2001 GMC Sonoma: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 89 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (31% of complaints); the 1999 and 2003 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2000
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Can not locate fuel lines for gmc. When I try to find the fuel lines it is marked that they are un-available.lines have rusted out and leak.had new fuel pump installed when this was noticed.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2016
“Driving in town ABS light & brake lights came on, no accident. Looking for recalls, technical service bulletins! Lights come on every time I drive truck, sometimes immediately. *js”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2014
“The foot operated parking brake broke under normal wear and tear. I had estimates that were well over $300 to fix, and have not yet had work done. I only park on level roads and hope transmission will hold in park. I feel this must be a defective part. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“In the last 6 years I have had to replace the ball joints; both upper and lower and shocks all around for the second time. I do not go out 4-wheeling and basically drive my vehicle only in town driving. I do not think these parts should be wearing out so quickly on this vehicle. *kb”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2011
“The tailgate cables both broke while a friend was sitting on the tailgate causing her to fall. She only weighs approximately 140 lbs. I had noticed that 1 of the cables looked weak prior to the accident, but the other seemed to be stable. Apparently neither of them were any good. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 gmc sonoma. The steel cables that held the tail gate snapped while the contact was seated on the tail gate. The contact suffered scratches on his arms and elbows. The dealer did not offer an explanation for the failure. The contact felt that his vehicle should be included in NHTSA campaign id number 06v066000 (structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments) for the 2000 gmc sierra. The failure mileage was 53,000 and current mileage was 54,000.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2007
“ABS failure at slow speeds-ABS tries to engage,brake is slow at first with noise and then ABS light appears and engages dangerous braking resets after turning off goes through it all again nest time you drive. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2007
“There had been a whining(like the old radial tires used to make) noise for about a week and I just figured it was the tires. It got loud on 8/24 and I stopped and put it in park, as I got out to look under the truck, it started rolling and rolled down into the woods, we have filed a police report and reported to the insurance company. We are trying to make arrangements to get the truck out. The drive shaft was lying where the truck was put in park.,,although the park did not hold. The drive shaft twisted and split,,,exploded by the looks of it. I have pictures of the drive shaft. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2007
“P235/ssr16 gdy bw eag g/a 96t 45k tire defect: tread separation from inner core. Original equipment truck. Defect occurred at less than 38,000 miles on vehicle/tire. Noted thumping noise while driving and severe shaking of front end. Took to dealer and they suggested contacting goodyear which has been done but no action to date.”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2007
“I was driving my husbands 2001 gmc sonoma from ohio back to florida when the driveshaft snapped and punctured a hole in the fuel tank and muffler. This event led to us having to replace the rear driveshaft, fuel tank, and he repaired the muffler. We researched gmc driveshaft failures on line and discovered that there were many complaints about the driveshaft breaking. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sonoma by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 GMC Sonoma reliable?
NHTSA has 89 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2001 GMC Sonoma. The most complained-about area is structure (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Sonoma problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 51,875 miles or less.
Does the 2001 GMC Sonoma have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning seat belts. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.