Model year record
2002 GMC Sonoma recalls & problems
The 2002 GMC Sonoma has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 57 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (15 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2002 GMC 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.
Crash test ratings
2002 GMC Sonoma Extended Cab
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
2002 GMC Sonoma
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Sonoma 2WD (FFV) FFV
| City / highway | 19 / 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Sonoma 2WD (FFV) FFV
| City / highway | 17 / 23 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Sonoma 2WD
| City / highway | 15 / 20 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Sonoma 2WD
| City / highway | 14 / 20 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
Sonoma 4WD
| City / highway | 14 / 18 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
Sonoma 4WD
| City / highway | 12 / 16 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light | 15 | 34,500 mi |
| StructureBody › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments; Body › Door | 13 | 60,000 mi |
| Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Alternator/generator/regulator | 8 | 35,548 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingCooling system › Fan; Engine › Gasoline | 5 | 35,000 mi |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 49,500 mi |
| Exterior lightingTurn signal › Switch; Headlights | 5 | 27,340 mi |
| Latches/locks/linkagesTailgate › Latch; Doors › Latch | 5 | 58,705 mi |
| Power trainTransfer case (4-wheel drive); Clutch assembly | 4 | 24,000 mi |
| Fuel system, gasolineDelivery; Storage › Tank assembly | 3 | — |
| SteeringColumn | 2 | — |
| Service brakes, airAntilock › Abs warning light; Antilock | 2 | — |
| Parking brakeIndicator light; Conventional › Mechanical | 2 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Unknown 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.
- Structure › BodyCrash1 injury
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.
- Structure
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.
- Electrical 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
- Structure › Body
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.
- Service 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…
- Service 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.
- 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.