2002 GMC Sonoma Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 23%of 57 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 GMC Sonoma, 23% of the 57 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 2002 Gmc Sonoma pick-up. I had the cables on the tailgate break when climbing into the back of the truck. I have found articles on this subject on the internet from news agencies that say Gmc would be sending out a letter to owners of the Gmc Sonoma's and s10 that would warn of the problem and offer an inspection of the cables and replacement of the cables. I never received the letter and the dealerships seem to know nothing about it.”
NHTSA complaint #10164921, filed 2006-08, 58,000 miles“On 30 oct. 05, I was preparing to load a motorcycle on the back of my Gmc Sonoma. After opening-up the tailgate on my Gmc Sonoma, I proceeded to step on the tailgate. Both tailgate cables snapped causing the tailgate to slam down on the bumper causing me to fall to the ground. I was not injured, but was thankful that it broke before and not during the loading of the truck. Both cables snapped exactly in the same spot. Cables showed signs of corrosion inside the cable.”
NHTSA complaint #10148129, filed 2006-01, 33,000 miles“The 3rd door on ext cab. The door does not open. Was told by dealer this is major complaints for these 3rd models. Have to replace pins or something, but it keeps happening. This a a life & death hazard & defect. Why hasn't this been recalled? In an accident, (rear ended) the door could not be opened.”
NHTSA complaint #10782137, filed 2015-10, 194,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10131695, filed 2005-08, 41,000 miles“I have owned this vehicle since 2002, bought it brand new. The third door handle has been replaced 4 times, today it broke again. If someone were in the back of the cab and had to get out, they could not. This handle is plastic and breaks continuously. The chevy house informed me that they have this part in stock all the time because it happens quite often. They replaced it 4 times while it was under warranty. It is not under warranty now, so I will have to pay for it. This item should be corrected and made into a heavier material and made a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10244347, filed 2008-10Related service bulletins
- 10237648May 9, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10213818May 31, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10211764Apr 13, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10197294May 12, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10154601Dec 17, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10113406Feb 8, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10114913Oct 20, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10114894Oct 14, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately…
- 10114448Apr 1, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 6 | 15% |
| 2002 | 13 | 23% |
| 2001 | 26 | 29% |
| 2000 | 41 | 30% |
| 1999 | 8 | 14% |
| 1998 | 14 | 9% |
| 1997 | 5 | 5% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 4% |
| 1991 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2002 GMC Sonoma
16 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 GMC Sonoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology