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2003 GMC Sonoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 GMC Sonoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 57.

About this comparison →
39Owner complaints

Model-year median: 57

1Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
136
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

Structure
6Latches/locks/linkages
5Power Train
5Equipment
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
3Seats
3Tires
3Visibility
3Air Bags
2Parking Brake
2Suspension
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Electrical System
1Engine
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Service Brakes
1Steering
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

28 reports with mileage · 11 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 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

1 reports
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5,000 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS SINCE 5000 MILES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 9-10 TIMES. THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. CONSUMER HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED, AND BELIEVED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE STILL BAD. ALSO, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING BOX. …

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DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS SINCE 5000 MILES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 9-10 TIMES. THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. CONSUMER HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED, AND BELIEVED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE STILL BAD. ALSO, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING BOX. THIS WAS CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. WITH ANY WIND THE VEHICLE WAS BLOWN AROUND. THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DIDN'T WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID IT WOULD MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE, BUT IT WAS NOT STATED ON THE SERVICE REPAIR SHEET. AT ONE POINT LOCK TIGHT WAS PUT ON THE BOLTS TO KEEP THEM FROM COMING LOOSE.*AK THE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, THERE WAS A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10125412

Official recalls

1

04V132000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 18, 2004

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES INCLUDE INCORRECT STATEMENTS ON ONE OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

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.