62 of the 1,739 complaints filed about the GMC Sonoma are about the fuel system — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.
62
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAN NOT LOCATE FUEL LINES FOR GMC. WHEN I TRY TO FIND THE FUEL LINES IT IS MARKED THAT THEY ARE UN-AVAILABLE.LINES HAVE RUSTED OUT AND LEAK.HAD NEW FUEL PUMP INSTALLED WHEN THIS WAS NOTICED.
NHTSA complaint #10846068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 complaint #10779311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY 1999 GMC SONOMA HAS HAD A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IT WAS TAKEN INTO JIM CAUSLEY'S PONTIAC/GMC IN CLINTON TOWNSHIP MI ONCE FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED. SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A BAD VEHICLE GROUND. PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS TO THIS DAY. THE ONLY WAY I CAN AVOID RUNNING OUT OF GAS IS TO RESET THE TRIP ODOMETER EVERY TIME I FILL-UP.
NHTSA complaint #10398309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
VEHICLE THROTTLE STICKS AT 1500RPM AND WILL STICK ABOVE 1500RPM IF DOWNSHIFTED OR INCREASING SPEED. THE ONLY WAY TO LOWER THE RPM TO IDLE IS SHIFT TO NEUTRAL A N D COME TO A COMPLETE STOP -- FIRMLY HOLDING BRAKE TO MAXIMUM DEPRESSION AND THEN ONLY AFTER A FEW SECOND DELAY. UPON ENTERING ANY GEAR [AUTOMATIC XMSN] THE RPM WILL AGAIN GO TO 1500, BUT IF BRAKE PEDAL REMAINS DEPRESSED FOR ABOUT 10SEC THE RPM WILL GO BACK TO IDLE. ANY SLICK ROADS OR MOUNTAIN/STEEP DOWNHILL DRIVING IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS! CHECK ENGINE STAYS ON AND COMPUTER READING CALLS FOR REPLACEMENT OF A SENSOR WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE DIRECTIONS SAY TO LET THE NEW SENSOR "BREAK IN" BY IDLING FOR 20 MINUTES MINIMUM PRIOR TO DRIVING. IT DOES NOT WORK! THIS IS A FAULTY DESIGN WHEREIN A SENSOR OR COMPONENT MALFUNCTION RESULTS IN THROTTLE BOOST BEYOND OPERATOR CONTROL AND IS OFTEN AT RPM'S ABOVE 2500 !!! THE MALFUNCTION IS PERMANENT AND THE INCIDENT OCCURS EVERY DAY THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN !!!
NHTSA complaint #10374650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I94 WHEN MY TRUCK SUDDENLY BOUNCED UP JUMPING AND COMING BACK DOWN ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP. AS I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR I SAW MY SPARE TIRE BOUNCING OFF INTO A NEARBY FIELD. THE SPARE WAS HELD UNDER THE TRUCK BED BY A STEEL CABLE WHICH LATER I FOUND BROKE. THE TIRE HAD JAMMED UNDER THE TRUCK BED RUPTURING THE STEEL GASOLINE FILLER TUBE. I EXPLORED THE RUPTURE CLOSED AND HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE RETAINING ASSEMBLY UNDER THE TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10361499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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 complaint #10290112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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 complaint #10290112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL LINE LEAKING .
NHTSA complaint #10187693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
NHTSA complaint #10147699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10147701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1998 GMC SONOMA PICK UP WITH 4 CYLINDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE FUEL LINE MOUNTING BRACKET LOCATED ON THE BELL HOUSING RUBBED A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE ALLOWING GASOLINE TO DRIP ON THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE. IT TOOK THREE DEALERS AND A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO FIND THE LEAK. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND REFUSED TO REPAIR OR ASSIST IN REPAIR WITH ESTIMATED COST OF $400-$600. THIS LEAK PRESENTED AN EXTREME FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD. I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF A GAS LINE RUBBING THROUGH ON ANY VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WAY THIS IS ANYTHING BUT A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10146798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH BALKING, STALLING OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT OF PARTS. THE PROBLEM IS STILL WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE COMPUTER REPLACED, THE FUEL RELAY PUMP, WIRES REPLACED, FUEL FILTER, BUT I AM STILL HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT IS INTERMITTENT, WHICH MAKES IT MORE SCARY.
NHTSA complaint #10139194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL SENDING IN THE GAS TANK DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT DOES NOT SHOW THE PROPER LEVEL OF GASOLINE IN THE GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY SAID THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO SEE IF THEY COULD DO ANYTHING FOR THE CONSUMER SINCE THE MILEAGE WAS OUT ON THE WARRANTY AND THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE COST. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2003. *AK (11/17/05) THE VEHICLE HAD RUN OUT OF GAS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE ON 1/4 TANK AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHEN THE TANK READ 1/2 FULL.
NHTSA complaint #10139017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
2001 GMC SONOMA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE FIRST TIME THE PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 35000 MILE AND NOW IT'S BEING REPLACED AGAIN AT 60000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10127955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP, REPAIRS COSTING OVER $2000.00 IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. SEE THAT THERE IS A HISTORY WITH THIS VEHICLE PART SO WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A SOLUTION FOR ALL OF US OUT HERE. THIS IS RIDICULOUOS. IT'S ALWAYS THE FUEL PUMP WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. VERY FUSTRATING FOR SUCH LOW MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10107950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
NAR 03-24-2003 MR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST 2 TIMED THE GAS GAUGE REAR 1/8TH OF A TANK AND THE LAST TIME IT READ 1/4TH OF A TANK. T HE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE AND WAS A DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #10012356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.