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2003 Chevrolet Sonoma problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma is transmission and drivetrain. It has fewer complaints than a typical Sonoma model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
81
Worst area
Transmission

The worst 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Transmission
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Tailgate support cablesOpened April 14, 2005, closed May 19, 2006

General motors is conducting a special policy program for 903,464 owners of 2000 - 2003 model s/t vehicles through which owners may, at their option, either (1) periodically inspect the tailgate support cables installed in their vehicle and have the cables replaced if the cable coating exhibits any indications of damage or deterioration or (2) request that the tailgate support cables be replaced free of charge. Gm will honor all requests by owners who opt for replacement without question regardless of the condition or appearance of the cables. Gm has agreed to mail reminder notifications to owners every two years until the tailgate support cables have been replaced or until the vehicle is 12 years old.odi's investigation indicates that a significant majority of the reported complaints (87%) and injuries (94%) have occurred in my 2000 - 2003 s/t vehicles.

EA05008

Tailgate support cable(s) breakOpened November 22, 2004, closed April 14, 2005

Odi is upgrading rq04-012 and opening an ea to investigate the tailgate support cables installed in 1998 - 2004 model year sonoma and s10 model vehicles.general motors is conducting recall campaign 04v‑129 to replace the tailgate support cables originally installed in certain model year 2000-2004 sierras and silverados and certain model year 2002-2004 avalanches and escalade exts (c/k models).general motors has advised odithat the tailgate support cables installed in the subject vehicles were fabricated using identical or similar sheathing material as the recalled vehicles.however,general motors has advised odi that sonoma and s-10 vehicles differ from c/k models in several ways: the vehicle height is lower; the tailgate displacement (drop) when not supported by the cables is smaller and the tailgate comes to rest at a less severe tip angle when not supported by the cables; the tailgate mass is smaller; and the size, payload, and usage characteristcis are less demanding than c/k model vehicles.gm also stated that sonoma and s-10 warranty claim information indicates a lower claim count and a lower claim rate than recalled c/k models.notwithstanding the above information, odi has received an additional 73 non-injury complaints and 10 injury complaints on the subject vehicles during rq04-012 (since november 2004 to date), which justifies opening an engineering analysis to further investigate this issue.

RQ04012

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma 81

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 81 bulletins for the 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma

What 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 29, 2003 · Transmission · MI

Consumer states dealer has three times changed the module sensor for automatic transmission. Dealer stated, will buy back the vehicle.

Compare the 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma

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Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma

Is the 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma reliable?

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma, fewer than a typical Sonoma model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 1 complaint.

How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma have?

No recalls on record.

Share your experience with the 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma

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