2002 GMC Sonoma: ABS light or ABS activating

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 Nov 30, 2006 · Brakes · 111,111 miles · GA

Tonight, a rainy night in texas I had to brakes suddenly. Finally my ABS brakes worked properly .there was no heavy pull to the left swerving into the next lane, as it did from 2003-2005. There was pulsation from the braking mechanism that I never felt before like I told it should work. I didn't have to fight with the wheel to keep control. It never swerved like numerous times before out of the over 100 times my ABS brakes malfunctioned , this time finally it worked the way ABS should work during a wet bumpy road. Last year after many phone calls about my many issues,gm corp and the dealer finally was willing to check out my vehicle again with ABS brakes and other issues. I drove my vehicle at my cost from texas to georgia. The dealer reported my vehicle's issues were repaired. The drl issue (turns off while using the turn signal, stupid defect that they have in the manual. As if it normal. I still don't know any other car that does this ) the problem is still there but the electrical issue is gone. When I had the electrical problem it affected the entire vehicle over the time I had the truck. I even had my radio replaced over nine times. My last issue was the system not recognizing the check engine light being on and driving from ga to tx and back before it would go out. I drove 2000 miles. ....ABS brakes." what ever the dealer did to my car to repair the swerving issues. They need to do a recall for those people who have malfunctioning ABS brakes on the sonoma vehicle. There is a defect and it should be acknowledged. Mine was fixed after 3 years. These brakes were defective and dangerous until repaired. I have avoided many accidents by being very careful ; offensive and defensive driving. Have gm fix those faulty ABS brakes. Please note you can find my many complaints under gmc sonoma 2002.

Filed Jul 10, 2006 · Brakes · NJ

On my 2002 gmc sonoma truck the front driver side brake pad was worn off and the rotor severely scored and ruined by 14,000 miles, to the extent that the gmc dealer declared it unsafe to drive. Mean while the passenger side front brake pad was largely intact and the rotor perfect. Also the ABS system failed to stop truck promptly or smoothly on several occasions.

Filed Nov 18, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 127 miles · GA

Please see my numerous entries- took vehicle in again to service department. Picked up 11/17/05. Abs brakes. Supposedly they have finally diagnosed them.!replaced bad wheel sensor. H0161.9. I was told they didn't check them previously. I have documented the number of times this has been an issue and I have brought them in. . Their records only show twice. Radio-replaced 8 times already duplicated freezing, playing 1 station and showing another at oth dealer and doc, they didn't replace this time however they installed updated software. "why wasn't this done before" and they advised a cd was stuff in the player. It was not, my dau was playing a janis joplin cd and took it with her when we left the vehicle. When turn signal used daytime running light goes out. They say this happens on some cars but not all. They cannot tell you which cars it happens to. Once when I brought it in, they fixed it. Then it started going out again. This time they showed me a piece of paper that said "some vehicles" has this but they do not designate which vehicles, I still do not know if it is a design flaw, electrical issue or both. Emissions, I've driven over 2500 miles and it finally passed the readiness test. I took this in 4 times before driving 1000, they on the fifth time I took it in it passed why did I have to drive so many miles in order for my vehicle to pass the emissions. My lemon tainted 2002 sonoma truck gm rep sys his record sys I was never towed. As you know I was towed twice. Once when engine just stopped and second when my battery just died. General manager at dealer sys my complaint shows only twice. They still tell me I do not have any electrical issues. I say I do. Are my brakes fixed? I will need to drive it and will let you know!

Filed Oct 26, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 49,300 miles · GA

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 codes are not showing. Want me to drive another 150 miles. Two codes are not showing. Took back to emissions provider, they showed me it was the 02 sensor and last test on the obd computer. I don't remember the name. Also please note my radio froze again playing on 1 station and showing another. Showed it to tech today. And also my brakes still giving same problem. Abs brakes still pulling vehicle. Bought new tires to help with the traction. But problem still same. Fuel was about 12 miles per gal. How many miles do I have to drive in order for the computer on the vehicle to respond. I've driven over 1000 (one thousand) since friday 10-21-05. What a lemon! I will be returning back to the dealership (chev) tomorrow after driving 150 miles. My daytime light still goes out when using turn signals.

Filed Aug 5, 2005 · Brakes · NY

Dt: contact owns a 2002 gmc sonoma. Last week the ABS light came on. At the first stop sign the car veered to the right as he was pressing on the brakes. He went to a service station that was about a half mile down the road. They indicated it was a sensor for the ABS brakes. He went to his dealership and told them his story and they said that vehicle was not under warranty and there was no recall. The dealership indicated it was normal for the vehicle to pull to the right. The owner's manual stated that if the ABS failed there would be normal braking capabilities, but consumer's vehicle did not have it. *ak *jb updated 01/10/06.

Filed Jul 26, 2005 · Brakes · 52,000 miles · WI

Dt: 2002 gmc sonoma. Consumer complained about ABS brake problem. While driving 30 MPH on silver spring drive in milwaukee, wisconsin consumer applied brakes and the vehicle slid due to the wheels locking up. The road was dry and it was day time. This happened on july 12, 2005. Consumer did not believe that speed of the vehicle had to be slow or fast for this to happen. He had no idea what caused ABS failure.

Filed Oct 17, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 35,548 miles · GA

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 press the buttons. They refused to document my radio problem at the jonesboro dealership. I called back and spoke to mark about documentation. He said he couldn't because the tech didn't see it. I advised him that he did and I asked him why did he push any buttons. At marietta, my truck had radio replaced twice during this week due to malfunction. 2) ABS braking failure, normal soft braking, truck will swerve to side and then correct itself, roll forward and then stop. Was told this is normal braking for ABS. Was duplicated at dealership but they have tried to minimize problem (team pontiac, gmc jonesboro rd of union city ga) they did document issue 3) emergency brake ) light not working when depressing emergency brake pedal. Illuminated during start of truck however didn't work when depressing pedal . Marietta pontiac gmc repaired issue. Can now depress emergency brake and it will light up . See previous notes, to date, my truck has had since purchase 12/29/2004 1) new battery, headlight bulb , daytime running light bulb , turn signal switch, new radio 1,2,3,4. New o2 sensor, fuel pump, (lost power on interstate) ABS issues, my truck just isn't safe. With this consistent ABS problem.

Filed Jul 14, 2004 · Electrical · 32,700 miles · GA

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 or anyother issues.he advised me that it was normal for the battery to go out with 32500 miles, had the truck since 12-29-2002. This doesnt seem normal to me, had previous issue with vehicle engine shutting down, headlights, daytime running lites, cd/radio(I'm on my 3d radio) ABS problem not solved also my vehicle seems to run hot, once it reaches the center mark. Brought this up to the tech during the test drive he told me it a fan comes on. . Feel a great change in the vehicle driving experience until it cools down. It seems it takes a long time for my vehicle to cool off per gauges in panel . If this is the norm I dont know what to think. Trust the dealer,or change service center. I like my truck. It is the reason I bought it.but it has become a monster, see my other complaints.

Filed May 25, 2004 · Brakes · 200 miles · GA

Problem-I dont feel safe in my truck-ABS brakes is not working properly when coming in contact with a bump in the road or pothole cover at times. On going incident since purchasing the vehicle new with 127 miles. Despite what the dealer service department has told me, this is normal for ABS brakes, this is a problem for me. They have either incorrectly documented or did not document at all my complaint. When stopping at a light and the right brake hit a pothole cover or bump in the road, at times, the rt brake will release and the left brake will "brake". The vehicle will jerk on the rt side causing the vehicle to move forward and swerve. As my vehicle comes to a stop, mybrake pedal pushes down to the floor I find myself stopped at an angle. This is as exact as I can get with what happens. This is a persistent problem. I try to avoid objects on the road but cannot see them all. My vehicle has been serviced and they cannot find anything they say except bulletin for cleaning brake sensors. This visit is the only time my problem has been documented. When I picked up my truck the last visit, I advised the service tech I do not want this problem anymore and reexplain the problems. Please be advised on march 20,04, I filed previous complaint at this site and complained about the ABS brakes. Please note when I first had my truck oil serviced I complained about the brakes, I was told ABS worked this way. The pedal goes down to the floor. I stopped by the dealership 05/24/04 to file a complaint. Tony wrote the problem on scratchpaper, I got a copy I cannot continue to avoid potholes or bumps, especially at night. I will either rearend some one, get injured or lose my life. I dont feel safe in my truck. I had to explain to my daughter about the problem to avoid an accident. She experience the same problem. My vehicle is still under warranty. I need my situation investigated.

Filed May 5, 2004 · Brakes · 19,500 miles · MI

Abs light comes on when coming to a full stop. The vehicle performs as normal until the first full stop after starting engine. Vehicle will not stop properly as antilock brake computer will not let the driver fully apply the brakes. After a few stopping attempts the ABS light comes on indicating the computer cannot sense a signal from the speed sensor. The computer then turns off antilock function and allows normal braking until engne is turned off and computer is reset. The process repeats at each vehicle startup. This condition could pose a safety hazard upon coming to a full stop and cause an accident. Suggest manufacturer look into product assembly and/or manufacturing defects for brake speed sensors on all sonoma/s-10 or equivalently equipped vehicles.