Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY | |||
| 07/01/2010 | 50000 | ||
| Tl- 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. rvk | |||
| 07/01/2010 | 50000 | ||
| Tl -the contact owns 1998 gmc sonoma. the contact stated that the vehicle windshield wipers would stop working sporadically. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offered any assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 60,000. pm | |||
| 11/16/2008 | 10000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 gmc sonoma. in march of 1998, the windshield wipers began working intermittently. in november of 2008, while driving approximately 60 mph in the rain, the windshield wipers stopped working completely. the vehicle was driven to the dealer and they stated that the wiper module and wiper motor needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was too old for them to be liable for the repairs. the current mileage was 137,000 and failure mileage was 10,000. | |||
| 10/06/2006 | 50000 | 1 | |
| My truck has 70,000 miles and it has problems with the windshield wipers. this has been going on for a couple of years. you can hit on the inside of the motor and it will start working. i can be driving and all of a sudden they will quit. i have noticed that a lot of people have this problem. *tr | |||
| 12/01/2007 | 1 | ||
| Windshield wipers will stop working without notice. *tr | |||
| 02/10/2006 | 50000 | 3 | 03/25/1998 |
| Interior components break easily: driver's recliner handle sheared off, driver's visor hinge snapped, windshield defrost grille fractured. *nm | |||
| VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | |||
| 04/01/2004 | 5 | ||
| 1998 gmc sonoma experiencing problems with the brake lights and the windshield wipers. *mr 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. *sc *jb | |||
| VISIBILITY - REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES | |||
| 05/30/2001 | |||
| I bought this truck off wally armour in alliance ohio.after getting it home we found out there was front end trouble,it shook real bad,also head light did not come on all the time and the mirror on drivers door shimmied bad and mirror on window was falling off.this vehicle is a 1998 sonoma gmc.i took the vehicle back as a lemon and now they are charging me over a thousand dollars worth of taxes besides ruining my credit to nearly zero.what can i do?is there defaults on this vehicle?*ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER | |||
| 09/11/2001 | 68480 | 2 | 04/28/1998 |
| Dt: the electric wiring from the main trunk that comes from the firewall and the motor system. branched off from the main branch to the windshield wipers, who only worked 67% of the time.*ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | |||
| 01/01/2005 | 1 | ||
| 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. *tr | |||
| 04/16/2008 | 42000 | 2 | |
| Tl*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. *lj the windshield wipers failed twice. the dealer replaced the wiper motor board. updated 09/17/08. *jb | |||
| 06/15/2007 | 10 | 10/01/2004 | |
| 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. *jb | |||
| 08/08/2007 | 40000 | 30 | 08/27/2000 |
| 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. *jb | |||
| 08/14/2006 | 78000 | 1 | 11/28/2000 |
| Dt*: 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. | |||
| 10/14/2005 | 10752 | 1 | 08/05/2005 |
| 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. *nm | |||
| 08/28/2004 | 33000 | 300 | 08/25/2004 |
| 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. *jb | |||
| 04/01/2004 | 5 | ||
| 1998 gmc sonoma experiencing problems with the brake lights and the windshield wipers. *mr 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. *sc *jb | |||
| 01/08/2004 | 75000 | 1 | |
| 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. *jb | |||
| 09/13/2003 | 83000 | 1 | |
| 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. *jb | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 2 | ||
| Windshield wiper motor failure due to cracked solder joints.*mr *cb *jb | |||
| 03/12/2004 | 15 | ||
| 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. *ak | |||
| 01/24/2002 | 80000 | 1 | 02/13/2002 |
| 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). *ak | |||
| 11/13/2003 | 2 | ||
| 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. *ak | |||
| 09/12/2003 | 68500 | 5 | 12/30/1997 |
| 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. *jb | |||
| 66000 | 4 | 06/01/2003 | |
| 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. *ak the consumer stated the windshield wipers failed several times. *jb *nm | |||
| 08/22/2003 | 160000 | 1 | 01/01/1998 |
| Windshield wipers worked intermittently while driving in inclement weather. cause of failure undetermined at this time.*ak per general motors: cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. *ph *jb | |||
| 04/15/2003 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states windshield wipers work intermittently. dealer notified.*ak | |||
| 05/02/2003 | 10 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 04/04/2003 | 38000 | 1 | |
| Windshield wipers just stop working without warning. *jb | |||
| 06/26/2002 | 6 | 06/01/2098 | |
| Windshield wipers failed to work on several occasions,started to work after sitting.have not replaced any parts.same problem existed on my 1996 sonoma which was recalled. *ak | |||
| 12/25/2001 | |||
| Windshield wipers will stop working intermittently, vehicle has not been taken to a dealership at this time.*ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - LINKAGES | |||
| 09/15/2005 | 25 | 1 | 09/30/2002 |
| My 98 gmc sonoma's windshield wiper module failed causing poor visibility during rain. initially, i was able to tap the module to regain wiper use, but the problem has become unmanageable. i have taken my vehicle to be repaired at neil twinter motors costing $95.81.*jb | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - MOTOR | |||
| 05/15/2006 | 50000 | 30 | 01/12/1998 |
| Windshield wiper intermittent. can cause severe visibility problems during bad weather conditions, almost resulting into a crash when trying to exit roadway. *tr | |||
| 02/16/2005 | 90000 | 1 | |
| Had a problem with windshield wipers not working or working intermittently. i found problem to be the electrical plug on wiper motor circuit board to have fractured soldier connections. resoldier connections cure problem. *tr | |||
| 06/06/2006 | 116000 | 1000 | 06/02/2006 |
| On our 1998 gmc sonoma we have replaced the windshield wiper motor and board. the wipers still have a ghost in them and delay does not work most of the time and high speed when on low speed, erratic behavior on wipers. won't turn on or off on occasion. was there a recall on also on the passenger seat? the lever broke right off the first time we used it. cheaply built handles. please send me a list of recalls on this vehicle please for our own safety as this vehicle is driven daily on open highways. *jb | |||
| 01/01/2006 | 50000 | 1 | 03/25/1998 |
| Windshield wiper system is faulty. usually the wipers continue running after being turned off, sometimes they stop while running, frequently they run continuously when in the interval settings, a few times they have failed to operate at all. *nm | |||
| 10/27/2004 | 73000 | 20 | |
| Intermittently the windshield wipers malfunctioned. the windshield wipers engaged by themselves to the fastest speed setting when in the slow speed setting. on 3 separate occasions the windshield wipers quit working, but engaged again within seconds on two occasions. then, failed to come back on the third occasion. this failure was due to a defect described in the windshield wiper recall 03v159000, but this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *ak | |||
| 07/17/2004 | 17 | ||
| When driving in the rain the windshield wipers failed, causing consumer to pull off the road. consumer contacted the dealership, but problem recurred.*ak | |||
| 01/01/2004 | 35000 | 5 | |
| Windshield wipers fail when it rains. *ak | |||
| 05/15/2003 | 1 | ||
| Windshield wipers are working intermittently, sometimes they will not work at all.*ak | |||
| 30000 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle experienced the same defect as stated in recall 03v159000 concerning windshield wiper/washer motor failure. however, this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to vin. *ak | |||
| 09/22/2003 | 1 | ||
| Windshield wipers come on and off intermittently without warning . *ak | |||
| 09/22/2003 | 1 | ||
| Intermittently windshield wipers become inoperable, obstructing the driver's view. *ak | |||
| 75000 | 1 | ||
| Windshield wiper experienced the same defect as stated in recall 03v 159 000; but this vehicle was not covered under recall due to vin. *ak | |||
| 48272 | 1 | 07/01/1998 | |
| Wiper cover circuit board had to be replaced because wipers were not working properly. *mr there was a recall regarding the issue, however the consumer's vehicle was not included in the recall.*ts *jb | |||
| 06/05/2003 | 0 | 2 | 02/28/2003 |
| 1998 gmc sonoma 2wd has identical windshield wiper motor malfunction to already recalled 1997 sonomas. cracked solder joints in the wiper motor circuit board causes wiper failure. the 1998 sonoma's need to be included in the gm recall.*ak | |||
| 05/01/2003 | 55000 | 50 | 08/30/1998 |
| Windshield wipers quit working during rain. they will resume when they dry out. *nlm | |||
| 08/12/2002 | 10 | 05/24/2001 | |
| On several occasions the windshield wipers stop working. was traveling through downtown dallas in heavy rain and traffic at a high rate of speed when the wipers stopped and i had to stop immediately on the interstate and wait for them to start working again. took to a repair shop in oklahoma and had the connections cleaned and eventually re-soldered. was told this is a common problem with this type of vehicle and will probably need to replace the wiper motor. has there been a recall on this model and year? *nlm | |||
| 02/24/2002 | |||
| Windshield wipers operate intermittently while in use. while driving in the rain, wipers will stop /start or won't stop after starting. contacted dealer.*ak | |||
| 01/12/2002 | 1000 | 06/01/2000 | |
| Windshield wiperss failed and work sparadically. connection at plug to motor faulty. dealer refuses to fix.*ak | |||
| 02/25/2001 | 15 | 11/20/1997 | |
| Consumer states during the last sixth months on several occasions the windshield wipers, when activated, work for a few seconds and then stop, causing a visibility problem, consumer has roated the wiper knob to high, turned it off, and slowed it down, neither of which relieve the problem, dealer stated motor needed replaced, however consumer feels that the motor was not the problem, so he is continuing to drive the vehicle as is. serpentine belt failed and was replaced. *slc | |||
| 05/08/2001 | 0 | ||
| Windshield wipers went out during a rain storm. was told this happened all the time. consumer considered this dangerous because he could not see when raining. *ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - SWITCH/WIRING | |||
| 10/01/2006 | 1 | ||
| At first instance of failure windshield wipers would intermitently stop working. it has now progressed to total failure. got under hood and traced to wiring plug in at wiper motor. if plug is jiggled the wipers will work for a short period of time. vehicle cannot be driven during possible rain conditions due to safety issues. we are in the process of getting an estimate for repairs from a dealer.*ak | |||
| 10/20/2005 | 107081 | 100 | 10/31/1998 |
| This started as an occasional failure in 2002 when the intermittent wipers would suddenly start wiping at full speed on their own and would only go back to intermittent speed after i would turn off the wipers and re-turn them on. in august 2005 this changed to where the intermittent wipers would go to full speed and then just stop. they would not resume wiping when i would turn the switch on and off several times (thus i was driving in the rain with no wipers). however - they would just as suddenly begin wiping. in october 2005 i had the local gm dealer replace the wiper module circuit board which it turned out was cracked. this is the same piece of equipment that gmc did a recall for vehicles between 1994 and 1997. i have registered this issue with the gm claims department - but they will not take any action for a recall nor reimburse the cost of the part. *nm | |||
| 03/28/2005 | 44475 | 4 | 08/28/1998 |
| Windshield wipers run for a while (5 to 15 min) then just stop. after a variable period of time (1min-10 min) they will come back on only to quit again after a short period of time. last night it was raining hard and the failure caused a serious loss of visibilty, luckly no accident ensued.this was not the first time this failure occurred and i saw two other similar complaints on your web site. | |||
| 09/25/2004 | 67880 | 17 | 08/20/2004 |
| My windshield wipers on my truck will work for a while and then lock up, today i was driving on the interstate and it was raining and the wipers were working fine and then it began pouring suddenly the wipers stopped about halfway almost causing me to lose control. *ak | |||
| 01/01/2003 | 70000 | 1 | 08/01/2001 |
| Wipers broken - work occassionally when wiring harness jiggled - then stop again. | |||