2002 GMC Sonoma problems

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · UT

During an oil change I noticed unusual wear on the front passenger side tire. Upon investigation my mechanic found that the chassis was cracked which pushed the tire causing it to rub. Very concerned this could have caused a very bad accident.

Filed Oct 14, 2015 · Body · 194,000 miles · MD · crash · 1 injury

The 3rd door on ext cab. The door does not open. Was told by dealer this is major complaints for these 3rd models. Have to replace pins or something, but it keeps happening. This a a life & death hazard & defect. Why hasn't this been recalled? In an accident, (rear ended) the door could not be opened.

Filed May 4, 2015 · Body, Tires · 200,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sonoma. While driving at approximately 25 MPH, the spare tire wire cable hoist assembly fray snapped and the spare tire fell onto the road. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2015 · Electrical · 72,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 gmc sonoma. The contact stated that the ignition key disengaged from the ignition switch when in the on position. In addition, the contact stated that when the key was in the off position, the vehicle remained powered on. As a result, the battery became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000. Updated 03/30/15*lj updated 6/22/2015

Filed Dec 4, 2013 · Body · 92,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sonoma. The contact stated that the driver's side interior extended cab door handle became fractured while the contact was attempting to exit the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the defect was remedied. The contact stated the same door handle fractured a second time. The failure was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 92,000.

Filed Apr 13, 2012 · Brakes · 64,988 miles · LA

While braking for a yield intersection on 3/30/2012, approx. 10am, in dry and clear conditions, brakes on 2002 gmc sonoma failed. Vehicle would not stop despite hard pressure on the brake pedal and ran through intersection almost colliding with another vehicle. When managed to get vehicle stopped and pulled to side of road, both the ABS and brake failure warning lights were illuminated on the dash. Upon turning the ignition off and restarting, both the ABS and brake failure warning lights cleared and were no longer illuminated. Check engine light never illuminated. Took vehicle to both independent mechanic and gm dealership mechanic and both confirmed an odb ii trouble code of c0265 had been generated. This code, I was told, indicates failure of the ebcm (electronic brake control module) of the ABS system. Apparently, this problem is well-known to gm and it has issued several technical service bulletins on the problem, but no recalls. Independent mechanic could not replace the ebcm as lacked the proprietary gm software needed to program it. Gm dealership mechanic--while confirming generation of the c0265 trouble code--refused to replace the ebcm instead saying I should "just drive it around and see if the problem happens again." this seemed a very dismissive approach by gm to a known problem on certain of their ABS vehicles as the first brake failure on 3/20/2012 almost caused a wreck. Not anxious to find out what the second failure the gm dealer wants me to "wait for" would result in.

Filed Mar 26, 2012 · Brakes · 75,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sonoma. The contact noticed that the brake lines were corroded while inspecting the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The contact had not experienced brake failure, but was concerned it could suddenly occur. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Dec 15, 2009 · Body, Locks · 50,000 miles · MD

2002 gmc sonoma zr-2 extended cab door entry handle has failed 5 times over past 6 years. Part has been replaced. Old part is available.

Filed Jun 29, 2009 · Locks · 120,000 miles · NH

Door latch for my extended cab door has broken for the 2nd time since I've owned it, which is 2004 and the lasy one lasted only 2 years.

Filed Oct 3, 2008 · Body, Locks · TX

I have owned this vehicle since 2002, bought it brand new. The third door handle has been replaced 4 times, today it broke again. If someone were in the back of the cab and had to get out, they could not. This handle is plastic and breaks continuously. The chevy house informed me that they have this part in stock all the time because it happens quite often. They replaced it 4 times while it was under warranty. It is not under warranty now, so I will have to pay for it. This item should be corrected and made into a heavier material and made a recall.