrong I wish I had more space to tell you why I will never buy another GM truck the rest of my life.

Favorite Features

The radio works good,

Suggested Improvements

Tell GMC quit producing trucks

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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good truck

Written by: gREGGUY on 10/28/2003

Vehicle

1995 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLE Extended Cab SB

Review

I like my truck

Favorite Features

interior

Suggested Improvements

air conditioning should be off when not selected

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great Small Package

Written by: bobtommich on 09/13/2003

Vehicle

1995 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLS Extended Cab SB

Review

Great gas mileage. Roomy interior. Love the 2 tone color of black and blue. Interior has everything in the right places. I've got 123k and have no leaks. Wish it had a CD player and a back sliding window. Signs of head gasket leak but ok now, cause using high mileage oil. Had to replace mirrors on driver's side 3 times and passanger twice due to vibration. Also replaced back window because of rain water leakage after warranty. Thumbs up to Gmc service. They even replaced the mirrors after warranty. Signs of rust at the lower side below extended cab window on both the passanger and driver's side. Very easy to work on. Had to replace the starter once.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage, interior features, roomy. Easy to drive, plenty of window to look over when changing lanes as double check for blind spot. Still going strong. Gmc Service - A+ Love the 5 speed manual.

Suggested Improvements

Make it so it doesn't rust so early. Have had the truck brand new for 8 years now. Signs of rust 2 yrs. ago. Fix the mirrors, instead of replacing them all the time. Wish it had more acceleration in busy traffic.

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Don't Buy IT

Written by: John co8O on 04/12/2003

Vehicle

1995 GMC Sonoma 2 Dr SLS Extended Cab SB

Review

Replaced 3 starters, cooling fan, radiator, 3 fly wheels, Air condition compressor, transmission at 122,000 miles, catalitic converter just to name some of the problems. The driver's seat stop working at 70,000 miles. The vehicle is not built for a large amount of

Favorite Features

It handles well.

Suggested Improvements

Better engine and stronger seats.

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