Sonoma (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
L35
4.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
GMC Sonoma Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
L43 - Flex fuel
2.2LView details
Complaint Breakdown
LU3 90 Degrees
4.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L43
2.2LView details
Complaint Breakdown
LN2
2.2L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
LCH
2.2L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Sonoma, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma
On a used 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the body and structure (109), the brakes (75) and the transmission and drivetrain (27). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 109 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma about the body and structure.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 75 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma about the brakes.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 27 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma about the seats, seat belts and interior.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma about the engine, all engines combined.
Recalls (6)
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
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.
Show 1 older recall
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."
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Pickup
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma complaints?
Owners have filed 321 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma. The systems they name most often are the body and trim, the brakes and the transmission.
Is the 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 321 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma have?
NHTSA has 321 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering some 2000-2004 GMC Sonoma vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used GMC Sonoma?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the body and trim, the brakes and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Sonoma?
The 2001 GMC Sonoma received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars. Electronic Stability Control: No. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 321 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.