2002 GMC Sonoma problems

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.

NHTSA complaint #11677357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10714391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #10714391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

NHTSA complaint #10680015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #10554858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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 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.

NHTSA complaint #10455210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #10453100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #10295769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10295769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

DOOR LATCH FOR MY EXTENDED CAB DOOR HAS BROKEN FOR THE 2ND TIME SINCE I'VE OWNED IT, WHICH IS 2004 AND THE LASY ONE LASTED ONLY 2 YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10275196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2002, BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. THE THIRD DOOR HANDLE HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES, TODAY IT BROKE AGAIN. IF SOMEONE WERE IN THE BACK OF THE CAB AND HAD TO GET OUT, THEY COULD NOT. THIS HANDLE IS PLASTIC AND BREAKS CONTINUOUSLY. THE CHEVY HOUSE INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE THIS PART IN STOCK ALL THE TIME BECAUSE IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. THEY REPLACED IT 4 TIMES WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY NOW, SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED AND MADE INTO A HEAVIER MATERIAL AND MADE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10244347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2002, BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. THE THIRD DOOR HANDLE HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES, TODAY IT BROKE AGAIN. IF SOMEONE WERE IN THE BACK OF THE CAB AND HAD TO GET OUT, THEY COULD NOT. THIS HANDLE IS PLASTIC AND BREAKS CONTINUOUSLY. THE CHEVY HOUSE INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE THIS PART IN STOCK ALL THE TIME BECAUSE IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. THEY REPLACED IT 4 TIMES WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY NOW, SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED AND MADE INTO A HEAVIER MATERIAL AND MADE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10244347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN

ON 1/25/06 I TOOK MY 2002 GMC SONOMA PICKUP TRUCK TO ALLEN GMC IN LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA TO HAVE THEM CHECK OUT A CLICKING NOISE I WAS HEARING IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY IN IT. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT (GMC P/N 26056116) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 244.90 PLUS 188.00 FOR LABOR. I HAD THE REPAIR DONE AND THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED FOR A WHILE BUT IN DECEMBER 2007 I NOTICED THAT THE SAME SYMPTOMS (CLICKING NOISE AS WELL AS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL) WERE BACK. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO ALLEN GMC WITH A COPY OF THE INVOICE (INV # GCCS358357)FOR THE ORIGINAL REPAIR. THE SERVICE WRITER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD RETURNED BUT SAID THAT THE REPAIR AND PARTS WERE OUT OF THE 12 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD. I TOLD HIM I WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR INABILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST AND WAS GIVEN THE PHONE NUMBER TO THEIR NATIONAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION LINE (800 GMC-TRUC). I CALLED THIS NUMBER ON 2/15/08 AND TOLD THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP (TERRI AT EXT 21714) ABOUT THE PROBLEM THAT I HAD FIXED AND THAT IT HAD RETURNED LESS THAN 2 YEARS LATER. SHE GAVE ME A FILE NUMBER OF 71-607365535 AND TOLD ME I WOULD HEAR BACK FROM HER IN A FEW DAYS. ON 2/18/08, TERRI CALLED BACK TO INFORM ME THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT ELAPSED SINCE THE REPAIR THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT GMC WOULD DO FOR ME. I EXPLAINED TO HER THAT IT IS UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT A CUSTOMER TO PAY NUMEROUS TIMES FOR A GMC PART THAT CLEARLY WAS POORLY DESIGNED. I TOLD HER THAT I FOUND SEVERAL INCIDENCES ON THE INTERNET OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME PART AND THAT GMC NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE PART THEY NEED TO FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE. SINCE THIS DEFECTIVE PART IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE STEERING SYSTEM, I THINK IT IS IS IMPERATIVE THAT GMC FIX IT AND NOT CAUSE THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN.

NHTSA complaint #10220734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SONOMA. THE HANDLE ON THE THIRD DOOR FAILED AFTER BEING REPLACED SEVEN TIMES. THE HANDLE IS PLASTIC AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN ONCE IT FAILS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10209316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

TL* - THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN HIS CLUTCH FAILED ON HIS 2002 GMC SONOMA. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE WET. THE CLUTCH STOPPED ENGAGING, THE ENGINE WAS REVVING BUT NONE OF THE GEARS WOULD ENGAGE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE TOW DRIVER SAID HE COULD SMELL THE CLUTCH BURNING. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE CLUTCH FLUID THE NEXT MORNING AND 3/4 OF IT WAS MISSING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A CLUTCH REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS SHOWN THE FLYHEEL THAT MELTED. THE FORD DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THE CLUTCH BURNED OUT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10177862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TONIGHT, A RAINY NIGHT IN TEXAS I HAD TO BRAKES SUDDENLY. FINALLY MY ABS BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY .THERE WAS NO HEAVY PULL TO THE LEFT SWERVING INTO THE NEXT LANE, AS IT DID FROM 2003-2005. THERE WAS PULSATION FROM THE BRAKING MECHANISM THAT I NEVER FELT BEFORE LIKE I TOLD IT SHOULD WORK. I DIDN'T HAVE TO FIGHT WITH THE WHEEL TO KEEP CONTROL. IT NEVER SWERVED LIKE NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE OUT OF THE OVER 100 TIMES MY ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED , THIS TIME FINALLY IT WORKED THE WAY ABS SHOULD WORK DURING A WET BUMPY ROAD. LAST YEAR AFTER MANY PHONE CALLS ABOUT MY MANY ISSUES,GM CORP AND THE DEALER FINALLY WAS WILLING TO CHECK OUT MY VEHICLE AGAIN WITH ABS BRAKES AND OTHER ISSUES. I DROVE MY VEHICLE AT MY COST FROM TEXAS TO GEORGIA. THE DEALER REPORTED MY VEHICLE'S ISSUES WERE REPAIRED. THE DRL ISSUE (TURNS OFF WHILE USING THE TURN SIGNAL, STUPID DEFECT THAT THEY HAVE IN THE MANUAL. AS IF IT NORMAL. I STILL DON'T KNOW ANY OTHER CAR THAT DOES THIS ) THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE BUT THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE IS GONE. WHEN I HAD THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IT AFFECTED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE OVER THE TIME I HAD THE TRUCK. I EVEN HAD MY RADIO REPLACED OVER NINE TIMES. MY LAST ISSUE WAS THE SYSTEM NOT RECOGNIZING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON AND DRIVING FROM GA TO TX AND BACK BEFORE IT WOULD GO OUT. I DROVE 2000 MILES. ....ABS BRAKES." WHAT EVER THE DEALER DID TO MY CAR TO REPAIR THE SWERVING ISSUES. THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE MALFUNCTIONING ABS BRAKES ON THE SONOMA VEHICLE. THERE IS A DEFECT AND IT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED. MINE WAS FIXED AFTER 3 YEARS. THESE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS UNTIL REPAIRED. I HAVE AVOIDED MANY ACCIDENTS BY BEING VERY CAREFUL ; OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE DRIVING. HAVE GM FIX THOSE FAULTY ABS BRAKES. PLEASE NOTE YOU CAN FIND MY MANY COMPLAINTS UNDER GMC SONOMA 2002.

NHTSA complaint #10174751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

I OWN A 2002 GMC SONOMA PICK-UP. I HAD THE CABLES ON THE TAILGATE BREAK WHEN CLIMBING INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. I HAVE FOUND ARTICLES ON THIS SUBJECT ON THE INTERNET FROM NEWS AGENCIES THAT SAY GMC WOULD BE SENDING OUT A LETTER TO OWNERS OF THE GMC SONOMA'S AND S10 THAT WOULD WARN OF THE PROBLEM AND OFFER AN INSPECTION OF THE CABLES AND REPLACEMENT OF THE CABLES. I NEVER RECEIVED THE LETTER AND THE DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10164921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ON MY 2002 GMC SONOMA TRUCK THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE PAD WAS WORN OFF AND THE ROTOR SEVERELY SCORED AND RUINED BY 14,000 MILES, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE GMC DEALER DECLARED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MEAN WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE PAD WAS LARGELY INTACT AND THE ROTOR PERFECT. ALSO THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED TO STOP TRUCK PROMPTLY OR SMOOTHLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10161955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

ON MY 2002 GMC SONOMA TRUCK THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE PAD WAS WORN OFF AND THE ROTOR SEVERELY SCORED AND RUINED BY 14,000 MILES, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE GMC DEALER DECLARED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MEAN WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE PAD WAS LARGELY INTACT AND THE ROTOR PERFECT. ALSO THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED TO STOP TRUCK PROMPTLY OR SMOOTHLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10161955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10160747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V139000, REGARDING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH; HOWEVER THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 6/23/2006 -

NHTSA complaint #10156786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STANDING ON THE TAILGATE, BOTH CABLES FRACTURED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V066000, REGARDING THE TAILGATE CABLE; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA complaint #10156700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

ON 30 OCT. 05, I WAS PREPARING TO LOAD A MOTORCYCLE ON THE BACK OF MY GMC SONOMA. AFTER OPENING-UP THE TAILGATE ON MY GMC SONOMA, I PROCEEDED TO STEP ON THE TAILGATE. BOTH TAILGATE CABLES SNAPPED CAUSING THE TAILGATE TO SLAM DOWN ON THE BUMPER CAUSING ME TO FALL TO THE GROUND. I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT WAS THANKFUL THAT IT BROKE BEFORE AND NOT DURING THE LOADING OF THE TRUCK. BOTH CABLES SNAPPED EXACTLY IN THE SAME SPOT. CABLES SHOWED SIGNS OF CORROSION INSIDE THE CABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10148129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.