Model year record
2002 Chevrolet Sonoma recalls & problems
The 2002 Chevrolet Sonoma has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 3 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is air bags (1 complaint).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2002 Chevrolet Sonoma.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Air bagsFrontal | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 1 | — |
| Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC HANDLE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAS FAILED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR HANDLE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY THE HANDLE CONTINUES TO FAIL. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsFire
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45 MPH & 50 MPH I HAD TO BRAKE HARD THE BRAKE SYSTEM SHOT BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STARTED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DEALER IS CURRENTLY LOOKING AT TRUCK FOR REPAIRS. *NM
- Air bags › Frontal
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE CONSUMER RAN INTO A BOULDER HEAD ON AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLESClosed
GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SPECIAL POLICY PROGRAM FOR 903,464 OWNERS OF 2000 - 2003 MODEL S/T VEHICLES THROUGH WHICH OWNERS MAY, AT THEIR OPTION, EITHER (1) PERIODICALLY INSPECT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLE AND HAVE THE CABLES REPLACED IF THE CABLE COATING EXHIBITS ANY INDICATIONS OF DAMAGE OR DETERIORATION OR (2) REQUEST THAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. GM WILL HONOR ALL REQUESTS BY OWNERS WHO OPT FOR REPLACEMENT WITHOUT QUESTION REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OR APPEARANCE OF THE CABLES. GM HAS AGREED TO MAIL REMINDER NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS 12 YEARS OLD.ODI'S INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE REPORTED COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (94%) HAVE OCCURRED IN MY 2000 - 2003 S/T VEHICLES.
- TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE(S) BREAKClosed
ODI IS UPGRADING RQ04-012 AND OPENING AN EA TO INVESTIGATE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 1998 - 2004 MODEL YEAR SONOMA AND S10 MODEL VEHICLES.GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-129 TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES ORIGINALLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 SIERRAS AND SILVERADOS AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 AVALANCHES AND ESCALADE EXTS (C/K MODELS).GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODITHAT THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE FABRICATED USING IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR SHEATHING MATERIAL AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.HOWEVER,GENERAL MOTORS HAS ADVISED ODI THAT SONOMA AND S-10 VEHICLES DIFFER FROM C/K MODELS IN SEVERAL WAYS: THE VEHICLE HEIGHT IS LOWER; THE TAILGATE DISPLACEMENT (DROP) WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES IS SMALLER AND THE TAILGATE COMES TO REST AT A LESS SEVERE TIP ANGLE WHEN NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CABLES; THE TAILGATE…