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.
2002 GMC Sonoma: check engine light
5 of the 57 complaints about the 2002 GMC Sonoma describe check engine light.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 49,300
- recalls
- 0
Check engine light by model year
- 20031
- 20025
- 20013
- 19971
What owners say
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.
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.
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.
Noticed a pull on the vehicle and noticed engine had stopped I was driving on the interstate going 285 north about 60 miles per hour. Had just turned on the air conditioner. Was able to coast and safely pull over to the exit. *ak engine would turn but not start. Had to be towed to dealership. Was safe because it was saturday afternoon, no traffic, per tech fuel pump sensor failure, thereafter had other problems ie, headlights out, daylight running lights out, had radio/cd player problems b4 engine failure, with intermittent changing of stations, radio comming on and off, service engine light on. Rt turn signal light fast blinking, since I purchased the vehicle there has always been a concern about the brakes. When hitting a bump in the road and braking, the car seems to roll instead of slowing or stopping,and I always feel if a vehicle was in front of me I would hit them. I have avoided many incidents being careful when I brake but during a passing conversation with a tech during oil change I discussed this problem. It was never documented. I mentioned my brake issue after the tech found the brake light on after engine service my brake concerns have never really been documented. They have checked the brakes and actually repaired them, they are working okay today. I am still having problems with blinking light on my radio,(new radio/cd by dealer) and daytime running lights going out again. I believe it is a computer problem or electrical short. This week my vehicle has been checked 3 times. Please note this vehicle did not overheat, have battery problems, the engine just cut off. Tech thinks I ran out of gas, defect in gauge. I dont think so. I keep all of my receipts. My vehicle was built april 2002 I purchased as new vechicle with 127miles can you tell me if there was a previous problem with this vehicle
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake...
- This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil...
- This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist...
- Engine
- This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter...
- This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2002 GMC Sonoma check engine light
Is check engine light a common problem on the 2002 GMC Sonoma?
5 of 57 owner complaints about the 2002 GMC Sonoma (9%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 GMC Sonoma?
There are 0 recalls and 64 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
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