FaultScore

GMC Sonoma engine problems

134 of the 1,739 complaints filed about the GMC Sonoma are about the engine — 8% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.

134

Complaints

8%

Share of all complaints

0

Crashes

5

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

1991 Sonoma 4 3.0%

Median failure at 99,743 miles

1992 Sonoma 2 1.5%
1993 Sonoma 8 6.0%
1994 Sonoma 20 14.9%
1995 Sonoma 30 22.4%
1996 Sonoma 21 15.7%

Median failure at 89,000 miles

1997 Sonoma 11 8.2%

Median failure at 51,501 miles

1998 Sonoma 11 8.2%

Median failure at 101,500 miles

1999 Sonoma 4 3.0%

Median failure at 30,400 miles

2000 Sonoma 8 6.0%

Median failure at 66,000 miles

2001 Sonoma 8 6.0%

Median failure at 48,724 miles

2002 Sonoma 5 3.7%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

2003 Sonoma 2 1.5%

Median failure at 48,992 miles

What owners said

2000 GMC Sonoma England, AR

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10824115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 GMC Sonoma at 60,985 miles Indianapols, IN

ENGINE

APPROX ONE MILE FROM HOME AS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. AFTER A FEW SECONDS MANAGED TO RESTART ENGINE. ENGINE SHUT DOWN TWICE MORE BEFORE ARRIVING BACK HOME. AT HOME WAS UNABLE TO RESTART ENGINE HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO GMC/BUICK DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT PROBLEM WAS DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AT A COST OF $600.23, I WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS NOT ON CURRENT RECALL LIST. IF NOT, WHY NOT. THANK GOD I WAS NOT ON INTERSTATE WITH A 16 WHEELER BEHIND ME. I CONTACTED GMC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR ABOVE COST. REQUEST DENIED BECAUSE VEHICLE NOT ON RECALL LIST. I ALSO HAVE A 2004 CADILLAC WHICH IS ON RECALL LIST FOR IGNITION SWITCH NEVER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER UNTIL I COMPLAINED AT ABOVE CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY DID SEND ME RECALL LETTER CONCERNING CADILLAC. UNABLE TO HAVE SWITCH REPAIRED BECAUSE CADILLAC DEALER CANNOT GET PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10626728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 GMC Sonoma at 92,984 miles Hastings, MN

ENGINE

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 complaint #10577113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 GMC Sonoma at 78,000 miles Germantown, OH

ENGINE

MY TRUCK RADIATOR STARTED TO SMELL AS IF IT HAD A LEAK. I TOOK IT TO A RADIATOR SHOP. THIS SHOP HAPPENS TO BE VERY CLOSE TO THE GM PLANT IN DAYTON, OHIO. THE MAN TOOK ONE LOOK AT THE TRUCK. HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT ALL THE RADIATORS FOR THIS TRUCK FROM THE 2001 YEARS WERE SENT TO HIM PRIOR TO INSTALLING. HE SAID THEY HAD BEEN LEFT OUTSIDE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND ALL OF THEM HAD TO BE CLEANED OUT BECAUSE OF HEAVY RUST. HE STATED MINE MUST OF BEEN MISSED. THE RUST IN THE RADIATOR WAS SO THICK IT WAS LIKE MUD! HE REPLACED THE RADIATOR, HOSES AND EVEN HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR FLUID RESERVOIR BECAUSE IT LITERALLY HAD INCHES OF RUST IN IT. THIS IS SOMETHING THE COMPANY KNEW ABOUT AND I SHOULD NOT OF HAD TO REPLACE IT. THE NEXT THING TO HAPPEN IS TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE TRUCK IS MAKING A WHINING NOISE - SOUNDS LIKE SOME TIRES DO. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL PLACES TO REPAIR AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE SOUND. WE HAVE REPLACED SO MANY PARTS, MANY OF THEM MORE THAN ONCE IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE PUT OVER $3000 OF WORK IN THE TRUCK JUST OVER THE LAST MONTH AND AM NOT YET FINISHED. THE BRACKETS HOLDING THE REAR SUSPENSION IN PLACE ARE CRUMBLING IN MY HAND. THE MUFFLER IS LEAKING. IT IS STALLING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AND IS IDLING VERY FAST EVEN THO IT HAS HAD REGULAR TUNE UPS AND MAINTENANCE. THE TAILGATE IS BROKEN - YOU CAN JUST PULL IT OFF THE TRUCK. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE WHINING CONTINUES WHENEVER IT IS BEING DRIVEN. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO COMPANIES BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE QUALITY OF THE VEHICLE! GOD KNOWS MOST OF US CANT BUY A NEW ONE AT $35,000+ TO.

NHTSA complaint #10524047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 GMC Sonoma at 114,000 miles Cedar Ridge, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I WAS DRIVING MY HUSBANDS 2001 GMC SONOMA FROM OHIO BACK TO FLORIDA WHEN THE DRIVESHAFT SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK AND MUFFLER. THIS EVENT LED TO US HAVING TO REPLACE THE REAR DRIVESHAFT, FUEL TANK, AND HE REPAIRED THE MUFFLER. WE RESEARCHED GMC DRIVESHAFT FAILURES ON LINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DRIVESHAFT BREAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10291037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 GMC Sonoma at 179,500 miles Smithville, WV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE NOT HAD ANY WRECKS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, YET. MY TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK PROPERLY ONE OF MY LOW BEEN HEADLIGHTS KEEPS BLOWING AND MY TAILLIGHTS DON'T WORK. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS JUST FOR THEM TO BLOW WHEN I TEST THEM. AND NO I DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS ON THE HEADLIGHTS. I SEEN THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LIGHTING SYSTEM AND ON THE WIRING SYSTEM, COULD THIS BE MY PROBLEM?

NHTSA complaint #10283041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 GMC Sonoma at 26,000 miles Glasgow, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL DIFFERENT CHEVY/GMC VEHICLES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING A LAGGING START AND IN SOME CASES NO START WITHOUT A BOOST. MY SONOMA HAS THE LAG AND I HAVE A FEW FRIENDS THAT HAVE BLAZERS AND FULL SIZE TRUCKS AS WELL. THE VARIATION OF ENGINE SIZES THAT ARE AFFECTED HAS ME PERPLEXED. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RUN CODES WITH NO FAULT RESULTS. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I ATTEMPT A STARTUP.

NHTSA complaint #10253811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 GMC Sonoma at 52,449 miles Pine River, MN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

2001 GMC SONOMA SLS. STARTED IN MAY 2006 WITH 52,449 MILES ON VEHICLE: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER IDENTIFIED BAD O2 SENSOR AND REPLACED ($253). TWO WEEKS LATER AT 53,131, SES LIGHT AGAIN. DEALER INSTALLED NEW CHECK VALVE ($116). 3-4 WEEKS LATER AT 53,892, SES LIGHT AGAIN. DEALER SAID WATER IN AIR PUMP, REPLACED AIR PUMP AND HOSE ($357). NOW ON 26 AUG (54,084) SES LIGHT JUST CAME ON AGAIN. IN 60 DAYS, THE LIGHT HAS BEEN CLEARED & RESET 3 TIMES WITH OVER $700 IN REPAIRS AND NOW ANOTHER TROUBLE.

NHTSA complaint #10166633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 GMC Sonoma at 100,000 miles Commerce City, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NOT SURE IF BELT BROKE FIRST OR FAN BLADE THE BLADE BROKE OFF AND FLEW INSIDE OF TRUCK CAUSING DAMAGE TO PARTS UNDER THE HOOD IT WAS 1000.00 TO FIX ALL THE PARTS BROKEN BY THIS. I HAVE ALL THE OLD PARTS. THE BELT WAS OK BUT SOMETHING CAUSED THE BLADE TO BRAKE OFF AND THERE ARE NOTICEABLE CRACKS IN THE BLADE AROUND THE NUT. BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE I HAD TO REPLACE A LOT OF COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA complaint #10157484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 GMC Sonoma at 49,300 miles Atlanta, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WAS TOLD AIR INJECTOR VALVE OPER/SOLENOID REPLACE. DROVE 800 MILES, TOOK EMISSIONS TEST FAILED. SHOWED NO CODES. WAS TOLD BY TECH TO TRY DRIVING 100 MILES. OR TAKE TO DEALER, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP CHARGED DIAGNOSTIC FEE. WAS TOLD BY THEM TO DRIVE 100 MILES. DROVE 150 RETURNED NEXT DAY. STILL THE CODES ARE NOT SHOWING. WANT ME TO DRIVE ANOTHER 150 MILES. TWO CODES ARE NOT SHOWING. TOOK BACK TO EMISSIONS PROVIDER, THEY SHOWED ME IT WAS THE 02 SENSOR AND LAST TEST ON THE OBD COMPUTER. I DON'T REMEMBER THE NAME. ALSO PLEASE NOTE MY RADIO FROZE AGAIN PLAYING ON 1 STATION AND SHOWING ANOTHER. SHOWED IT TO TECH TODAY. AND ALSO MY BRAKES STILL GIVING SAME PROBLEM. ABS BRAKES STILL PULLING VEHICLE. BOUGHT NEW TIRES TO HELP WITH THE TRACTION. BUT PROBLEM STILL SAME. FUEL WAS ABOUT 12 MILES PER GAL. HOW MANY MILES DO I HAVE TO DRIVE IN ORDER FOR THE COMPUTER ON THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND. I'VE DRIVEN OVER 1000 (ONE THOUSAND) SINCE FRIDAY 10-21-05. WHAT A LEMON! I WILL BE RETURNING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP (CHEV) TOMORROW AFTER DRIVING 150 MILES. MY DAYTIME LIGHT STILL GOES OUT WHEN USING TURN SIGNALS.

NHTSA complaint #10140886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 GMC Sonoma at 46,637 miles Caldwell, KS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

1998 GMC SONOMA ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR A STRANGE SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY MAINTENANCED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO COMPENSATED FOR A PORTION OF THE DAMAGES.

NHTSA complaint #10134501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 GMC Sonoma at 101,500 miles Goreville, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

DT: THE CALLER SAID THE LINER OF THE EXHAUST PIPE BROKE OFF AND CLOGGED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CAUSING AIR FLOW TO BE BLOCKED AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED AT ANY SPEED, BUT MOSTLY WHEN GOING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TAKING OFF. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER ON JULY 24, 2005 FOR INSPECTION, AND DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. THEY WILL HAVE THE PARTS IN SEPTEMBER. SHE COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THEN. THE CALLER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF STALLING. SHE TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER ON JULY 26, 2005. THEY SAID IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE IT UNTIL THE CALLER TOLD MANUFACTURER HOW UNSAFE IT WAS TO DRIVE. THEN, MANUFACTURER TOLD HER NOT TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10132286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 GMC Sonoma at 5,000 miles Willoughby, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10125412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 GMC Sonoma at 13,382 miles Vero Beach, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER 14,000 MILES. THE BRAKES BEGAN MAKING A SCRAPING NOISE. THE SERVICE DEALER SAID THE FRONT BRAKES WERE HEAVILY CORRODED, THEY WERE REPLACED. *AK THE RADIATOR CAP WAS LEAKING. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10122105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 GMC Sonoma at 54,000 miles Rochester, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WE HAVE A 1997 GMC SONOMA WITH A VOTREC 4.3 X. OVER 2 YEARS AGO, WE STARTED GETTING MISFIRES. WE TRIED EVERYTHING WE COULD THINK OF, TO NO AVAIL. IN THE PAST MONTH I'VE PUT OVER $500 ALONE. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING IT UP ON-LINE, AND HAVE REALIZED, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. THERE HAS EVEN BEEN A RECALL IN CALIFORNIA, BUT ONLY THERE. GM TOLD ME THEY HAVE DIFFERENT GAS OUT THERE. ANOTHER MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE HAS BEEN THE WIPER MOTOR FAILURE, THAT HAD A RECALL. GM TOLD ME MY VIN # WAS NOT ON THE LIST, BUT I BATTLE MY WIPERS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. I HAVE TO YANK THE BLADES HALF WAY UP THE WINDOW BEFORE THEY GRAB AND START TO WORK. ONE MORE PROBLEM THAT I NOW KNOW I AM NOT ALONE ON IS THE ISSUE WITH DEX-COOL. WE HAVE FLUSHED AND REFILLED THE SYSTEM AT LEAST THREE TIMES, ONLY TO HAVE IT GUNK-UP AGAIN. PLEASE HELP ME AND ALL THE OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO GOT TRAPPED WITH JUNK VEHICLES. WE HAVE HAD TOO MANY OTHER FAILURES TO COUNT!

NHTSA complaint #10116406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 GMC Sonoma at 54,000 miles Rochester, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WE HAVE A 1997 GMC SONOMA WITH A VOTREC 4.3 X. OVER 2 YEARS AGO, WE STARTED GETTING MISFIRES. WE TRIED EVERYTHING WE COULD THINK OF, TO NO AVAIL. IN THE PAST MONTH I'VE PUT OVER $500 ALONE. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING IT UP ON-LINE, AND HAVE REALIZED, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. THERE HAS EVEN BEEN A RECALL IN CALIFORNIA, BUT ONLY THERE. GM TOLD ME THEY HAVE DIFFERENT GAS OUT THERE. ANOTHER MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE HAS BEEN THE WIPER MOTOR FAILURE, THAT HAD A RECALL. GM TOLD ME MY VIN # WAS NOT ON THE LIST, BUT I BATTLE MY WIPERS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. I HAVE TO YANK THE BLADES HALF WAY UP THE WINDOW BEFORE THEY GRAB AND START TO WORK. ONE MORE PROBLEM THAT I NOW KNOW I AM NOT ALONE ON IS THE ISSUE WITH DEX-COOL. WE HAVE FLUSHED AND REFILLED THE SYSTEM AT LEAST THREE TIMES, ONLY TO HAVE IT GUNK-UP AGAIN. PLEASE HELP ME AND ALL THE OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO GOT TRAPPED WITH JUNK VEHICLES. WE HAVE HAD TOO MANY OTHER FAILURES TO COUNT!

NHTSA complaint #10116406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 GMC Sonoma at 66,000 miles Covington, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10102631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 GMC Sonoma at 104,000 miles Yakima, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

ENGINE WOULD CONSTANTLY OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE THERMOSTAT, AND PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10103158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 GMC Sonoma at 35,000 miles Layton, UT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

IN DEC. OF 2003 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO WE TOOK IT IN ONLY TO FIND WE HAD OIL IN OUR RADIATOR. AT A COST OF $800.00 WE HAD IT REPAIRED. WELL IN SEPT. OF 2004 WE SAW SOMETHING LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE, AND AGAIN WE HAVE OIL IN OUR RADIATOR.

NHTSA complaint #10090723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 GMC Sonoma at 35,000 miles Layton, UT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

IN DEC. OF 2003 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO WE TOOK IT IN ONLY TO FIND WE HAD OIL IN OUR RADIATOR. AT A COST OF $800.00 WE HAD IT REPAIRED. WELL IN SEPT. OF 2004 WE SAW SOMETHING LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE, AND AGAIN WE HAVE OIL IN OUR RADIATOR.

NHTSA complaint #10090723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other GMC Sonoma problems