47 of the
1,739 complaints filed about the GMC Sonoma
are about the suspension —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2000.
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.
ON 19 JUNE 2013 I APPLIED THE BRAKES ON A DAMP/WET ROAD. BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP I EXPERIENCED A SORT OF HOPPING OF THE FRONT END WHILE GOING OVER A ROUGH SECTION OF ROADWAY. THIS SENSATION HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE AND I WAS TOLD IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ANTI-LOCKING BRAKE SYSTEM BUT NOTHING SPECIFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10521311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVER WAS GOING APPROX. 40MPH DOWN THE RURAL HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER CAME TO A STOP. BY THE TIME THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA SAW THE TRUCK IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE SONOMA HIT THE STOPPED TRUCK AND TOTALED THE SONOMA. AT NO POINT DID THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10465485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN THE LAST 6 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS; BOTH UPPER AND LOWER AND SHOCKS ALL AROUND FOR THE SECOND TIME. I DO NOT GO OUT 4-WHEELING AND BASICALLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE ONLY IN TOWN DRIVING. I DO NOT THINK THESE PARTS SHOULD BE WEARING OUT SO QUICKLY ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10416866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN THE LAST 6 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS; BOTH UPPER AND LOWER AND SHOCKS ALL AROUND FOR THE SECOND TIME. I DO NOT GO OUT 4-WHEELING AND BASICALLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE ONLY IN TOWN DRIVING. I DO NOT THINK THESE PARTS SHOULD BE WEARING OUT SO QUICKLY ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10416866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN THE LAST 6 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS; BOTH UPPER AND LOWER AND SHOCKS ALL AROUND FOR THE SECOND TIME. I DO NOT GO OUT 4-WHEELING AND BASICALLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE ONLY IN TOWN DRIVING. I DO NOT THINK THESE PARTS SHOULD BE WEARING OUT SO QUICKLY ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10416866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN THE LAST 6 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS; BOTH UPPER AND LOWER AND SHOCKS ALL AROUND FOR THE SECOND TIME. I DO NOT GO OUT 4-WHEELING AND BASICALLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE ONLY IN TOWN DRIVING. I DO NOT THINK THESE PARTS SHOULD BE WEARING OUT SO QUICKLY ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10416866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55668.
NHTSA complaint #10321759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS IN MY 2000 GMC SONOMA HAVE SEAT POSITIONING CONTROLS AND LOCKING MECHANISIMS THAT DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK PROPERLY AND/OR GET JAMMED UP AND HAVE BROKEN. A FRIEND WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE TO KEEP IT FROM SLIDING FORWARD. I ADJUSTED THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE TO HELP 'REALIGN' THE SEAT FRAME SO THAT THE MECHANISM THAT KEEPS THE SEAT FROM SIDING FRONT AND BACK WOULD KEEP THE SEAT LOCKED INTO POSITION ONCE THE SEATING DISTANCE IS SET. ALSO, THE RECLINING HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF, NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK SUPPORT ANGLE ADJUSTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK SUPPORT ADJUSTMENT LEVER OFTEN 'STICKS' OR 'LOCKS' INTO POSITION....NOT ALLOWING FOR SEAT BACK REST ADJUSTMENT. REAR DIFFERENTIAL SOMETIMES LOCKS UP AND OR SLIPS AND SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE...ESPECIALLY WHEN SIDEWAYS FORCE IS APPLIED...SUCH AS WHEN TURNING IN A CURVE OR CIRCULAR FASHION WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES BROKE ON THE TRUCK. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BEARING HAD EXCESS WEAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 65 000 KM. DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER ARM GOT DISLODGED FROM THE SHAFT THAT TURNS IT AND WAS KNOCKED OUT OF POSITION ON 2 OCCASIONS. POWER STEERING FAILS FOR SHORT INTERMITTENT PERIODS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED FROM A 'COLD' AND 'WARM' STATE AND THE STEERING BECOMES STIFFER AND LESS RESPONSIVE. MOST NOTICABLE AT SLOWER VEHICLE SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #10185417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT 85,687 MILES, I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS ON MY 1997 GMC SONOMA 4X4. GENUINE GM PARTS WERE USED FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I CURRENTLY HAVE 127,532 MILES ON THOSE BALL JOINTS AND ALL FOUR OF THEM NEED REPLACED AGAIN!!!!. THIS MEAN THAT THESE GENUINE GM PARTS HAVE 41,845 MILES ON THEM AND ARE BAD AGAIN!!!! AFTER CALLING GM TO ASK FOR SOME HELP WITH A WARRANTY ON THE PARTS, OF COURSE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME.
NHTSA complaint #10141607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT 85,687 MILES, I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS ON MY 1997 GMC SONOMA 4X4. GENUINE GM PARTS WERE USED FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I CURRENTLY HAVE 127,532 MILES ON THOSE BALL JOINTS AND ALL FOUR OF THEM NEED REPLACED AGAIN!!!!. THIS MEAN THAT THESE GENUINE GM PARTS HAVE 41,845 MILES ON THEM AND ARE BAD AGAIN!!!! AFTER CALLING GM TO ASK FOR SOME HELP WITH A WARRANTY ON THE PARTS, OF COURSE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME.
NHTSA complaint #10141607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1994 GMC SONOMA. THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. SOMETIMES WHEN SHE IS TRYING TO STOP, IT WILL EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE HER 125 DOLLARS TO LOOK AT IT. IN TWO MONTHS SHE HAS HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED THREE TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS, PADS, DRUMS, EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE AND NOTHING SEEMED TO HELP. THE ABS LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON. GMC STATED THE CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN WITH THE RECALL BECAUSE HER VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND A LOT OF MILES ON IT. THE SHOCKS HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS ARE 99I006000 AND 99V193000.
NHTSA complaint #10130004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT 35 MPH PASSANGER LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED AND RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE BEING DISABLED AND TOWED FROM FROM ROAD. 94 SONOMA 2.2 LITER WITH 180,000 MILES. I HAD NO CLUE AS TO THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO RUN FINE JUST BEFORE THE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10126596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
AFTER HEARING OF THE DODGE DURANGO BALL JOINT ISSUE (HTTP://WWW.CBSNEWS.COM/STORIES/2003/10/27/EVENINGNEWS/MAIN580233.SHTML) I DECIDED TO WRITE.*AK I HAVE A 2000 GMC SONOMA. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS WITH THE FRONT-END STEERING COMPONENTS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IDLER ARM THREE TIMES ALREADY. TWO OF THESE TIMES WERE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. ALSO, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE PORTIONS OF THE TIE-RODS TWICE, AS WELL AS BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUBS. I FIND THIS IS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE TALKED TO MY DEALER ABOUT THE SITUATION AND THEY TOLD ME, "IT'S JUST THE WAY TO FRONT-ENDS WERE DESIGNED." FORTUNATELY I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE FOR PARTS AND LABOR. UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN TERMS OF SAFETY. I TRAVEL QUITE A BIT WITH THIS VEHICLE, AS ONE CAN SEE BY THE MILEAGE. I WONDER IF OTHER SONOMA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. I ALSO WONDER IF GMC IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10043729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 1997 GMC SONOMA S.N. [XXX]. I HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF THINGS WRONG WITH IT. AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) WENT OUT, THE MOTOR MOUND BROKE, THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN, THE BRAKES FAIL, THE VALVES ARE TAPPING, MAIN FRONT BEARING SEAL IS LEAKING, BLINKERS ARE NOT WORKING,OIL IS LEAKING ON TOP OF ENGINE BY A/C, WATER IS LEAKING FROM HEATING COIL, WATER PUMP IS OUT NOW,GOD THAT IS ONLY SOME OF THE THINGS. I HAVE HAD IT 1YR. 7 MON. WHAT CAN I DO? I GOT THE WARRANTY. AND THANK GOD I DID. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10043608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER STATES OIL COOLER LINE WENT BAD AND ENGINE HAS A RATTLE WHEN IT IS COLD, ALSO THE ROCKER ARM MAKES A NOISE WHEN IT IS HOT. *YD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION SEAL WAS BAD. IT WAS REPLACED, BUT THERE IS STILL A BAD GROWL COMING FROM THE REAR END WHEN THE CONSUMER ACCELERATES. THE LEFT DOOR RATTLED, THE RIGHT UPPER DOOR HINGES BUSHINGS WERE BAD, THERE WAS NO GREASE ON THE FRONT BALL JOINTS, THE FRONT ACTUATOR MOTOR FOR THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #566258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THAT RIGHT/ FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT HAS FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED. ALSO, DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY ANY RECALL. CONSUMER MUST COVER ALL EXPENSES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE BALL JOINTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.
NHTSA complaint #8000971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.