2002 GMC Sonoma

57 complaints on file, page 1 of 3.

1. Filed Jul 30, 2025Failure Jul 27, 2025Orem, UTUnknown or other

   During an oil change I noticed unusual wear on the front passenger side tire. Upon investigation my mechanic found that the chassis was cracked which pushed the tire causing it to rub. Very concerned this could have caused a very bad accident.

   NHTSA complaint 11677357
2. Filed Oct 14, 2015Failure Oct 9, 2015194,000 milesHagerstown, MDBodyCrash1 injured

   THE 3RD DOOR ON EXT CAB. THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THIS IS MAJOR COMPLAINTS FOR THESE 3RD MODELS. HAVE TO REPLACE PINS OR SOMETHING, BUT IT KEEPS HAPPENING. THIS A A LIFE & DEATH HAZARD & DEFECT. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED? IN AN ACCIDENT, (REAR ENDED) THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED.

   NHTSA complaint 10782137
3. Filed May 4, 2015Failure Apr 30, 2015200,000 milesLafitte, LAStructure, Temporary/emergency spare tire

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SONOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE WIRE CABLE HOIST ASSEMBLY FRAY SNAPPED AND THE SPARE TIRE FELL ONTO THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10714391
4. Filed Jan 30, 2015Failure Jun 15, 201472,000 milesSneads Ferry, NCElectrical system

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY DISENGAGED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN IN THE ON POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS IN THE OFF POSITION, THE VEHICLE REMAINED POWERED ON. AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 03/30/15*LJ UPDATED 6/22/2015*JS

   NHTSA complaint 10680015
5. Filed Dec 4, 2013Failure Sep 12, 200792,000 milesHenrico, VABody

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR EXTENDED CAB DOOR HANDLE BECAME FRACTURED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT STATED THE SAME DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10554858
6. Filed Apr 13, 2012Failure Mar 20, 201264,988 milesBaton Rouge, LAService brakes, Hydraulic

   WHILE BRAKING FOR A YIELD INTERSECTION ON 3/30/2012, APPROX. 10AM, IN DRY AND CLEAR CONDITIONS, BRAKES ON 2002 GMC SONOMA FAILED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP DESPITE HARD PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RAN THROUGH INTERSECTION ALMOST COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE STOPPED AND PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, BOTH THE ABS AND BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. UPON TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTING, BOTH THE ABS AND BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHTS CLEARED AND WERE NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO BOTH INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND GM DEALERSHIP MECHANIC AND BOTH CONFIRMED AN ODB II TROUBLE CODE OF C0265 HAD BEEN GENERATED. THIS CODE, I WAS TOLD, INDICATES FAILURE OF THE EBCM (ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE) OF THE ABS SYSTEM. APPARENTLY, THIS PROBLEM IS WELL-KNOWN TO GM AND IT HAS ISSUED SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALLS. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC COULD NOT REPLACE THE EBCM AS LACKED THE PROPRIETARY GM SOFTWARE NEEDED TO PROGRAM IT. GM DEALERSHIP MECHANIC--WHILE CONFIRMING GENERATION OF THE C0265 TROUBLE CODE--REFUSED TO REPLACE THE EBCM INSTEAD SAYING I SHOULD "JUST DRIVE IT AROUND AND SEE IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN." THIS SEEMED A VERY DISMISSIVE APPROACH BY GM TO A KNOWN PROBLEM ON CERTAIN OF THEIR ABS VEHICLES AS THE FIRST BRAKE FAILURE ON 3/20/2012 ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. NOT ANXIOUS TO FIND OUT WHAT THE SECOND FAILURE THE GM DEALER WANTS ME TO "WAIT FOR" WOULD RESULT IN. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10455210
7. Filed Mar 26, 2012Failure Mar 9, 201275,000 milesSaltsburg, PAService brakes, Hydraulic

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE, BUT WAS CONCERNED IT COULD SUDDENLY OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10453100
8. Filed Dec 15, 2009Failure Apr 1, 200950,000 milesParkville, MDLatches/locks/linkages, Structure

   2002 GMC SONOMA ZR-2 EXTENDED CAB DOOR ENTRY HANDLE HAS FAILED 5 TIMES OVER PAST 6 YEARS. PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10295769
9. Filed Jun 29, 2009Failure Jun 27, 2009120,000 milesDover, NHLatches/locks/linkages

   DOOR LATCH FOR MY EXTENDED CAB DOOR HAS BROKEN FOR THE 2ND TIME SINCE I'VE OWNED IT, WHICH IS 2004 AND THE LASY ONE LASTED ONLY 2 YEARS. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10275196
10. Filed Oct 3, 2008Failure Oct 3, 2008Mineola, TXLatches/locks/linkages, Door

    I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2002, BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. THE THIRD DOOR HANDLE HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES, TODAY IT BROKE AGAIN. IF SOMEONE WERE IN THE BACK OF THE CAB AND HAD TO GET OUT, THEY COULD NOT. THIS HANDLE IS PLASTIC AND BREAKS CONTINUOUSLY. THE CHEVY HOUSE INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE THIS PART IN STOCK ALL THE TIME BECAUSE IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. THEY REPLACED IT 4 TIMES WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY NOW, SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED AND MADE INTO A HEAVIER MATERIAL AND MADE A RECALL. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10244347
11. Filed Aug 5, 2008Failure Aug 4, 200830,000 milesNiles, OHService brakes, HydraulicCrash

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SONOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR AND THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT'S SON DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING BRAKE LINE FAILURE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10236973
12. Filed Mar 10, 2008Failure Jan 25, 200654,386 milesDana Point, CAColumn

    ON 1/25/06 I TOOK MY 2002 GMC SONOMA PICKUP TRUCK TO ALLEN GMC IN LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA TO HAVE THEM CHECK OUT A CLICKING NOISE I WAS HEARING IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY IN IT. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT (GMC P/N 26056116) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 244.90 PLUS 188.00 FOR LABOR. I HAD THE REPAIR DONE AND THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED FOR A WHILE BUT IN DECEMBER 2007 I NOTICED THAT THE SAME SYMPTOMS (CLICKING NOISE AS WELL AS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL) WERE BACK. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO ALLEN GMC WITH A COPY OF THE INVOICE (INV # GCCS358357)FOR THE ORIGINAL REPAIR. THE SERVICE WRITER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD RETURNED BUT SAID THAT THE REPAIR AND PARTS WERE OUT OF THE 12 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD. I TOLD HIM I WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR INABILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST AND WAS GIVEN THE PHONE NUMBER TO THEIR NATIONAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION LINE (800 GMC-TRUC). I CALLED THIS NUMBER ON 2/15/08 AND TOLD THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP (TERRI AT EXT 21714) ABOUT THE PROBLEM THAT I HAD FIXED AND THAT IT HAD RETURNED LESS THAN 2 YEARS LATER. SHE GAVE ME A FILE NUMBER OF 71-607365535 AND TOLD ME I WOULD HEAR BACK FROM HER IN A FEW DAYS. ON 2/18/08, TERRI CALLED BACK TO INFORM ME THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT ELAPSED SINCE THE REPAIR THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT GMC WOULD DO FOR ME. I EXPLAINED TO HER THAT IT IS UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT A CUSTOMER TO PAY NUMEROUS TIMES FOR A GMC PART THAT CLEARLY WAS POORLY DESIGNED. I TOLD HER THAT I FOUND SEVERAL INCIDENCES ON THE INTERNET OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME PART AND THAT GMC NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE PART THEY NEED TO FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE. SINCE THIS DEFECTIVE PART IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE STEERING SYSTEM, I THINK IT IS IS IMPERATIVE THAT GMC FIX IT AND NOT CAUSE THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10220734
13. Filed Nov 19, 2007Failure Oct 3, 200523,000 milesMontgomery, ALDoor

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SONOMA. THE HANDLE ON THE THIRD DOOR FAILED AFTER BEING REPLACED SEVEN TIMES. THE HANDLE IS PLASTIC AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN ONCE IT FAILS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10209316
14. Filed Jan 5, 2007Failure Dec 1, 200630,000 milesCitrus Heights, CAClutch assembly

    TL* - THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN HIS CLUTCH FAILED ON HIS 2002 GMC SONOMA. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE WET. THE CLUTCH STOPPED ENGAGING, THE ENGINE WAS REVVING BUT NONE OF THE GEARS WOULD ENGAGE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE TOW DRIVER SAID HE COULD SMELL THE CLUTCH BURNING. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE CLUTCH FLUID THE NEXT MORNING AND 3/4 OF IT WAS MISSING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A CLUTCH REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS SHOWN THE FLYHEEL THAT MELTED. THE FORD DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THE CLUTCH BURNED OUT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10177862
15. Filed Nov 30, 2006Failure Nov 29, 2006111,111 milesAtlanta, GAService brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

    TONIGHT, A RAINY NIGHT IN TEXAS I HAD TO BRAKES SUDDENLY. FINALLY MY ABS BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY .THERE WAS NO HEAVY PULL TO THE LEFT SWERVING INTO THE NEXT LANE, AS IT DID FROM 2003-2005. THERE WAS PULSATION FROM THE BRAKING MECHANISM THAT I NEVER FELT BEFORE LIKE I TOLD IT SHOULD WORK. I DIDN'T HAVE TO FIGHT WITH THE WHEEL TO KEEP CONTROL. IT NEVER SWERVED LIKE NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE OUT OF THE OVER 100 TIMES MY ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED , THIS TIME FINALLY IT WORKED THE WAY ABS SHOULD WORK DURING A WET BUMPY ROAD. LAST YEAR AFTER MANY PHONE CALLS ABOUT MY MANY ISSUES,GM CORP AND THE DEALER FINALLY WAS WILLING TO CHECK OUT MY VEHICLE AGAIN WITH ABS BRAKES AND OTHER ISSUES. I DROVE MY VEHICLE AT MY COST FROM TEXAS TO GEORGIA. THE DEALER REPORTED MY VEHICLE'S ISSUES WERE REPAIRED. THE DRL ISSUE (TURNS OFF WHILE USING THE TURN SIGNAL, STUPID DEFECT THAT THEY HAVE IN THE MANUAL. AS IF IT NORMAL. I STILL DON'T KNOW ANY OTHER CAR THAT DOES THIS ) THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE BUT THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE IS GONE. WHEN I HAD THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IT AFFECTED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE OVER THE TIME I HAD THE TRUCK. I EVEN HAD MY RADIO REPLACED OVER NINE TIMES. MY LAST ISSUE WAS THE SYSTEM NOT RECOGNIZING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON AND DRIVING FROM GA TO TX AND BACK BEFORE IT WOULD GO OUT. I DROVE 2000 MILES. ....ABS BRAKES." WHAT EVER THE DEALER DID TO MY CAR TO REPAIR THE SWERVING ISSUES. THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE MALFUNCTIONING ABS BRAKES ON THE SONOMA VEHICLE. THERE IS A DEFECT AND IT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED. MINE WAS FIXED AFTER 3 YEARS. THESE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS UNTIL REPAIRED. I HAVE AVOIDED MANY ACCIDENTS BY BEING VERY CAREFUL ; OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE DRIVING. HAVE GM FIX THOSE FAULTY ABS BRAKES. PLEASE NOTE YOU CAN FIND MY MANY COMPLAINTS UNDER GMC SONOMA 2002. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10174751
16. Filed Aug 8, 2006Failure Feb 28, 200658,000 milesWoodbury, MNHinge and attachments

    I OWN A 2002 GMC SONOMA PICK-UP. I HAD THE CABLES ON THE TAILGATE BREAK WHEN CLIMBING INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. I HAVE FOUND ARTICLES ON THIS SUBJECT ON THE INTERNET FROM NEWS AGENCIES THAT SAY GMC WOULD BE SENDING OUT A LETTER TO OWNERS OF THE GMC SONOMA'S AND S10 THAT WOULD WARN OF THE PROBLEM AND OFFER AN INSPECTION OF THE CABLES AND REPLACEMENT OF THE CABLES. I NEVER RECEIVED THE LETTER AND THE DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10164921
17. Filed Jul 10, 2006Failure Aug 1, 2005Manchester, NJService brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Rotor

    ON MY 2002 GMC SONOMA TRUCK THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE PAD WAS WORN OFF AND THE ROTOR SEVERELY SCORED AND RUINED BY 14,000 MILES, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE GMC DEALER DECLARED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MEAN WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE PAD WAS LARGELY INTACT AND THE ROTOR PERFECT. ALSO THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED TO STOP TRUCK PROMPTLY OR SMOOTHLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10161955
18. Filed Jun 26, 2006Failure Jun 23, 200663,710 milesDover, DEHinge and attachments

    TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BROKEN. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10160747
19. Filed May 4, 2006Failure May 4, 200660,000 milesMesa, AZSwitch

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V139000, REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH; HOWEVER THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 6/23/2006 - *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10156786
20. Filed May 3, 2006Failure May 3, 200660,000 milesWoodbury, MNHinge and attachments

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STANDING ON THE TAILGATE, BOTH CABLES FRACTURED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V066000, REGARDING THE TAILGATE CABLE; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

    NHTSA complaint 10156700