2001 GMC Sonoma

Routine

Owners filed 89 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the body and frame. It has been recalled 1 time.

Not among the GMC Sonoma years to avoid. Which GMC Sonoma years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
52,449 milesMedian miles at failure

48 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 50,000–60,000 miles.

Most common 2001 GMC Sonoma problems

26 of the 89 complaints (29%) are about the body and frame.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments · body and frame23
003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes7
000
Unknown or Other4
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration3
100
Service Brakes · brakes3
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner3
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · fuel system3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components · brakes2
100
Seats2
000
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · transmission2
100

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Seat Belts00V228003
Filed Aug 7, 2000156,305 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 11, 2016190,000 milesKY

CAN NOT LOCATE FUEL LINES FOR GMC. WHEN I TRY TO FIND THE FUEL LINES IT IS MARKED THAT THEY ARE UN-AVAILABLE.LINES HAVE RUSTED OUT AND LEAK.HAD NEW FUEL PUMP INSTALLED WHEN THIS WAS NOTICED.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 7, 2015200,000 milesTN

MY IGNITION SWITCH SOMETIMES STICKS. ABLE TO TAKE KEY OUT WHEN RUNNING

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 19, 201455,000 milesMD

THE FOOT OPERATED PARKING BRAKE BROKE UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAD ESTIMATES THAT WERE WELL OVER $300 TO FIX, AND HAVE NOT YET HAD WORK DONE. I ONLY PARK ON LEVEL ROADS AND HOPE TRANSMISSION WILL HOLD IN PARK. I FEEL THIS MUST BE A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 26, 201495,424 milesUT

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 14, 201469,010 milesCA

DRIVING IN TOWN ABS LIGHT & BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON, NO ACCIDENT. LOOKING FOR RECALLS, TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS! LIGHTS COME ON EVERY TIME I DRIVE TRUCK, SOMETIMES IMMEDIATELY. *JS

Power Train
Filed Jul 9, 201378,000 milesOH

MY TRUCK RADIATOR STARTED TO SMELL AS IF IT HAD A LEAK. I TOOK IT TO A RADIATOR SHOP. THIS SHOP HAPPENS TO BE VERY CLOSE TO THE GM PLANT IN DAYTON, OHIO. THE MAN TOOK ONE LOOK AT THE TRUCK. HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT ALL THE RADIATORS FOR THIS TRUCK FROM THE 2001 YEARS WERE SENT TO HIM PRIOR TO INSTALLING. HE SAID THEY HAD BEEN LEFT OUTSIDE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND ALL OF THEM HAD TO BE CLEANED OUT BECAUSE OF HEAVY RUST. HE STATED MINE MUST OF BEEN MISSED. THE RUST IN THE RADIATOR WAS SO THICK IT WAS LIKE MUD! HE REPLACED THE RADIATOR, HOSES AND EVEN HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR FLUID RESERVOIR BECAUSE IT LITERALLY HAD INCHES OF RUST IN IT. THIS IS SOMETHING THE COMPANY KNEW ABOUT AND I SHOULD NOT OF HAD TO REPLACE IT. THE NEXT THING TO HAPPEN IS TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE TRUCK IS MAKING A WHINING NOISE - SOUNDS LIKE SOME TIRES DO. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL PLACES TO REPAIR AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE SOUND. WE HAVE REPLACED SO MANY PARTS, MANY OF THEM MORE THAN ONCE IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE PUT OVER $3000 OF WORK IN THE TRUCK JUST OVER THE LAST MONTH AND AM NOT YET FINISHED. THE BRACKETS HOLDING THE REAR SUSPENSION IN PLACE ARE CRUMBLING IN MY HAND. THE MUFFLER IS LEAKING. IT IS STALLING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AND IS IDLING VERY FAST EVEN THO IT HAS HAD REGULAR TUNE UPS AND MAINTENANCE. THE TAILGATE IS BROKEN - YOU CAN JUST PULL IT OFF THE TRUCK. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE WHINING CONTINUES WHENEVER IT IS BEING DRIVEN. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO

Suspension › Front
Filed Aug 3, 2011KS

IN THE LAST 6 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS; BOTH UPPER AND LOWER AND SHOCKS ALL AROUND FOR THE SECOND TIME. I DO NOT GO OUT 4-WHEELING AND BASICALLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE ONLY IN TOWN DRIVING. I DO NOT THINK THESE PARTS SHOULD BE WEARING OUT SO QUICKLY ON THIS VEHICLE. *KB

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Jan 23, 201043,000 milesFL

THE TAILGATE CABLES BOTH BROKE WHILE A FRIEND WAS SITTING ON THE TAILGATE CAUSING HER TO FALL. SHE ONLY WEIGHS APPROXIMATELY 140 LBS. I HAD NOTICED THAT 1 OF THE CABLES LOOKED WEAK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, BUT THE OTHER SEEMED TO BE STABLE. APPARENTLY NEITHER OF THEM WERE ANY GOOD. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 5, 2009114,000 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING MY HUSBANDS 2001 GMC SONOMA FROM OHIO BACK TO FLORIDA WHEN THE DRIVESHAFT SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK AND MUFFLER. THIS EVENT LED TO US HAVING TO REPLACE THE REAR DRIVESHAFT, FUEL TANK, AND HE REPAIRED THE MUFFLER. WE RESEARCHED GMC DRIVESHAFT FAILURES ON LINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DRIVESHAFT BREAKING. *TR

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Oct 23, 200753,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SONOMA. THE STEEL CABLES THAT HELD THE TAIL GATE SNAPPED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SEATED ON THE TAIL GATE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED SCRATCHES ON HIS ARMS AND ELBOWS. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER AN EXPLANATION FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V066000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: TAILGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) FOR THE 2000 GMC SIERRA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 12, 2007KS

ABS FAILURE AT SLOW SPEEDS-ABS TRIES TO ENGAGE,BRAKE IS SLOW AT FIRST WITH NOISE AND THEN ABS LIGHT APPEARS AND ENGAGES DANGEROUS BRAKING RESETS AFTER TURNING OFF GOES THROUGH IT ALL AGAIN NEST TIME YOU DRIVE. *TR

Power Train › Driveline › DriveshaftCrash
Filed Aug 25, 200799,285 milesAR

THERE HAD BEEN A WHINING(LIKE THE OLD RADIAL TIRES USED TO MAKE) NOISE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND I JUST FIGURED IT WAS THE TIRES. IT GOT LOUD ON 8/24 AND I STOPPED AND PUT IT IN PARK, AS I GOT OUT TO LOOK UNDER THE TRUCK, IT STARTED ROLLING AND ROLLED DOWN INTO THE WOODS, WE HAVE FILED A POLICE REPORT AND REPORTED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO GET THE TRUCK OUT. THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS LYING WHERE THE TRUCK WAS PUT IN PARK.,,ALTHOUGH THE PARK DID NOT HOLD. THE DRIVE SHAFT TWISTED AND SPLIT,,,EXPLODED BY THE LOOKS OF IT. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DRIVE SHAFT. *TR

Tires
Filed Mar 16, 200738,000 milesMI

P235/SSR16 GDY BW EAG G/A 96T 45K TIRE DEFECT: TREAD SEPARATION FROM INNER CORE. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TRUCK. DEFECT OCCURRED AT LESS THAN 38,000 MILES ON VEHICLE/TIRE. NOTED THUMPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND SEVERE SHAKING OF FRONT END. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SUGGESTED CONTACTING GOODYEAR WHICH HAS BEEN DONE BUT NO ACTION TO DATE.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
Filed Oct 4, 2006100,600 milesUT

ON 9/27/2006 AROUND 8:45 PM (DARK) JUST NORTH OF PAYSON, AZ ON AZ HWY 260, I STOPPED FOR AN ACCIDENT BLOCKING A NARROW PART OF THE ROAD AND TURNED ON THE HAZARD FLASHERS ON MY 2001 GMC SONOMA. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (2-3 MIN.) THE HAZARD LIGHTS JUST QUIT FLASHING. I ALSO LOST MY TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. I VISITED A DEALER IN SHOW LOW, AZ WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM & GAVE EST. OF $400-$500 BUT COULD NOT REPAIR (PART NOT IN STOCK). I SPENT $50 TO PURCHASE MAG-MOUNTED LIGHTS THAT I WIRED INTO THE HIGH CENTER-MOUNTED LIGHT AT REAR OF THE CAB (THIS LIGHT WORKED, BUT IT IS HIDDEN BY A SHELL OVER BED OF TRUCK) & USED THIS TO DRIVE HOME TO UTAH. I CHECKED INTO RECALLS AND FOUND NONE ONE THE SONOMA BUT DID SEE ONE ISSUED ON JIMMY, BLAZER, TRAILBLAZER, ENVOY, AND BRAVADA (ALL SIMILAR TO SONOMA). THIS SAFETY RECALL DESCRIBED EXACTLY THE FAILURE I EXPERIENCED (NHTSA # 01V364000, GM # 01073A). ON TUE, OCT 3, 2006 I HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A DEALER IN AMERICAN FORK, UT, COST: $447.34. I CALLED GM TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER IT (REF # 1-435884993). GM DECLINED TO COVER IT BECAUSE THE SONOMA MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. FOLLOWING UP, I LEARNED THE FOLLOWING: - MY VIN IS IN THE RANGE OF VINS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL AS VEHICLES THAT MAY BE AFFECTED. - MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AT ONE OF TWO PLANTS INVOLVED IN THIS (LINDEN). - THE RESULTS OF THE "INSPECTION PROCEDURE" SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL MATCH EXACTLY THE SITUATION WITH MY VEHICLE, INCLUDING REPLACING THE "MULTIFUNCT

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Sep 15, 200648,000 milesCO

PURCHASED TRUCK IN 2006. MILEAGE AT 48,000. TROUBLE STARTING, FUEL PUMP REPLACED. OIL COOLING LINES REPLACED. SUBSEQUENTLY, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM 2 WD TO 4 WD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATOR IS NOT DEPRESSED, AND WHEELS ARE TURNED, TO TURN A CORNER OR TO TURN INTO/OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. USUALLY THERE IS A DEPRESSION IN PATH AS WELL, I.E. CURB/DIP AT DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE, POTHOLE, ETC. ENGINE IS NOT ALWAYS COLD; SOMETIMES SHIFTS AT END OF TRIP, SOMETIMES AT BEGINNING, NO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Aug 27, 200652,449 milesMN

2001 GMC SONOMA SLS. STARTED IN MAY 2006 WITH 52,449 MILES ON VEHICLE: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER IDENTIFIED BAD O2 SENSOR AND REPLACED ($253). TWO WEEKS LATER AT 53,131, SES LIGHT AGAIN. DEALER INSTALLED NEW CHECK VALVE ($116). 3-4 WEEKS LATER AT 53,892, SES LIGHT AGAIN. DEALER SAID WATER IN AIR PUMP, REPLACED AIR PUMP AND HOSE ($357). NOW ON 26 AUG (54,084) SES LIGHT JUST CAME ON AGAIN. IN 60 DAYS, THE LIGHT HAS BEEN CLEARED & RESET 3 TIMES WITH OVER $700 IN REPAIRS AND NOW ANOTHER TROUBLE. *JB

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Aug 26, 200663,700 milesIL

OWNER SAT ON OPEN PICKUP TRUCK TAILGATE AND BOTH SUPPORT CABLES FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY CAUSING GATE TO FALL DOWNWARD UNTIL STOPPED BY CONTACT WITH THE REAR BUMPER. REPLACEMENT CABLES WERE SUPPLIED BY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT INSTALLATION LABOR WAS NOT FUNDED. FAILED PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *JB

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Aug 23, 200651,300 milesWI

FAILURE OF TAILGATE CABLE. THE SECOND CABLE IS STARTING TO BULGE IN MIDDLE, JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THAT ONE GOES. MY WIFE AND I WERE SITTING ON THE TAILGATE WHEN THE RIGHT ONE SNAPPED. *JB

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Jul 3, 200675,629 milesWV

FAILURE OF TAILGATE CABLE. THE SECOND CABLE IS STARTING TO BULGE IN MIDDLE. *NM

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Jun 14, 200635,200 milesMI

TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE CORRODED AND BROKE CAUSING TAILGATE TO DROP ONTO BUMPER. NORMAL NON-COMMERCIAL USE OF MY 2001 GMC SONOMA PICKUP. (I NOTICE THE GM HAS A RECALL IF JUST THIS THING FOR 1999 AND 2000 SILVERADO AND SIERRA BUT THE SAME HAS HAPPENED ON MY SONOMA...NOT RECALL HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 25, 200653,000 milesMN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 10 MPH, THE ABS ENGAGED RESULTING IN AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE ACTIVATION OCCURRED. THE BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 6/16/2006 - *NM

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Apr 10, 200626,000 milesMS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TAILGATE CABLES CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE DEALER WAS SPOKEN TO VERBALLY AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL FOR THE TAILGATE CORROSION. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V066000, CONCERNING THE TAILGATE CABLES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Apr 6, 200649,580 milesNJ

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING ON THE TAILGATE, THE CABLE ATTACHMENT FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CABLE, ALTHOUGH ENCASED IN PLASTIC, RETAINED MOISTURE AND RESULTED IN A RUSTING OF THE CABLE MATERIAL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CABLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V066000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Mar 29, 200670,000 milesOR

TAIL GATE CABLES RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED ON MY GMC PICK-UP. *JB

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Mar 15, 2006PA

LOADING, UNLOADING, AND SITTING ON THE TAILGATE OF A 2001 GMC SONOMA LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF BOTH OF THE TAILGATE CABLES. BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION TO THE CABLES. SEVERE RUST IS VISIBLE ON THE CABLES. THE CABLES SNAPPED SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE SITTING ON THE TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE, CREATING MINOR DENTS IN THE TAILGATE WHERE IT CONTACTED THE TOPSIDE OF THE REAR BUMPER. THE TAILGATE CABLE AND LATCH ASSEMBLY ARE CONNECTED AS ONE UNIT, WITH ONE UNIT ON EACH SIDE OF THE TAILGATE. BOTH UNITS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW CABLES/LATCH ASSEMBLIES PURCHASED FROM A GMC DEALERSHIP SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT. BOTH OLD CABLES/LATCH ASSEMBLIES ARE STILL AVAILABLE. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jan 23, 20061,160 milesNY

I BOUGH 2001-GMC-TRUCK-SONOMA. AS A LEFT OVER. ON JANUARY 11, 2002,IS THE DATE I RECEIVED IT ,THAT IS WHEN I BOUGH IT. ON APRIL 10, 2002 @\AT 1160 MILES,THEY REPLACED BOTH OF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. ON AUGUST 14, 2003 AT 7745 MILES THEY REPLACED BOTH OF THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS, AND TURNED FRONT ROTORS. NOW AS OF JAN212006,THERE IS ONLY 17,868 MILES ON THE TRUCK, IT'S ALWAYS BE GARAGE KEEPED.AND WELL CARED FOR.IT'S STILL HAS THE NEW SMALL INSIDE, NOW ALL 4 OF THE ROTORS AND BRAKES HAVES TO BE REPLACD. I CANNOT UNDER STAND WHY ITS SHOULDBE UP TO ME TO REPLACE WITH ONLY THEN MILES-PER ABOVE.*AK

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Jan 22, 2006WV

TAILGATE CABLE CORRODED AND FAILED. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Dec 23, 2005TX

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED. HE WAS UNABLE TO DEACTIVATE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE AND TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Dec 16, 2005TN

THE TAILGATE CABLE ON MY 2001 GMC SONOMA SNAPPED WHEN I SAT ON THE TAILGATE WHILE IT WAS IN THE LOWERED POSITION. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE CABLE IS CORRODED. GMC WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE CABLES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE CABLES FOR THIS MODEL. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND HAS CREATED A SAFETY CONCERN ON THIS TRUCK. AS OF THIS DATE THE CABLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AGAINST GM TO FORCE THEM TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM? *NM

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Nov 21, 200528,400 milesMT

BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE ON MY TRUCK AT THE SAME TIME. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Oct 10, 200536,000 milesOR

I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH BALKING, STALLING OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT OF PARTS. THE PROBLEM IS STILL WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE COMPUTER REPLACED, THE FUEL RELAY PUMP, WIRES REPLACED, FUEL FILTER, BUT I AM STILL HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT IS INTERMITTENT, WHICH MAKES IT MORE SCARY. *JB

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Sep 27, 200543,000 milesNC

2001 GMC SONOMA, BOTH TAIL GATE CABLES BROKE WHEN I STEPPED UP ON IT TO ACCESS THE BED. THE TAIL GATE HIT THE BUMPER AND WAS SCRATCHED AND DENTED. *JB

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Sep 10, 200550,000 milesCT

OUR GMC SONOMA WAS HIT HEAD ON, BOTH VEHICLES DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH. THE SONOMA HAD EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, BROKEN GLASS, THE ROOF BUCKLED (NOT A ROLL OVER) DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR PROTRUDED INTO VEHICLE, CONSOLE EXPLODED INTO VEHICLE,IMPACT GREAT ENOUGH TO SHATTER SIDE WINDOWS AND BROKEN WINDSHIELD ,FRONT AXLE BROKEN, FRAME SHOWED 4-6" GAP BETWEEN CAB & BED .......NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HOW MANY OTHER FAMILIES FEEL SECURE WITH KNOWING THEIR VEHICLE HAS AIRBAGS?*JB

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Aug 25, 200555,000 milesOH

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I OWN A 2001 GMC SONOMA PICKUP TRUCK. AFTER VERY LIMITED USE OF MY TAILGATE I EXPERIENCED A BREAKAGE OF THE CABLE THAT SUPPORTS THE TAILGATE ON MY TRUCK. IT APPEARS TO BE THAT THE STEEL CABLE HAS RUSTED INSIDE ITS PROTECTIVE PLASTIC COATING CAUSING THE CABLE TO WEAKEN. THE ENDS OF THESE CABLES HAVE A SHRINK-WRAP MATERIAL TO SEAL OUT MOISTURE BUT IT LOOK TO HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY ALLOWING MOISTURE TO ENTER AND RUST THE CABLE. I HAVE CONTACTED GMC TO NO AVAIL AND THEY REFUSE TO RECALL OR FIX THIS PROBLEM. SEEING AS GM'S LARGER TRUCKS HAVE A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE S10 / SONOMA PICKUP TRUCKS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. THE ONLY THING I CAN SPECULATE IS THE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE SONOMA TAILGATE CABLE COST $50 EACH FROM THE DEALER AND NO ONE HAS SUED THEM FOR INJURY AS OF YET OR THEY HAVE SETTLED OUT OF COURT. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED FROM A TAILGATE COMING DETACHED FROM THE TRUCK IN QUESTION. PAUL DAUBEL PS: HERE IS A THREAD I STARTED IN AN S10 TRUCK FORUM. IT SHOWS THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.S10FORUM.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=175244&PAGE=1&PP=30

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Aug 10, 2005ND

2001 GMC SONOMA END GATE / TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BROKE. BOTH AT THE SAME INSTANT IN THE SAME LOCATION ON THE CABLE. THIS CABLE SHOULD BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER AS A FAULTY COMPONENT. *NM

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 5, 200550,000 milesKY

MY GMC TRUCK HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL AND EMISSIONS SYSTEM BUT NOW THE TRUCK HESITATES AND STALLS ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE TRUCK WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING IT CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE ATMOSPHERE. WHILE ACCELERATING THE TRUCK WILL SOMETIMES HESITATE WHICH SLOWS DOWN ACCELERATION. MANY OTHER CHEVY/GMC S-10 OWNERS HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Jun 20, 200513,382 milesFL

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER 14,000 MILES. THE BRAKES BEGAN MAKING A SCRAPING NOISE. THE SERVICE DEALER SAID THE FRONT BRAKES WERE HEAVILY CORRODED, THEY WERE REPLACED. *AK THE RADIATOR CAP WAS LEAKING. *SC *JB

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Jun 14, 200579,000 milesGA

WHILE LOADING A PUSH MOWER INTO TRUCK BED , CABLES SNAPPED-RUSTED THRU, BLACK VINYL SHIELD HIDE DAMAGE. I SLIPPED OFF TAILGATE AND CUT MY LEG ON SIDE OF TAILGATE WHILE FALLING.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 21, 200553,000 milesOH

2001 4WD 4.3 GMC SONOMA, 53K MILES, NO KNOWN EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE, WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE, LOSS OF FIRST GEAR AND REVERSE, ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT DO TO UNEXPECTED DECELERATION. I HAVE REPLACED TRANSFER CASE (WHERE IT WAS MAKING MUCH NOISE) BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. BY FAR THIS TRUCK IS NOT "PROFESSIONAL GRADE" AS THEIR ADVERTISING CLAIMS!

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed May 17, 200557,000 milesGA

HAVE 2001 GMC SONOMA TRUCK, BOTH TAILGATE STRAPS BROKE AT THE SAME TIME I WAS SITTING ON THE TAILGATE-WEIGH 200 LBS. GM EVIDENTLY RECALLED FULL SIZE TRUCKS BUT THE GMC SONOMA/CHEV. S-10 ARE NOT INCLUDED AND ARE HAVING THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE SAME CONSEQUENCES CERTAINLY WILL CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY/FATALITYS AS WELL. MANY ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND I'M SURE THE NUMBER WILL GROW. GM DOESN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS PRESENT. I WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR THE PARTS MYSELF BUT THEY WANTED AN ENORMOUSE $147.00 APIECE-NEED TWO, AND THAT ISN'T COUNTING LABOR. THEY MUST BE PROFITTING BIG TIME ON AS THEY KNOW THIS PART WILL FAIL OVER THE CONCERN OF SAFETY. THERE IS A DEFINITE DEFECT AND THE DEFECT THREATENS SAFETY AS WELL. GM MAY DOWNPLAY THIS TO SAVE MONEY BUT IT IS THEIR ENGINEERS,BUYERS,ETC. THAT OPTED FOR THIS QUALITY TO SAVE MONEY IN MANUFACTURING THUS AT NOW THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER'S SAFETY AND THEIR POCKETBOOK. I CAN'T BELIEVE GM IS GETTING AWAY WITH SOMETHING AS DANGEROUS AS THIS AND PROFFITTING BY NOT RECALLING AND GOUDGING THE CUSTOMER WHO BOUGHT THE GMC SONOMA'S/CHEVROLET S-10 MODEL SMALLER TRUCKS. THANKS. DOUG GILLIS [email protected]

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed May 13, 2005LA

2001 GMC SONOMA TAILGATE CABLES POPPED WHEN LOADING THE TRUCK. *MR *SC *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 4, 200578,000 milesCA

I HAVE A 2001 GMC SONOMA WHICH WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2002. THE VEHICLE HAS 78K MILES ON IT. AT FIRST THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TROUBLE STARTING. THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP WHEN DRIVEN COLD. AFTER THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, A CODE INDICATED THAT THERE WERE TWO SHIFT SOLENOID MALFUNCTIONS. BOTH SHIFT SOLENOIDS WERE REPLACED. THAT TWO DAYS AGO. TODAY THE TRUCK STARTED UP, SO THE VEHICLE WAS ASSUMED SAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A BUSY ROAD AT ABOUT 40 MPH, WITH AN 18 WHEELER TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND ME, WHEN THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF MALFUNCTION, SHIFTED FROM OVERDRIVE TO FIRST GEAR (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC) THUS RESULTING IN AN "ENGINE BRAKING" EFFECT WIHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN TO ABOUT 25 MPH. THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND LUCKILY THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND HAD ENOUGH ROOM TO SLOW DOWN. THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS NOT YET KNOWN, IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE ALOT "SERVICE BULLETINS" FOR THIS VEHICLE AND ITS CORPORATE COUSIN, THE CHEVY S-10. HOPEFULLY, THIS PROBLEM IS SOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED FROM THE FAILURE. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON WHAT PARTS WERE REPLACED/REPAIRED FROM THE DEALER.

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Apr 25, 200547,000 milesOH

TAILGATE CABLES BROKE ON MY 2001 GMC SONOMA. ONE PERSON WAS SITTING ON TAILGATE, WHEN SECOND PERSON SAT DOWN. BOTH CABLES BROKE AND DUMPED THEM ON THE GROUND. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jan 26, 2005CA

FUEL PUMP, REPAIRS COSTING OVER $2000.00 IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. SEE THAT THERE IS A HISTORY WITH THIS VEHICLE PART SO WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A SOLUTION FOR ALL OF US OUT HERE. THIS IS RIDICULOUOS. IT'S ALWAYS THE FUEL PUMP WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. VERY FUSTRATING FOR SUCH LOW MILES.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jan 26, 2005DC

2001 GMC SONOMA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE FIRST TIME THE PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 35000 MILE AND NOW IT'S BEING REPLACED AGAIN AT 60000 MILES. *NM

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Dec 23, 200438,000 milesTX

BOTH TAILGATE STRAPS BROKE ON MY 2001 GMC TRUCK. I ALSO HAVE A 1996 GMC TRUCK AND HAD THE SAME HAPPEN WITH IT.*AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Oct 26, 200463,000 milesIL

LEFT TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BROKE . *AK

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Sep 20, 200448,000 milesMI

BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE WHILE THE CONSUMER, WHO WEIGHED 155 LBS, WAS STANDING ON IT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. THE LEFT CABLE BROKE ON THE CONSUMER S-10. *NM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Sep 20, 2004MI

WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FIXTURE SHEARED OFF. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE PART. *AK

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Jul 30, 2004RI

THE CABLES THAT HOLDS THE TAILGATE GAVE WAY WHILE CONSUMER WAS ON IT.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS NOT HURT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF. THE CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT GMC WAS ISSUING A RECALL AN AS SOON AS THE REPLACEMENT CABLE ARRIVED HE COULD HAVE HIS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON JUNE 24, 2004. ON THAT DATE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WAS ONLY FOR THE FULL SIZE TRUCKS NOT THE COMPACT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AGAIN BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER FINALLY COMPLAINED TO THE GENTLEMAN WHO SOLD HIM THE TRUCK AND HE BOUGHT THE CONSUMER ONE OF THE TWO CABLES WITH HIS OWN MONEY. THE CONSUMER CURRENTLY HAS ONE NEW CABLE AND ONE HOMEMADE CABLE. *NM

Complaints 1-50 of 89, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20051000Routine
20040100Routine
200339110Routine
200257010Routine
2001 — this page89110Routine
2000136401Fatalities reported
199957110Routine
1998156420Routine
1997111300Routine
1996148910Routine
1995213700Above average
1994224621Fatalities reported
199358430Routine
199225300Routine
199129230Routine
19901000Routine

Compare every Sonoma year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 7, 2000. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.