2003 GMC Sonoma problems
NHTSA has received 53 complaints about the 2003 GMC Sonoma, and 13% of them involve brakes. After that come drivetrain & axles (11%) and body & structure (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 53 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 13% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 44,000 miles 40 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 12 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 7 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 40 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 44,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 11th most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the GMC Sonoma with enough data (36 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
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.
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.
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.