KnownCarProblems2002 GMC Sonoma Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 GMC Sonoma, most often about the brakes (28% of complaints, typically around 33,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Sonoma model year since 2000.
Complaints57
Recalls0
Crashes reported2
Fires reported1
Injuries reported2
Most common 2002 GMC Sonoma problems
Brakes
16 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock, indicator light.
Complaint covers sat oct 9th thru 10-14 2004 radio malfunctioning-1)took vehicle to jonesboro rd GMC dealer and complaint about radio first. Digital display showing one station and playing another. The panel gets very hot . Radio was showing issue at the time. Mark service advisor reached inside vehicle and began to…
Tl contact owns a 2002 GMC Sonoma. While driving approximately 15 MPH and approaching a stop light, the vehicle did not stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The brake pedal extended to the floor and the contact rear ended another vehicle. There were no injuries. The contact's son diagnosed the vehicle as having…
Body and structure
13 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
: the contact stated while standing on the tailgate, both cables fractured. There is a NHTSA recall, # 06v066000, regarding the tailgate cable; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
I own a 2002 GMC Sonoma pick-up. I had the cables on the tailgate break when climbing into the back of the truck. I have found articles on this subject on the internet from news agencies that say GMC would be sending out a letter to owners of the GMC Sonoma's and s10 that would warn of the problem and offer an…
Electrical
8 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 35,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, alternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Complaint covers sat oct 9th thru 10-14 2004 radio malfunctioning-1)took vehicle to jonesboro rd GMC dealer and complaint about radio first. Digital display showing one station and playing another. The panel gets very hot . Radio was showing issue at the time. Mark service advisor reached inside vehicle and began to…
Vehicle would not start 7am. Had driven night before. Original battery seem dead however the original battery in vehicle displayed green light to determine if charge held or not. Tow truck driver tried to jumpstart vehicle. Unable. Had vehicle towed dealer replaced with 6yr battery. He never mention a electrical short…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 9%I noticed in a reflection off the vehicle in front of me that when I turned my turn signal (doesn't matter which one, right or left), that my day time running lights go off. This started out as only happening on occasion and then proceed to get worse. By february 17, 2003, the day time running lights would go off…
My spare tire on my 2002 GMC Sonoma pickup fell out of its carrier. It rolled across two lanes of traffic, luckily traffic was light and no one was struck by the run away wheel. I appears the cable that secures the spare on the truck parted. This is the first time the spare has been off the truck.
Doors and locks
5 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: tailgate, doors.
(1) loading parcels into bed of truck. (2) tailgate support cable broke, causing tailgate to fall on rear bumper for support, this caused damage to tailgate and parcels to fall on ground. Person loading parcels received minor bruises and cuts. (2a) tailgate latch handle broke and fell on ground, tailgate can not be…
Third door latch broke. Contacted dealer and GMC customer service. Told no recalls on latch. I would have to pay dealer to determine what caused latch to break if part defective GMC would pay for fix but not for dealers labor for diagnosing problem. Dealer said it would take 30 minutes minimum to 1 hour and half at 75…
Engine
4 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust 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.
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…
Transmission
4 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: transfer case (4-wheel drive), clutch assembly.
I currently own a 2002 GMC Sonoma zr5 4WD pickup. Shortly after purchase the vent controls for the A/C unit started to malfunction. This did not seem to be a big deal until last week when I was told the problem had been traced to a vacuum module on the transfer case that controls switching in and out of 4WD. The…
- the contact was driving on the freeway at approximately 65 MPH when his clutch failed on his 2002 GMC Sonoma. The road conditions were wet. The clutch stopped engaging, the engine was revving but none of the gears would engage. The contact had the vehicle towed to his home. The tow driver said he could smell the…
Lights
4 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: turn signal, headlights, brake lights.
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…
: the contact stated that the brake lights remained illuminated when the vehicle was parked and turned off. The battery had to be disconnected. The vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic. There is a NHTSA recall, #06v139000, regarding the brake light switch; however the consumer's vehicle is not included in the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 GMC Sonoma recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
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.
Questions about the 2002 GMC Sonoma
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC Sonoma?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (16 complaints, typically around 33,000 miles); body and structure (13 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); electrical (8 complaints, typically around 35,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sonoma have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 GMC Sonoma. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the GMC Sonoma?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Sonoma model year since 2000, with 57 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.