2000 GMC Sonoma Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS LOOSE AND FAILED TO CLOSE COMPLETELY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PLACED A PIN ON THE BUSHING AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED UNDERNEATH THE CAB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH, THE SPARE TIRE FELL FROM BELOW MY 2000 GMC SONOMA. AFTER STOPPING AND SAFELY GETTING OUT OF THE TRUCK, I DISCOVERED THAT THE CABLE HOLDING THE TIRE IN PLACE HAD BROKEN ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM THE TRUCK. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME AT THE TIME AS THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY BOUNCED AROUND AND ENDED UP IN ANOTHER LANE. I RETURNED THE TRUCK TO A GM DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. THE REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE HOIST AT A COST OF $287. IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

I HAD A NEAR DEATH ACCIDENTS (TWICE) DUE TO CATASTROPHIC BRAKE LINE FAILURE FROM SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINES THE FRONT LEFT AND THE INTERMEDIATE LINE FROM FRONT TO REAR SECTION ON TOP OF FRAME RAIL. FIRST INCIDENT WAS AT SPEED OF 45 MPH ON HIGHWAY WITH HARD STOP REQUIRED TO AVOID STOPPED TRAFFIC AHEAD. SECOND FAILURE WAS MORE INSIDIOUS WITH PROGRESSIVE BRAKE LINE RUST THROUGH/ LEAK SPOT TO REAR BRAKE LINES WITH FIN THROUGH AND FAILURE. THIS IS NOT COMPLICATED ... SIMPLY SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS FOR ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN A VEHICLE. IT SHOULD NOT MATTER WHAT CONDITIONS ARE (IE SALT, COLD, ETC; DESIGN AND MATERIALS SHOULD BE MANDATED FOR BRAKE LINES NOT TO RUST THROUGH. THERE ARE MATERIALS WHICH COULD BE USED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, PARTICULARLY FOR NORTHERN REGIONS WITH SALT ON ROADS. THE ENTIRE BRKE LINE SYSTEM IS ON THIS VEHILCLE (AND OTHERS) IS AN UNNECESSARY AND AVOIDABLE PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD. SURELY THERE HAVE BEEN DEATHS RESULTING FROM FAILURE, I WAS LUCKY AND HAD TO MANEUVER STRIGHT THROUGH BETWEEN 2 STOPPED VEHICLES AS I HAD NO OTHER OPTION WITH NO BRAKES. ALSO, ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE HANDLE OPERATED PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVERS , AS THE FOOT OPERATED ONE IN THIS VEHICLE WAS USELESS, BUT A PULL TYPE, HAND OPERATED BRAKE HANDLE WOULD HAVE BEEN READILY ACCESSIBLE AND LIKELY PREVENTED NEAR DEATH INCIDENT.

FOR THE THIRD TIME MY BRAKE LINE BROKE AND LOST ALL BRAKES IN MOTION LUCK FOR ME AND MY WIFE WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD GOING TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A SHOP FOR REPAIR AGAIN WHAT IS GOING ON WITH GMC QUALITY AND SAFETY.

THE TRUCKS BEEN HANDLING FINE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE OIL PAN BLOWS OUT ON THE TRUCK AND I THINK IT THREW A ROD. WHICH IS NOT MY FAULT A PIECE CAME APART OR CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE CAUSING ALL THAT PRESSURE TO BUILD UP AND MESS IT UP. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION NOT GOING OVER 60

PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS IN MY 2000 GMC SONOMA HAVE SEAT POSITIONING CONTROLS AND LOCKING MECHANISIMS THAT DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK PROPERLY AND/OR GET JAMMED UP AND HAVE BROKEN. A FRIEND WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE TO KEEP IT FROM SLIDING FORWARD. I ADJUSTED THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE TO HELP 'REALIGN' THE SEAT FRAME SO THAT THE MECHANISM THAT KEEPS THE SEAT FROM SIDING FRONT AND BACK WOULD KEEP THE SEAT LOCKED INTO POSITION ONCE THE SEATING DISTANCE IS SET. ALSO, THE RECLINING HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF, NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK SUPPORT ANGLE ADJUSTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK SUPPORT ADJUSTMENT LEVER OFTEN 'STICKS' OR 'LOCKS' INTO POSITION....NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK REST ADJUSTMENT. REAR DIFFERENTIAL SOMETIMES LOCKS UP AND OR SLIPS AND SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE...ESPECIALLY WHEN SIDEWAYS FORCE IS APPLIED...SUCH AS WHEN TURNING IN A CURVE OR CIRCULAR FASHION WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BROKE ON THE TRUCK. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BEARING HAD EXCESS WEAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 65 000 KM. DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER ARM GOT DISLODGED FROM THE SHAFT THAT TURNS IT AND WAS KNOCKED OUT OF POSITION ON 2 OCCASIONS. POWER STEERING FAILS FOR SHORT INTERMITTENT PERIODS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED FROM A 'COLD' AND 'WARM' STATE AND THE STEERING BECOMES STIFFER AND LESS RESPONSIVE. MOST NOTICABLE AT SLOWER VEHICLE SPEEDS.

OUR SON WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT ON 09/15/2013 WHERE HE WAS TRAVELING NORTH BOUND ON SOLDIERS HOME ROAD IN MORAINE OHIO. HIS TRUCK WENT OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHEN IT DID HE ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GAS AND NOT THE BRAKE. TRUCK THEN HIT AN ELECTRIC POLE AS IT PICKED UP SPEED BROKE A TIE ROD IN HALF. HE THEN LOST CONTROL AS IT FLEW ACROSS THE STREET STILL INCREASING SPEED. AT THAT TIME HE HIT 2 TREES AND A FIRE HYDRANT, THEN THE TRUCK SPUN AND THE REAR WRAPPED AROUND ANOTHER TREE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE. HE WAS KILLED ON IMPACT AND THE PASSENGER DID SURVIVE. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER DRIVER WHO WAS ALSO TRAVELING AT 65. CONSUMER STATED THAT NONE OF THE VEHICLES AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM

ON 19 JUNE 2013 I APPLIED THE BRAKES ON A DAMP/WET ROAD. BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP I EXPERIENCED A SORT OF HOPPING OF THE FRONT END WHILE GOING OVER A ROUGH SECTION OF ROADWAY. THIS SENSATION HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE AND I WAS TOLD IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ANTI-LOCKING BRAKE SYSTEM BUT NOTHING SPECIFIC. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55668.

THE TRUCKS BEEN HANDLING FINE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE OIL PAN BLOWS OUT ON THE TRUCK AND I THINK IT THREW A ROD. WHICH IS NOT MY FAULT A PIECE CAME APART OR CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE CAUSING ALL THAT PRESSURE TO BUILD UP AND MESS IT UP. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION NOT GOING OVER 60

OIL RETURN LINES FAIL PREMATURELY CAUSING OIL TO LEAK AT THE CRIMP SITES ON THE HOSES. LD RETURN LINES WERE REPLACED WITH NEW LINES ON 18 SEPTEMBER 2004 WITH NEW LINES GENERAL MOTORS PART NUMBERS 15194578 AND 15194579 PURCHASED ON 16 AND 17 SEPTEMBER 2004.*AK

LOWER TRANS COOLER LINE & TRANS FITTING BROKE.

CAR IS UNSAFE - WILL POP OUT OF GEAR OR AT TIMES WILL IDLE AND NOT MOVE FORWARD. *AK

PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS IN MY 2000 GMC SONOMA HAVE SEAT POSITIONING CONTROLS AND LOCKING MECHANISIMS THAT DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK PROPERLY AND/OR GET JAMMED UP AND HAVE BROKEN. A FRIEND WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE TO KEEP IT FROM SLIDING FORWARD. I ADJUSTED THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE TO HELP 'REALIGN' THE SEAT FRAME SO THAT THE MECHANISM THAT KEEPS THE SEAT FROM SIDING FRONT AND BACK WOULD KEEP THE SEAT LOCKED INTO POSITION ONCE THE SEATING DISTANCE IS SET. ALSO, THE RECLINING HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF, NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK SUPPORT ANGLE ADJUSTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK SUPPORT ADJUSTMENT LEVER OFTEN 'STICKS' OR 'LOCKS' INTO POSITION....NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK REST ADJUSTMENT. REAR DIFFERENTIAL SOMETIMES LOCKS UP AND OR SLIPS AND SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE...ESPECIALLY WHEN SIDEWAYS FORCE IS APPLIED...SUCH AS WHEN TURNING IN A CURVE OR CIRCULAR FASHION WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BROKE ON THE TRUCK. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BEARING HAD EXCESS WEAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 65 000 KM. DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER ARM GOT DISLODGED FROM THE SHAFT THAT TURNS IT AND WAS KNOCKED OUT OF POSITION ON 2 OCCASIONS. POWER STEERING FAILS FOR SHORT INTERMITTENT PERIODS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED FROM A 'COLD' AND 'WARM' STATE AND THE STEERING BECOMES STIFFER AND LESS RESPONSIVE. MOST NOTICABLE AT SLOWER VEHICLE SPEEDS.

WINDSHIELD WIPER DELAY IS DEFECTIVE. BIG OAK PONTIAC/GMC IN BARTOW, FL TRIED TO REPAIR AND CLAIMS TO HAVE REPLACED THE NECESSARY COMPONENT, BUT THE REPAIR WAS NEVER EFFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DELAY SOMETIMES WORKS, SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK AT ALL AND SOMETIMES WORKS BUT WITH ERRATIC TIME INTERVALS BETWEEN WIPES. THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT IS THE PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE AFTER THE SEAT HAS BEEN TILTED FORWARD.*AK *JB ***** DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/03 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****750084.

THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. IT IA PART OF A FUEL PUMP-GAS GAUGE ASSEMBLY LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK OF MY VEHICLE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR, AT ONE OF THEIR SHOPS IN WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA TOLD ME, IN THE FALL OF 2002, THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ITEM SO I NEED TO GET IT REPLACED FOR TWO REASONS. 1) IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND 2) THE FINDINGS ON PREVIOUSLY VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IS THAT THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE GAUGES IN THE GAS TANK SHOW EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL SCORCHING. BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AS 'COVERED UNDER WARRANTY'(TRUCK HAD 39000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF MY FIRST COMPLAINT) AND BECAUSE THEY WANTED SO MUCH MONEY($800) TO FIX IT, I DECIDED TO TAKE IT ELSEWHERE TO SEE IF THE REPAIR CAN BE DONE AT A MORE REASONABLE COST(TO ME). I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK TO OTHER REPAIR SHOPS SINCE, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME STORY...THE ELECTRIC WIRES ARE OVERHEATING , BURNING EXCESSIVELY AT THE SWITCH LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED SEVERAL TIMES TO CONTACT NHTSA AND FINALLY I HAVE. MY SERVICE ADVISOR AT FIRESTONE HAS TOLD M THAT THIS FUEL PUMP-GAS GAUGE ASSEMBLY FAILS ON ALL GMC TRUCKS THAT THEY SERVICE FOR THE STATED REASONS AND THAT I SHOULD COMPLAIN TO YOU FOLK OR CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT USING MY 'TRIP METER' AS M GAS GAUGE. SO HERE I AM....THANKS FOR HELPING ME AND /OR TRYING TO HELP ME. A RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER. TOM. *NM

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING IN 2002. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FUEL GAUGE AND FUEL PUMP NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE COMPONENTS, BASED ON OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM; THE WIRES COULD OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A FIRE IN THE GAS TANK. *JB UPDATED 02/07/06.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 GMC SONOMA PICKUP. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SPARE TIRE MOUNTING CABLE BROKE WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO CORROSION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH HIS MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000 . THE CONTACT HAD SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. UPDATED10/28/10 *BF UPDATED 11/01/10*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A COUNTRY ROAD WITH A BOAT TRAILER IN TOW, THE SPARE TIRE MOUNTING CABLE FRACTURED WHICH ALLOWED THE SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY TO FALL FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND ROLL INTO THE TRAILER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE SPARE TIRE DEBRIS WAS COLLECTED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE SPARE TIRE MOUNTING WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED, BUT DID NOT HAVE A HISTORY OF EXPOSURE TO HARSH WINTER WEATHER OR ROAD SALTS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE CORROSION CAUSED THE FAILURE AND A NEW MOUNTING CABLE WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 09/16/06. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 GMC SONOMA EQUIPPED WITH COOPER COBRA RADIAL G/T TIRES, SIZE: P255/60R15 (NA). WHILE INDEPENDENTLY PERFORMING ROUTINE SERVICE ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL THE TIRES DEVELOPED CRACKS ON THE INNER PART OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SIDEWALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRIES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,366.

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH, THE SPARE TIRE FELL FROM BELOW MY 2000 GMC SONOMA. AFTER STOPPING AND SAFELY GETTING OUT OF THE TRUCK, I DISCOVERED THAT THE CABLE HOLDING THE TIRE IN PLACE HAD BROKEN ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM THE TRUCK. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME AT THE TIME AS THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY BOUNCED AROUND AND ENDED UP IN ANOTHER LANE. I RETURNED THE TRUCK TO A GM DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. THE REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE HOIST AT A COST OF $287. IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

CONSUMER STATES IN THE WINTER TIME WITH A COAT ON, IT IS DIFFICULT TO FASTEN THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT, THE STEEL END OF THE BELT IS BENT TOO MUCH TOWARD THE DRIVERS HIP, REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO PUSH THE BELT TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE SO THE OTHER END OF THE BELT CAN BE INSERTED INTO THE BUCKLE, THE LOCAL DEALER REFUSED TO INSTALL A NEW BELT BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT WOULD BE IDENTICAL TO THE FACTORY ORIGINAL.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THEN ENGINE OIL DRAIN PLUG WAS DESIGNED TOO SMALL, IT HAS A HEXAGON HEAD. THE SOCKET OR WRENCH SLIPS ON THE PLUG HEAD AND DAMAGES THE PLUG. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PLUG REMOVED. UPDATED *JB

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30MPH, AND UPON MAKING A TURN ONTO A STREET VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. HE LOST STEERING, AND THREW VEHICLE IN PARK. VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY. CONSUMER'S HEAD WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT DIDN'T HOLD HIM AT ALL. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AGAIN. DURING BOTH INCIDENTS ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS IN MY 2000 GMC SONOMA HAVE SEAT POSITIONING CONTROLS AND LOCKING MECHANISIMS THAT DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK PROPERLY AND/OR GET JAMMED UP AND HAVE BROKEN. A FRIEND WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE TO KEEP IT FROM SLIDING FORWARD. I ADJUSTED THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE TO HELP 'REALIGN' THE SEAT FRAME SO THAT THE MECHANISM THAT KEEPS THE SEAT FROM SIDING FRONT AND BACK WOULD KEEP THE SEAT LOCKED INTO POSITION ONCE THE SEATING DISTANCE IS SET. ALSO, THE RECLINING HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF, NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK SUPPORT ANGLE ADJUSTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK SUPPORT ADJUSTMENT LEVER OFTEN 'STICKS' OR 'LOCKS' INTO POSITION....NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK REST ADJUSTMENT. REAR DIFFERENTIAL SOMETIMES LOCKS UP AND OR SLIPS AND SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE...ESPECIALLY WHEN SIDEWAYS FORCE IS APPLIED...SUCH AS WHEN TURNING IN A CURVE OR CIRCULAR FASHION WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BROKE ON THE TRUCK. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BEARING HAD EXCESS WEAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 65 000 KM. DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER ARM GOT DISLODGED FROM THE SHAFT THAT TURNS IT AND WAS KNOCKED OUT OF POSITION ON 2 OCCASIONS. POWER STEERING FAILS FOR SHORT INTERMITTENT PERIODS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED FROM A 'COLD' AND 'WARM' STATE AND THE STEERING BECOMES STIFFER AND LESS RESPONSIVE. MOST NOTICABLE AT SLOWER VEHICLE SPEEDS.

AFTER HEARING OF THE DODGE DURANGO BALL JOINT ISSUE (HTTP://WWW.CBSNEWS.COM/STORIES/2003/10/27/EVENINGNEWS/MAIN580233.SHTML) I DECIDED TO WRITE.*AK I HAVE A 2000 GMC SONOMA. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS WITH THE FRONT-END STEERING COMPONENTS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IDLER ARM THREE TIMES ALREADY. TWO OF THESE TIMES WERE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. ALSO, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE PORTIONS OF THE TIE-RODS TWICE, AS WELL AS BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUBS. I FIND THIS IS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE TALKED TO MY DEALER ABOUT THE SITUATION AND THEY TOLD ME, "IT'S JUST THE WAY TO FRONT-ENDS WERE DESIGNED." FORTUNATELY I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE FOR PARTS AND LABOR. UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN TERMS OF SAFETY. I TRAVEL QUITE A BIT WITH THIS VEHICLE, AS ONE CAN SEE BY THE MILEAGE. I WONDER IF OTHER SONOMA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. I ALSO WONDER IF GMC IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS IN MY 2000 GMC SONOMA HAVE SEAT POSITIONING CONTROLS AND LOCKING MECHANISIMS THAT DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK PROPERLY AND/OR GET JAMMED UP AND HAVE BROKEN. A FRIEND WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE TO KEEP IT FROM SLIDING FORWARD. I ADJUSTED THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE TO HELP 'REALIGN' THE SEAT FRAME SO THAT THE MECHANISM THAT KEEPS THE SEAT FROM SIDING FRONT AND BACK WOULD KEEP THE SEAT LOCKED INTO POSITION ONCE THE SEATING DISTANCE IS SET. ALSO, THE RECLINING HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF, NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK SUPPORT ANGLE ADJUSTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK SUPPORT ADJUSTMENT LEVER OFTEN 'STICKS' OR 'LOCKS' INTO POSITION....NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK REST ADJUSTMENT. REAR DIFFERENTIAL SOMETIMES LOCKS UP AND OR SLIPS AND SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE...ESPECIALLY WHEN SIDEWAYS FORCE IS APPLIED...SUCH AS WHEN TURNING IN A CURVE OR CIRCULAR FASHION WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BROKE ON THE TRUCK. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BEARING HAD EXCESS WEAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 65 000 KM. DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER ARM GOT DISLODGED FROM THE SHAFT THAT TURNS IT AND WAS KNOCKED OUT OF POSITION ON 2 OCCASIONS. POWER STEERING FAILS FOR SHORT INTERMITTENT PERIODS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED FROM A 'COLD' AND 'WARM' STATE AND THE STEERING BECOMES STIFFER AND LESS RESPONSIVE. MOST NOTICABLE AT SLOWER VEHICLE SPEEDS.

CONSUMER STATES OIL COOLER LINE WENT BAD AND ENGINE HAS A RATTLE WHEN IT IS COLD, ALSO THE ROCKER ARM MAKES A NOISE WHEN IT IS HOT. *YD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION SEAL WAS BAD. IT WAS REPLACED, BUT THERE IS STILL A BAD GROWL COMING FROM THE REAR END WHEN THE CONSUMER ACCELERATES. THE LEFT DOOR RATTLED, THE RIGHT UPPER DOOR HINGES BUSHINGS WERE BAD, THERE WAS NO GREASE ON THE FRONT BALL JOINTS, THE FRONT ACTUATOR MOTOR FOR THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WAS REPLACED. *JB

RADIO GOES ON AND OFF, WILL TURN ON BY ITSELF, AND SOMETIMES COULD SMELL LIKE A BURNING NOT KNOWING WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. ALSO, HEADLIGHTS WILL BLINK ON AND OFF. *AK INSIDE LIGHTS AND RADIO FLICKER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAT SOURCE WAS INOPERABLE. *YH

WHILE DRIVING, HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AFTER BEING TURNED ON. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO HAVE POOR VISIBILITY. BEEN IN CONTACTED WITH DEALERSHIP & FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE HEAD LIGHTS GO ON OUTOMATICALLY AT DUSK AND THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN IT OFF. WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILED, THE LIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH. POSSIBLY A CIRCUIT BREAKER KICKED OFF KILLING ALL LIGHTS IN VEHICLE. *YH

THE ACCELERATOR CABLE POPPED OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC,THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO IDLE AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO FIVE MILES AN HOUR. PEOPLE STARTED BLOWING THEIR HORN AT ME AS I ATTEMPTED TO FIND A SPOT TO PULL OUT OF THE TRAFFIC FLOW. THIS DID OCCUR AT A RELATIVELY SLOW 20-25 MILES PER HOUR, IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON AN ACCESS RAMP THE RESULTING SLOWDOWN WOULD MOST LIKELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED AND I WILL NOT PAY THE DEALER OR GENERAL MOTORS TO FIX WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW. *NM

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE GAS PEDAL HAS COME OFF THE PEDAL. EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND IT IS SCARY WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWS TO 10 MILES PER HOUR AS THE ENGINE DROPS TO IDLE. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED IT WAS DAYTIME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A GARAGE WHERE THE MECHANIC FIXED IT RIGHT AWAY, HE SAID THIS HAPPENS ENOUGH THAT HE KNEW HOW TO FIX IT EASILY. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AT NIGHT AND FIVE MILES FROM HOME, I WAS ABLE TO IDLE MY WAY HOME (FLATLAND) AND FIXED IT MYSELF IN THE MORNING. THIS TIME IT WAS IN THE MORNING AT THE END OF MY STREET AND I AGAIN WAS ABLE TO IDLE HOME AND FIX IT. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR ON THE INTERSTATE IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *JB

RADIO GOES ON AND OFF, WILL TURN ON BY ITSELF, AND SOMETIMES COULD SMELL LIKE A BURNING NOT KNOWING WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. ALSO, HEADLIGHTS WILL BLINK ON AND OFF. *AK INSIDE LIGHTS AND RADIO FLICKER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAT SOURCE WAS INOPERABLE. *YH