KnownCarProblems2000 GMC Sonoma Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 136 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 GMC Sonoma, most often about the body and structure (30% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Sonoma model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2000 GMC Sonoma problems
Body and structure
41 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
While sitting on the tailgate both tailgate cables broke. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the tailgate cables needed to be replaced.
Tailgate cables broke while I was sitting on the tailgate. Rusted through where the protective covering cracked from bending. Replaced with nos cables at my own expense as the dealer said the recall only included full sized trucks...?!!
Brakes
35 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, brake fluid low warning.
Abs system malfunction. Code c0265. Internet research indicates that this model year (2000) and other similar models and surrounding years have this failure. Grounding failure to ABS computer module resulting in the necessity to replace module.
My ABS light began to come on while driving. I could hear the ABS pump running but the module was not functioning. I pulled the fuse so it would stop running and I could get home. After taking it into auto service they determined it needs a electronic brake control module and has a kelsey & hayes anti-lock system. The…
Doors and locks
12 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: doors, tailgate, hatchback/liftgate.
The tailgate on my Sonoma truck was in the open position, a piece of wood (so small it didn't even leave a dent) fell on the gate. The two cables which support the tailgate both snapped at the same time allowing the gate to fall straight down. After finding the info regarding the sierra trucks having this problem, you…
2000 GMC Sonoma, third door and handle. Since I purchased the vehicle (used) and warranty expired I've noticed that the third door has always been difficult to open, not being familiar with it I assumed it was normal until the handle broke and you could not open the door since there is only one handle for it. I went…
Seats
11 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: front assembly.
GMC Sonoma 2000 third door latch broke so that door won't open back of drivers seat handle to adjust seat broke off so that the seat is in a tilt position and will not adjust. Almost to a position of 50% back.
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…
Air bags
10 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Our son was involved in a accident on 09/15/2013 where he was traveling north bound on soldiers home road in moraine ohio. His truck went of the right side of the road, when it did he accidentally hit the gas and not the brake. Truck then hit an electric pole as it picked up speed broke a tie rod in half. He then lost…
Transmission
8 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission.
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…
Suspension
8 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: front.
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 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.
Engine
7 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
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.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 GMC Sonoma recalls
Equipment: labels
Risk: This could result in a loss of control of the vehicle or an inability to stop the vehicle within expected stopping distances.
Fix: Owners will be sent a new label for installation on the driver's door of the vehicle.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles were built with incorrect payload information on the vehicle certification label. The payload shown on the label is greater than the maximum validated payload. If the vehicle were loaded to the incorrectly labeled payload, it may not ride and handle in the manner that the driver expects.
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Risk: The base brakes would remain fully functional, but the dynamic rear proportioning (drp) system, which optimizes front to rear brake balance, would become inoperative.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake pressure module valve assembly.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes. Some of these vehicles have an antilock brake system (ABS) motor containing an out-of-specification spring clip. This clip could allow the motor bearing to become misaligned. If misalignment occurs, eventually the ABS would be non-functional.
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Risk: If this occurred, the seating seal could be broken during vehicle assembly, or from early road inputs or brake fluid cycling, and a leak could occur increasing the brake stopping distance.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the brake pipe union for signs of brake fluid, and if necessary, install a new brake pipe union.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: s -trucks equipped with 2 wheel drive. These vehicles may have had the right-hand antilock brake system (ABS) module feed pipe and/or brake crossover pipe tube nuts tightened without seating the pipe-flared-ends enough to withstand normal assembly and vehicle inputs without partially unseating. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic service brake normal, emergency, and park braking performance."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine stall due to fuel starvation
Summary
Odi opened pe02-066 to evaluate the scope and consequence of engine power-loss due to fuel starvation induced by in-tank modular fuel pump strainer restriction.the subject pumps use an external ?sock? Strainer to filter fuel flowing to the pump inlet.this filter can sometimes become clogged, resulting in a reduced flow of fuel to the engine.gm has subsequently modified the strainers to reduce this restriction.analysis of the odi complaint database shows that despite these restrictions, the subject vehicles stall at a rate that is comparable to those of many peer vehicles.additionally, none of the relevant warranty repair rates exceed 1% at 36 months of exposure.one related crash involves a s
Questions about the 2000 GMC Sonoma
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 GMC Sonoma?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (41 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); brakes (35 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles); doors and locks (12 complaints, typically around 41,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 GMC Sonoma have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 8, 2000 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the GMC Sonoma?
- It is the most complained-about Sonoma model year since 2000, with 136 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.