GMC SONOMA 2000 THIRD DOOR LATCH BROKE SO THAT DOOR WON'T OPEN BACK OF DRIVERS SEAT HANDLE TO ADJUST SEAT BROKE OFF SO THAT THE SEAT IS IN A TILT POSITION AND WILL NOT ADJUST. ALMOST TO A POSITION OF 50% BACK. *NM
2000 GMC Sonoma
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sonoma years
Owner complaints for the 2000 GMC Sonoma are substantially higher than the model-year median of 57.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sonoma years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
63 reports with mileage · 73 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Latches/locks/linkages complaints
12 reportsI ATTEMPTED TO OPEN MY THIRD DOOR AND THE HANDLE BROKE. *JB
2000 GMC SONOMA WAS BEING USED TO MOVE INTO AN APARTMENT. THE TAILGATE LATCH DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE TAILGATE CAME OPEN. THE TAILGATE CABLE FAILED ON ONE SIDE. THE TAILGATE DROPPED TO THE ROAD AND WAS DRAGGED BY THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON NOTICING THE SPARKS FROM METAL ON THE CONCRETE ROAD SURFACE AND HEARING THE…
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2000 GMC SONOMA WAS BEING USED TO MOVE INTO AN APARTMENT. THE TAILGATE LATCH DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE TAILGATE CAME OPEN. THE TAILGATE CABLE FAILED ON ONE SIDE. THE TAILGATE DROPPED TO THE ROAD AND WAS DRAGGED BY THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON NOTICING THE SPARKS FROM METAL ON THE CONCRETE ROAD SURFACE AND HEARING THE NOISE. THE TAILGATE WAS DAMAGED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WITH METAL AND PAINT WORN AWAY. THE TAILGATE WAS TOUCH UP PAINTED TO PREVENT RUST. A GMC DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT DUE THE COST(OVER $100) THE CABLE WAS NOT REPLACED AND THE TRUCK HAS SEEN LIMITED USE FOR CARGO. THE CABLE IS STILL INSTALLED ON THE TRUCK AND IT IS COMPLETED CORRODED AT THE POINT OF FAILURE AND I DO NOT TRUST THE CONDITION OF THE REMAINING CABLE. *JB
THE TAILGATE ON MY SONOMA TRUCK WAS IN THE OPEN POSITION, A PIECE OF WOOD (SO SMALL IT DIDN'T EVEN LEAVE A DENT) FELL ON THE GATE. THE TWO CABLES WHICH SUPPORT THE TAILGATE BOTH SNAPPED AT THE SAME TIME ALLOWING THE GATE TO FALL STRAIGHT DOWN. AFTER FINDING THE INFO REGARDING THE SIERRA TRUCKS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, YOU NEED TO KN…
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THE TAILGATE ON MY SONOMA TRUCK WAS IN THE OPEN POSITION, A PIECE OF WOOD (SO SMALL IT DIDN'T EVEN LEAVE A DENT) FELL ON THE GATE. THE TWO CABLES WHICH SUPPORT THE TAILGATE BOTH SNAPPED AT THE SAME TIME ALLOWING THE GATE TO FALL STRAIGHT DOWN. AFTER FINDING THE INFO REGARDING THE SIERRA TRUCKS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, YOU NEED TO KNOW IT IS THE SMALL TRUCKS AS WELL. THE EXACT SAME REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM GMC COST ME APPROX $96.00, AND I HAVE TO INSTALL THEM MYSELF! VERY HAZARDOUS. *NM
GMC 2000 SONOMA SLS 1) THE THIRD DOOR PLASTIC HANDLE ACTUATOR SNAPS OFF. (ONCE IN 5 YEARS) .....I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY CAREFUL NOT TO FORCE THE HANDLE BECAUSE A MECHANIC TOLD ME FOUR YEARS AGO THAT THE HANDLES WERE ALREADY BREAKING ON MANY CUSTOMERS. I BOUGHT THE PART AT A GM DEALERSHIP FOR $30 AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF...…
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GMC 2000 SONOMA SLS 1) THE THIRD DOOR PLASTIC HANDLE ACTUATOR SNAPS OFF. (ONCE IN 5 YEARS) .....I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY CAREFUL NOT TO FORCE THE HANDLE BECAUSE A MECHANIC TOLD ME FOUR YEARS AGO THAT THE HANDLES WERE ALREADY BREAKING ON MANY CUSTOMERS. I BOUGHT THE PART AT A GM DEALERSHIP FOR $30 AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF...NOT TOO TOUGH IF YOU ARE A "PROJECT PERSON" WITH MANY TOOLS. TOOK ABOUT ONE HOUR. THE INITIAL ROD ADJUSTMENT MUST HAVE BEEN BAD BECAUSE MY INSTALL IS NOW BETTER FUNCTIONING THAN THE ORIGINAL. 2) THE METAL ROD OF THE RECLINER HANDLE SNAPS IN HALF. (ONCE IN 5 YEARS) ......THIS HAPPENED WHEN A TECHNICIAN WAS WORKING IN THE BACK CAB SPACE REPLACING MY BACK WINDOW. I THOUGHT THEY DID IT ON PURPOSE TO GENERATE SOME PAPERWORK. THE GUY SWORE TO ME THAT THOSE HANDLES HAVE BROKEN ON THEM MANY TIMES, AND MY PASSENGER SIDE WILL DO THE SAME SHORTLY. THEY REPLACED IT FOR FREE, BUT IT TOOK TWO HOURS AND THEY HAD TO TAKE THE WHOLE SEAT APART. 3) THE TAILGATE CABLES CORRODE AND SUDDENLY BREAK IN HALF. (TWICE IN 5 YEARS) ......THE FIRST TIME IT JUST SNAPPED FOR NO REASON. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT FREE. JUST ONE YEAR LATER THE NEW CABLE BROKE WHEN I WAS PUSHING OFF A LOAD...I ALMOST TUMBLED OFF UNDER THE DROPPING LOAD. THEY WANT $48 FOR THE CABLE ALONE, WHICH IS RIVETED TO A BRACKET. I AM NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND REFUSE TO PAY THAT MUCH OR THE LABOR. I AM GOING TO RIG UP MY OWN REPLACEMENT. MEANWHILE, THE EXISTING CABLE IS STRAINED AND THE UPPER CABLE BODY ATTACHMENT ROD IS BENT. THE TAILGATE WAS DENTED WAS THE CABLES SNAPPED. I CONDUCTED MUCH RESEARCH ON THE WEB ON THESE ISSUES, AND FOUND THEY ARE A COMMON PROBLEM. MOST PEOPLE WON'T TAKE THE TIME TO REPORT THEM, THOUGH....SO YOU NEED TO ESTIMATE THIS AND ALSO DEMAND GM'S WARRANTY AND PARTS RECORDS. WHAT IS SAD IS THAT ALL THREE OF THESE ISSUES INVOLVE GMC LITERALLY TRYING TO SAVE PETTY NICKLES AND DIMES ON MATERIAL QUALITY IN CRITICAL FUNCTION PARTS.
I PURCHASED MY 2000 GMC SONOMA THIS YEAR AND HAVE HAD IT FOR 1MO. AND THE THIRD DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN. I HAVE READ THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM AND WONDERING IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. OR IS ALL THE GMC SONOMA BUYS JUST AT A LOST FOR EVERY TIME THE HANDLE BREAKS. DOES THE COMPANY CARE AT ALL. SHOULDN'T T…
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I PURCHASED MY 2000 GMC SONOMA THIS YEAR AND HAVE HAD IT FOR 1MO. AND THE THIRD DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN. I HAVE READ THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM AND WONDERING IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. OR IS ALL THE GMC SONOMA BUYS JUST AT A LOST FOR EVERY TIME THE HANDLE BREAKS. DOES THE COMPANY CARE AT ALL. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. A METAL HANDLE COUNLD PROBABLY FIX THE PROBLEM OR MAKE THE DOOR RELEASE EASIER TO UNLOCK. *AK
2000 GMC SONOMA PICKUP. TAILGATE WAS DOWN WHILE UNLOADING GROCERIES. BOTH CABLES HOLDING TAILGATE UP BROKE AT SAME TIME ALLOWING TAILGATE TO DROP ON BUMPER.*AK
TAILGATE CABLE (RIGHT SIDE) SNAPPED AT POINT WHERE CABLE BENDS. APPEARS TO BE RUSTED UNDER PLASTIC COVER.
I WAS SITTING WITH MY SON ON THE TAILGATE OF MY GMC SONOMA AND BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE CAUSING US TO FALL TO THE GROUND. I BRUISED MY BACK BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO GMC, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THEY HAVE NEVER CONTACTED ME SINCE THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT. *AK
TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES 2000 GMC SONOMA WHY NOT ON REALL WITH OTHER GM TRUCKS.MINE BROKE WITHIN 5 DAYS OFF EACH OTHER.NO WEIGHT AT ALL.*AK
Official recalls
300V258001 · Equipment:other:labels
Sep 8, 2000
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR AN INABILITY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHIN EXPECTED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A NEW LABEL FOR INSTALLATION ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE VEHICLE.
00V055000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Feb 28, 2000
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BASE BRAKES WOULD REMAIN FULLY FUNCTIONAL, BUT THE DYNAMIC REAR PROPORTIONING (DRP) SYSTEM, WHICH OPTIMIZES FRONT TO REAR BRAKE BALANCE, WOULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULE VALVE ASSEMBLY.
99V220000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Aug 11, 1999
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED, THE SEATING SEAL COULD BE BROKEN DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY, OR FROM EARLY ROAD INPUTS OR BRAKE FLUID CYCLING, AND A LEAK COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE UNION FOR SIGNS OF BRAKE FLUID, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW BRAKE PIPE UNION.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE02066 · Engine Stall Due To Fuel Starvation
Opened Sep 6, 2002 · Closed Nov 3, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Other; Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Gasoline
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Other
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
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