2003 Gmc SONOMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
39,120 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Equipment is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 39 complaints (7.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 20.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Equipment | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 2 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
Equipment: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 3; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 2; Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable: 2; Seats: 2; Structure: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2003: 4; 2004: 5; 2005: 9; 2006: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Equipment leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10026813 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THREE OCCASIONS AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS POSSIBLY THE WIRING HARNESS *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032135 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THIS STRUCTURE COMPLAINT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032135 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037255 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
FUEL FILLER NECK REGULARLY ALLOWS GASOLINE TO OVERFLOW WHILE FILLING THE GAS TANK. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. GENERAL MOTORS AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. THE FUEL FILLER NECK HAS BEEN NARROWED TO COMPLY WITH EMISSION STANDARDS. I OWNED A SIMILAR VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM. PRESENT VEHICLE IS 2003 SONOMA CREW CAB PICKUP, PRIOR VEHICLE 2000 GMC JIMMY. I WAS TOLD TO STOP THE FLOW OF GAS, REMOVE HOSE FROM FILLER NECK, WAIT AND THEN RESUME…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045938 · 2003-11-11 (November 11, 2003)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP IN CENTER OF WINDSHIELD WHEN ON, USUALLY AT EARLY MORNING STARTUP. WINDSHIELD WIPERS PARK IN CENTER OF WINDSHIELD. RENTAL VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050229 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING OR ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE GEAR SHIFTER POPS OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE RUBBER BOOT AROUND THE GEAR SHIFTER HANDLE SLIDES UP. THE DEALERSHIP SLID THE BOOT BACK INTO PLACE BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW BOOT BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051550 · 2004-01-02 (January 2, 2004)
I HAVE A GMC"03"SONOMA 4X4 X2.....THE FRONT TIRES HIT FRONT SWAY BAR EACH TIME I TURN INTO PARKING SPOT,OR JUST TURN AROUND.TOOK TO DEALER THEY SAY IT WAS A HARMLESSS SIDE AFFECT OF THE TYPE OF TRUCK PACKAGE I HAVE!!BOTH SIDES OF SWAY BARS SHOW THE RUBBING...I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY CAR THAT ALLOWS THE TIRES TO HIT ANY UNDERCARRIAGE PART.WHAT CAN I DO? *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051550 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051736 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
WHEN BRAKING LEFT REAR BRAKE LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO PULL TO THE LEFT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059311 · 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)
THE DRIVER DOOR SEEMED TO BE OFF THE HINGES WHICH ALLOWED AIR AND WATER TO ENTER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED THE CONSUMER CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *NM *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059311 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V132000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2004-03-18 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗