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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.

About this comparison →
57Owner complaints

Model-year median: 57

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
57
1999136
200089
200157
200239
20030
20041
2005
Compare all Sonoma years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
14Structure
13Electrical System
8Latches/locks/linkages
5Unknown Or Other
5
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
4Exterior Lighting
4Power Train
4Fuel System, Gasoline
3Parking Brake
2Service Brakes, Air
2Steering
2Tires
2Equipment
1Seats
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Structure complaints

13 reports
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41,000 miles · Aug 5, 2005
Structure

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS. HE OWNED A GMC SONOMA 2002. ON AUGUST 4, 2005 CONSUMER LET TAILGATE DOWN AND DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF SUPPORT STRAPS BROKE , AND THE OTHER ONE RUSTED AND WAS ABOUT TO BREAK. HE THOUGHT THAT WAS THE WAY THE STRAPS WERE BENDING WHEN TAILGATE WAS LOCKED IN THE UP POSIT…

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DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS. HE OWNED A GMC SONOMA 2002. ON AUGUST 4, 2005 CONSUMER LET TAILGATE DOWN AND DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF SUPPORT STRAPS BROKE , AND THE OTHER ONE RUSTED AND WAS ABOUT TO BREAK. HE THOUGHT THAT WAS THE WAY THE STRAPS WERE BENDING WHEN TAILGATE WAS LOCKED IN THE UP POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE COATING TO COLLAPSE, ALLOWING THE CABLES TO RUST. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10131695

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2005
Structure

BOTH TAILGATE CABLES ROTTED AND BROKE IN HALF ON MY 2002 GMC SONOMA, ON 05/09/2005. THERE WAS NO LOAD ON THE TAILGATE AT THE TIME, BUT BOTH BROKAT AT THE SAME TIME (SIMPLY LOWERING THE TAILGATE).

NHTSA ODI #10120485

86,421 miles · Mar 28, 2005
Structure

SUPPORT CABLES BROKEN ON TAILGATE. BOTH HAVE RUSTED AWAY ON 2002 GMC SONOMA TRUCK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10114852

Official recalls

0

No 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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.