Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 57 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 GMC Sonoma, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and interior & seats categories. 368 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 1 |
| Aug 2002 | 1 | 2 |
| Sep 2002 | 1 | 3 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 4 |
| Jan 2003 | 1 | 5 |
| Mar 2003 | 4 | 9 |
| Apr 2003 | 1 | 10 |
| May 2003 | 2 | 12 |
| Sep 2003 | 1 | 13 |
| Mar 2004 | 2 | 15 |
| May 2004 | 3 | 18 |
| Jul 2004 | 1 | 19 |
| Sep 2004 | 1 | 20 |
| Oct 2004 | 2 | 22 |
| Nov 2004 | 2 | 24 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 25 |
| Mar 2005 | 1 | 26 |
| May 2005 | 2 | 28 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 29 |
| Aug 2005 | 2 | 31 |
| Sep 2005 | 1 | 32 |
| Oct 2005 | 1 | 33 |
| Nov 2005 | 1 | 34 |
| Dec 2005 | 1 | 35 |
| Jan 2006 | 2 | 37 |
| May 2006 | 2 | 39 |
| Jun 2006 | 1 | 40 |
| Jul 2006 | 1 | 41 |
| Aug 2006 | 1 | 42 |
| Nov 2006 | 1 | 43 |
| Jan 2007 | 1 | 44 |
| Nov 2007 | 1 | 45 |
| Mar 2008 | 1 | 46 |
| Aug 2008 | 1 | 47 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 48 |
| Jun 2009 | 1 | 49 |
| Dec 2009 | 1 | 50 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 51 |
| Apr 2012 | 1 | 52 |
| Dec 2013 | 1 | 53 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 54 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 55 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 56 |
| Jul 2025 | 1 | 57 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 BEEN GENERATED. THIS CODE, I WAS TOLD, INDICATES FAILURE OF THE EBCM (ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE) OF THE ABS SYSTEM. APPARENTLY, THIS PROBLEM IS WELL-KNOWN TO GM AND IT HAS ISSUED SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALLS. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC COULD NOT REPLACE THE EBCM AS LACKED THE PROPRIETARY GM SOFTWARE NEEDED TO PROGRAM IT. GM DEALERSHIP MECHANIC--WHILE CONFIRMING GENERATION OF THE C0265 TROUBLE CODE--REFUSED TO REPLACE THE EBCM INSTEAD SAYING I SHOULD "JUST DRIVE IT AROUND AND SEE IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN." THIS SEEMED A VERY DISMISSIVE APPROACH BY GM TO A KNOWN PROBLEM ON CERTAIN OF THEIR ABS VEHICLES AS THE FIRST BRAKE FAILURE ON 3/20/2012 ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. NOT ANXIOUS TO FIND OUT WHAT THE SECOND FAILURE THE GM DEALER WANTS ME TO "WAIT FOR" WOULD RESULT IN. *TR
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.
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
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
POWER TRAIN
GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 2003 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 39.9 |
| 2002Viewing | 57 | 0 | 0 | 34.3 |
| 2001 | 89 | 1 | 1 | 47.5 |
| 2000 | 136 | 4 | 1 | 58.0 |
| 1999 | 57 | 1 | 0 | 43.8 |
| 1998 | 156 | 4 | 0 | 49.4 |
| 1997 | 111 | 3 | 2 | 59.3 |
| 1996 | 148 | 9 | 0 | 56.8 |
| 1995 | 213 | 7 | 2 | 62.6 |
| 1994 | 224 | 6 | 1 | 59.1 |
| 1993 | 58 | 4 | 1 | 61.5 |
| 1992 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 58.5 |
| 1991 | 29 | 2 | 1 | 58.1 |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.