Model year record
The 2003 GMC Sonoma has 1 safety recall and 39 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (7 complaints).
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.
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
| 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.
| 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
| 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
| City / highway | 15 / 21 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
| City / highway | 15 / 22 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
| 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
| City / highway | 12 / 17 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.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power trainDriveline › Differential unit; Manual transmission › Floor shift assembly | 7 | 50,700 mi |
| StructureFrame and members › Underbody shields; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments | 6 | 30,000 mi |
| Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch | 5 | 29,299 mi |
| Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap; Delivery › Fuel pump | 4 | 54,348 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 4 | 25,000 mi |
| EquipmentOther › Labels | 4 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system | 3 | 50,000 mi |
| SeatsFront assembly › Recliner | 3 | — |
| TiresTemporary/emergency spare tire | 3 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | — |
| Parking brakeConventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable | 2 | — |
| SuspensionFront › Control arm › Upper ball joint | 2 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
THE VEHICLE IS KEPT IN A GARAGE AND WHEN OUTSIDE I USE A SCREEN PROTECTOR. THE DASH AND MANY OTHER INTERIOR PARTS OF THE CAR ARE SIMPLY FALLING APART
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AMREICAN TIRE DEPOT ON 5/23/18. I HAD TWO FLAT TIRES AND A BENT RIM, I EXPLAINED WHAT I NEEDED AND THEY CONFIRMED. DANIEL WHO ASSISTED ME INFORMED ME HE HAD TO SELL ME FOUR TIMES BECAUSE MY TIRES WERE WORN. I SAID THAT WAS FINE ALTHOUGH MY TIRES WERE NOT THAT BAD. I WAS CHARGED $419.80 AND TOLD TO RETURN IN A FEW DAYS TO GET THE RIM AND FOURTH TIRE, MEAN WHILE THEY WOULD PUT THE SPARE ON SO I COULD DRIVE MY TRUCK. I AGREED APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER I CALLED AND SPOKE TO DANIEL, WHO STATED HE WOULD CALL ME BACK. I WAITED A FEW DAYS WITH NO CALL BACK. I AGAIN CALLED AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO DANIEL HOWEVER HE WAS NOT IN. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE MANAGER AND ERIC GOT ON THE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SONOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK THE BRAKES FAILED, PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. TOOK THE TRUCK TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS ATTACHED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SHOP COULD NOT REPAIR THE CAR, AND KNEW NO ONE LOCALLY WHO COULD REPAIR THE CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS RUST ISSUES WITH THE TRUCK OVER THE YEARS AS FOLLOWS: SPARE TIRE MOUNTING RUSTED THROUGH AND THE SPARE TIRE FLEW OFF THE TRUCK IN TRAFFIC; THE FUEL LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE DUE TO RUST; AND THE REAR BRAKES RUSTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HE DROVE 73 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALERSHIP FOR ADDITIONAL INSPECTION THAT ADVISED THAT THE SPARK PLUG AND THE FUEL CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SPARK PLUG AND FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,984. UPDATED 07/28/14 MA UPDATED 07/29/14
ABOUT A YEAR AGO HAD ONE STEEL BRAKE LINBE BUST BECAUSE OF RUSTED. NOW TODAY IN MY YARD HIT BRAKE PEDAL RIGHT TO FLOOR AGAIN. RUSTED BRAKE LINE AGAIN. HAVE OTHER BRAKE LINES RUSTED VERY BAD. *TT
2003 GMC SONOMA. CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE SUPPORT CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE RUSTED THROUGH AND THE TIRE FELL OFF, ROLLED DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT ANOTHER CAR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED NO DAMAGE WAS DONE AND THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *JB
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP OPERATING UNEXPECTEDLY. THEY WILL THEN BEGIN OPERATING AGAIN AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR PERIOD OF TIME. RECENTLY IN EARLY APRIL 2011 AT ABOUT 91,000 MILES. THEY STOPPED WORKING SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE TRUCK BEFORE LEAVING THE PARKING LOT.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.