2003 GMC Sonoma Owner Complaints

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

NHTSA ID

11316940

Incident

Mar 9, 2020

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 PHONE AND STATED HE WAS THE STORE MANAGER. I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION, ERIC STATED HE WOULD HAVE DANIEL CALL ME BACK THE NEXT DAY. A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT CONVERSATION I CALLED BACK AND ASKED TO SPEAK WITH THE DISTRICT MANAGER, AGAIN I GOT ERIC ON THE PHONE WHO STATED THE DISTRICT MANAGER WAS ON VACATION AND HE WAS ACTING AS THE DISTRICT MANAGER IN HIS ABSENCE. I AGAIN ENDED MY CONVERSATION WITHOUT A RESOLUTION. I THEN CALLED AL MENDOZA WHO IS THE DISTRICT MANAGER. AL STATED HE WAS NOT ON VACATION AS ERIC STATED BUT DID TAKE "A FEW" DAYS OFF. I INFORMED HIM OF THE SITUATION AND HE STATED HIS EMPLOYEES DID NOTHING WRONG, HOWEVER HE WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND GET BACK TO ME. A FEW DAYS PASSED AND NOTHING. ON 6/20/18 O RECEIVED A CALL STATING MY TIRE AND RIM WERE READY TO BE PICKED UP. I WENT TO THE STORE AT APPROXIMATELY 5:53 TO GET MY TIRE PUT ON. I WAS CHARGED AN ADDITIONAL $96.53. WHEN MY TRUCK WAS READY I WAS CALLED OVER AND GIVEN THE KEYS. I LOOKED IN THE BED OF MY TRUCK AND NOTICED MY SPARE TIRE IN THE BED OF MY TRUCK. I ASKED THEM TO PLACE MY SPARE BACK UNDER THE BED IN ITS LOCATION SINCE THAT IS WHERE THEY GOT IT FROM. THE TIRE PERSON STATED HE DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO PUT THE TIRE BACK WHERE IT BELONGED. I INFORMED HIM THEY PUT IT ON MY TRUCK. JOB NOT DONE

NHTSA ID

11102919

Incident

May 23, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

10873984

Incident

Jun 7, 2016

Mileage

81,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10779311

Incident

Sep 30, 2015

Mileage

75,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10577113

Incident

Jun 1, 2013

Mileage

92,984 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10537777

Incident

Aug 28, 2013

Mileage

43,239 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10429873

Incident

Oct 1, 2011

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.

NHTSA ID

10397873

Incident

Jan 1, 2007

Mileage

50,000 mi

THERE ARE 4 LATCHES ON 2003 GMC SONOMA TRUCK AND THREE IMPACT PERSONAL SAFETY. TAILGATE DOES NOT AS PERSON DOES NOT RIDE IN TRUCK BED. THE PASSENGER DOOR LATCHES ARE METAL. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH IS PLASTIC AND BROKE AND HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE.BOTH TIME SAME DEFECT. IN EMERGENCY IF PERSON IN JUMP SEAT CAN'T GET OUT DUE TO DEFECTIVE DOOR LATCH. FOURTH LATCH IS SEAT RECLINES VIA LATCH. HANDLE HAS BROKE. IF SEAT RECLINES PERSON IN JUMP SEAT HAS TROUBLE EXITING VEHICLE. IF SEAT IS IN RECLINE PERSON CANNOT OPERATE VEHICLE SAFELY. LATCHES ARE PLASTIC. *TR

NHTSA ID

10369302

Incident

Oct 1, 2010

Mileage

89,000 mi

DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP I HEARD MY SPARE TIRE HIT THE GROUND WITH THE SUPPORT CABLE AND OTHER METAL PIECES. LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND FOUND THAT THE CABLE JUST SNAP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10353611

Incident

Aug 1, 2010

Mileage

135,000 mi

TAILGATE FELL OFF TRUCK WHILE BEING DRIVEN. SAFETY CABLES HAD RUST, METAL FATIGUE, AND BROKE ALLOWING TAILGATE TO COMPLETELY DETACH FROM VEHICLE. NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEOPLE INJURED. TAILGATE WAS RECOVERED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10344477

Incident

Jul 20, 2003

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SONOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM; TANK ASSEMBLY FILLER PIPE. THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE COST OF $1,959.00. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,348. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,352. UPDATED 11/17/09 *BF THE DEALER DISCOVERED ROAD SALT HAD EATEN AROUND THE FUEL MODULE. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS WARPED. UPDATED 11/1/8/09

NHTSA ID

10290112

Incident

Oct 5, 2009

Mileage

54,348 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SONOMA. IN JUNE OF 2004, THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS FAILING AND THE PAINT WAS DETERIORATING ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HIMSELF, BUT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE PART SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AND IS NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 5/14/09 *CN UPDATED 05/14/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10267138

Incident

Jun 1, 2004

Mileage

45,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED A NEW HAVAC CONTROL HEAD, THREE MODE ACTUATORS, AND THE STORAGE TANK AND SWITCH LINE NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED OUT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 12/17/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/18/08. *JB

NHTSA ID

10249432

Incident

Oct 24, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

SPARE TIRE HANGER CABLE BROKE DROPPING TIRE ON ROADWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10228959

Incident

May 26, 2008

Mileage

64,420 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE PA TURNPIKE THE DRIVESHAFT FELL OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK AND DENTED VARIOUS PARTS UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. AFTER HAVING THE DRIVESHAFT REPLACED A CLICK STILL OCCURRED WITH THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. THE MECHANIC BELIEVED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENTIRE BACK AXLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10193549

Incident

Jun 8, 2007

Mileage

72,995 mi

LT TRUCK 3RD DOOR LATCH ON GMC SONOMA (15760310) BREAKS AT TOP OF BRACKET, WITH LESS THAN 600 USES. I AM QUADRIPLEGIC AND COULD NOT ACCESS OR LOAD WHEELCHAIR DUE TO FAILURE, HAD TO FIND HELP AT OUTSIDE LOCATION AND RESIDENCE, BUT COULD RESULT IN HYPERTHERMIA OR HEAT STROKE IF OCCURRED IN REMOTE OR SECLUDED LOCATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10188494

Incident

Oct 12, 2006

Mileage

27,400 mi

THE 3RD DOOR LATCH ON CHEVROLET/GMC EXTENDED CABS IS SUBJECT TO FAILURE WITH FEWER THAN 1000 OPENINGS. I AM QUADRIPLEGIC AND STORE MY WHEEL CHAIR USING THE SPACE; AND HAVE HAD 2 FAILURES IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR. READING BLOCS IT HAS BEEN A CONTINUED REPORTED ISSUE. SINCE THERE IS ONLY THE ONE DOOR RELEASE, AND I HAVE BEEN STRANDED TWICE DUE TO THE FAILED PART LATCH ASSEMBLY A REDESIGN RECALL OR SECONDARY RELEASE BE ADDED AFTER BY MFG FOR ALL AFFECTED MODELS. PART NUMBER: 15760310. *AK THERE IS NO WARNING, THE PLASTIC NEEDS TO BE METAL, AND A SECONDARY RELEASE FOR EMERGENCY. PEOPLE CAN BE TRAPPED OR IN MY CASE CONFINED WITH NO WAY TO GET AWAY/OUT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10188037

Incident

Apr 13, 2007

Mileage

31,198 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LEFT DOOR HANDLE DETACHED AND MOVED FREELY WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS PREVENTED THE DOOR FROM BEING OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DOOR HANDLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED TWICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE, YET THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED.

NHTSA ID

10172915

Incident

Nov 6, 2006

Mileage

6,980 mi

IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT WATER HAS CONTAMINANTED THE OIL IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CAUSING A MECHANICAL FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH GMC IS AWARE THAT PROBLEM WITH A VENT TUBE LOCATION IS ONE SOURCE FOR WATER INFILTRATION. I HAVE A GMC DOCUMENT WITH SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR MECHANICS TO CHECK FOR THE IMPROPER VENT TUBE LOCATION IF WATER IS INDEED FOUND IN THE REAR AXLE FLUID. *JB

NHTSA ID

10154676

Incident

Apr 3, 2006

Mileage

50,700 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONTAL DAMAGE AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED BUT NO APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN MADE FOR INSPECTION. UPDATED 4/6/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAS BACK PAIN AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. *NM

NHTSA ID

10152892

Incident

Sep 23, 2005

Mileage

35,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT FRAME WILL SLIDE BACKWARD. HE BELIEVED THE LOCKING MECHANISM BROKE. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN DONE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10143836

Incident

Nov 1, 2005

Mileage

35,000 mi

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS SINCE 5000 MILES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 9-10 TIMES. THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. CONSUMER HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED, AND BELIEVED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE STILL BAD. ALSO, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING BOX. THIS WAS CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. WITH ANY WIND THE VEHICLE WAS BLOWN AROUND. THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DIDN'T WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID IT WOULD MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE, BUT IT WAS NOT STATED ON THE SERVICE REPAIR SHEET. AT ONE POINT LOCK TIGHT WAS PUT ON THE BOLTS TO KEEP THEM FROM COMING LOOSE.*AK THE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, THERE WAS A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10125412

Incident

Mar 22, 2004

Mileage

5,000 mi

DT: THE RAIL ON WHICH THE SEAT SLIDES HAS A SHARP EDGE. ON, MONDAY THE VEHICLES WIFE CUT HER LEG ON THIS SHARP EDGE. SHE HAD TO HAVE 15 STITCHES FOR THE CUT. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *JB *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10126329

Incident

Jun 20, 2005

Mileage

25,000 mi

MY 2003 GMC SONOMA JUST QUIT STARTING(STANDARD), SO I PUSHED IT TO GET IT HOME, I WENT TO A FRIENDS HOUSE THE NEXT DAY( IT STARTED), WHEN I GOT READY TO LEAVE THE TRUCK WOULDN'T START AGAIN AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, (MY WIFE HAD KEPT TELLING ME SHE SMELLED RUBBER BURNING) WELL THE WIRES UNDER THE DASH WERE ON FIRE!ALSO 2ND GEAR IN MANUAL TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN MARCH OR APRIL I THINK, THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE GM DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ID

10128249

Incident

Jul 10, 2005

Mileage

46,350 mi