IllustrationNAR 03-24-2003 MR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST 2 TIMED THE GAS GAUGE REAR 1/8TH OF A TANK AND THE LAST TIME IT READ 1/4TH OF A TANK. T HE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE AND WAS A DESIGN FLAW. *JB
2002 GMC Sonoma
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 GMC Sonoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 57.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →57Owner complaints
Model-year median: 57
0Recall campaignsView recall details →
0InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
2002 GMC Sonoma
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 57 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 14 reports
- Structure: 13 reports
- Electrical System: 8 reports
- Latches/locks/linkages: 5 reports
- Unknown Or Other: 5 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
No recall campaigns in this snapshot.
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sonoma years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure 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
80–25K
1325–50K
1150–75K
375–100K
2100–150K
2150K+
39 reports with mileage · 18 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
3 reportsNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
I RAN OVER A PICE OF A TIRE IN THE ROAD. THE STEEL BELT APPARENTLY PENETRATED THE UPPER SIDE TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, OF THIN PLASTIC FUEL TANK. THERE IS A SHROUD BETWEEN THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE TANK, BUT IT DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE FRONT END OF THE TANK "ITS 2 INCHES TOO SHORT" AND THERE IS NO PROTECTION FOR THE FRONT OR …
Read full complaint
I RAN OVER A PICE OF A TIRE IN THE ROAD. THE STEEL BELT APPARENTLY PENETRATED THE UPPER SIDE TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, OF THIN PLASTIC FUEL TANK. THERE IS A SHROUD BETWEEN THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE TANK, BUT IT DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE FRONT END OF THE TANK "ITS 2 INCHES TOO SHORT" AND THERE IS NO PROTECTION FOR THE FRONT OR BOTTEM. THE TANK WAS BARELY SCRATCHED BUT WAS LEAKING THROUGH A PIN HOLE. THESE TANKS SHOULD BE PROTECTED BETTER OR MADE IF THICKER PLACTIC. A SINGLE STRAND OF WIRE SHOULD NOT CAUSE A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND SUGESTED I SHOULD PATCH THE HOLE WITH "JB WELD" EPOXY AS THE NEW TANK WAS $800.00.*AK
Recall campaigns
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.