2001 GMC Sonoma Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the tailgate support cables, which corrode inside their plastic sheathing and break, usually while someone is sitting or standing on the lowered tailgate. Brake complaints are the next most common, describing ABS engagement at low speeds and repeated rotor work. Drivability complaints (stalling, transmission slip) and body/chassis rust are also reported, generally spread across a wide mileage range.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Tailgate support cables corrode and snap

   • 23 complaints (26%)
   • median 51,300 mi at 5.0 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2010

   Complaints describe one or both tailgate cables breaking, often while someone is sitting or standing on the lowered tailgate, letting the gate drop onto the rear bumper. Several owners say the steel cable rusted inside its plastic coating where moisture collected, so the damage was not visible beforehand. Owners report the dealer either replaced the cables or said the vehicle was not covered by a recall that applied to other models; some were told parts were on back order or that labor was not covered. Reported from roughly 26,000 to 133,000 miles, usually on trucks many years old and often after the cables had been used in wet climates.

   Recall 00V2280032 related service bulletins

   What to check: Lower the tailgate and look for bulging or cracks in the plastic sheath on both cables, and feel for stiffness or rust at the ends. Ask whether the cables were ever replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Tailgate support cable corroded and broke causing tailgate to drop onto bumper. Normal non-commercial use of my 2001 Gmc Sonoma pickup. (I notice the GM has a recall if just this thing for 1999 and 2000 silverado and sierra but the same has happened on my Sonoma...not recall has been established.”

   NHTSA complaint #10159861, filed 2006-06, 35,200 miles

   “To whom it may concern: I own a 2001 Gmc Sonoma pickup truck. After very limited use of my tailgate I experienced a breakage of the cable that supports the tailgate on my truck. It appears to be that the steel cable has rusted inside its protective plastic coating causing the cable to weaken. The ends of these cables have a shrink-wrap material to seal out moisture but it look to have been improperly installed at the factory allowing moisture to enter and rust the cable. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10134225, filed 2005-08, 55,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS engages at low speed; brake noise and repeated rotor

   • 14 complaints (16%)
   • median 33,191 mi at 4.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2014

   Owners describe the ABS activating during light braking at low speed, which lengthens stopping distance, and in some cases the pedal going to the floor or the truck pulling to one side. Complaints also mention grinding or scraping noise and rotors that needed turning or replacement within relatively short intervals, sometimes more than once. Dealers are reported to have replaced wheel speed sensors, rotors and pads, and several owners say the work was not covered or that the dealer declined to do anything. Reported from very low mileage (under 2,000 miles in one case) up to about 115,000 miles, with several complaints filed at 47,000-57,000 miles.

   What to check: Test the brakes at walking pace on a quiet surface to see whether the ABS light flickers or the pedal pulses, and ask for service records on rotors, pads and wheel speed sensors.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I think there should be a recall on all 2001 Gmc sonomas. Everyone I talk to have had to have there breaks replaced within 5000 miles. I just put breaks on my truck in september. They need the rotors turned again and I need breaks I have talked to the dealership and they will not do anything about them maybe you can”

   NHTSA complaint #10002698, filed 2003-01, 10,000 miles

   “The consumer stated that the mileage on the vehicle was under 14,000 miles. The brakes began making a scraping noise. The service dealer said the front brakes were heavily corroded, they were replaced. The radiator cap was leaking.”

   NHTSA complaint #10122105, filed 2005-06, 13,382 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Stalling, hesitation and hard starting

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine quitting without warning while driving or merging into traffic, and sometimes hesitating on acceleration or cranking without starting. Several owners report repeated visits where the dealer could not identify the cause, while others had the fuel pump, fuel pump relay, computer, ignition components or an air pump replaced without a lasting fix. Some complaints tie the symptoms to the check engine light and to fuel and emissions repairs. Mostly reported between roughly 10,000 and 56,000 miles, with some complaints filed with no mileage given.

   7 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the engine from cold and again after it is warm, and take a test drive that includes a hard acceleration from low speed. Ask whether the fuel pump, relay or ignition switch has been replaced and whether the check engine light has come on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have been dealing with balking, stalling of my vehicle. I have had several repairs/replacement of parts. The problem is still with my vehicle. I have had the computer replaced, the fuel relay pump, wires replaced, fuel filter, but I am still having this problem. It is intermittent, which makes it more scary.”

   NHTSA complaint #10139194, filed 2005-10, 36,000 miles

   “Nary 05/28/2003 the vehicle stalled out on four different occasions, fuel pump was replaced, and the power train control module was fixed. The consumer feels that the vehicle is a serious safety defect and noncomformity that leaves them an as well as other motorist at risk of a serious accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #10021720, filed 2003-05, 20,957 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slip, loss of gears and delayed engagement

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the automatic transmission slipping when cold, delayed or harsh engagement, and in some cases losing first gear and reverse; one complaint describes a shift from two- to four-wheel drive without input. Others describe trouble starting followed by shift solenoid codes, and a driveshaft that twisted and broke, with the truck rolling after being placed in park. Dealers replaced shift solenoids and diagnosed noisy transfer cases according to the complaints. Reported mostly between about 50,000 and 99,000 miles, with one complaint at 190,000 miles.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive from a cold start and note any delay or flare on the first 1-2 shifts, and check for whine or vibration from the transfer case and driveshaft. Ask whether solenoids or the transmission were serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10291037, filed 2009-11, 114,000 miles

   “Purchased truck in 2006. Mileage at 48,000. Trouble starting, fuel pump replaced. Oil cooling lines replaced. Subsequently, automatic transmission slips from 2 wd to 4 wd for no apparent reason. I have noticed that this problem occurs when accelerator is not depressed, and wheels are turned, to turn a corner or to turn into/out of a driveway. Usually there is a depression in path as well, I.e. Curb/dip at driveway entrance, pothole, etc. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10168398, filed 2006-09, 48,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss, radiator rust and sensor/emissions lights

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe coolant smell and leaks, with one owner told by an independent shop that heavy rust sediment had clogged the radiator and that hoses and related parts were replaced. Other owners report the check engine light returning repeatedly, with an oxygen sensor, a check valve and an air pump replaced in a short period. Reported around 45,000 to 78,000 miles, with one complaint at 13,382 miles for a leaking radiator cap.

   9 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and colour and look for sediment or rust in the recovery tank, and look for crust around the radiator, hoses and cap. Ask about the history of the check engine light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My truck radiator started to smell as if it had a leak. I took it to a radiator shop. This shop happens to be very close to the GM plant in dayton, ohio. The man took one look at the truck. He explained to me that all the radiators for this truck from the 2001 years were sent to him prior to installing. He said they had been left outside for a period of time and all of them had to be cleaned out because of heavy rust. He stated mine must of been missed. The rust in the radiator was so thick it was like mud! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10524047, filed 2013-07, 78,000 miles

   “2001 Gmc Sonoma sls. Started in may 2006 with 52,449 miles on vehicle: service engine soon light came on. Dealer identified bad o2 sensor and replaced ($253). Two weeks later at 53,131, ses light again. Dealer installed new check valve ($116). 3-4 weeks later at 53,892, ses light again. Dealer said water in air pump, replaced air pump and hose ($357). Now on 26 aug (54,084) ses light just came on again. In 60 days, the light has been cleared & reset 3 times with over $700 in repairs and now another trouble.”

   NHTSA complaint #10166633, filed 2006-08, 52,449 miles

Buying note. Check the tailgate cables, brake behaviour at low speed and transmission shifting on a cold test drive before buying, since these are the areas owners write about most. Ask for service records and confirm which recalls and bulletins apply to the specific vehicle by its identification number.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.