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GMC SonomaModel year report

2003 GMC Sonoma Problems

Complaints
39filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
39,120miles, 28 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 GMC Sonoma (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 2003 GMC Sonoma. The part named most often is brakes, with 7 complaints (18% of the total), followed by body and structure (6) and latches, locks and linkages (5). 28 of the complaints include a mileage, and 61% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 39,120 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 360 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 21 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Electrical system (1), Engine (1), Engine cooling (1), Steering (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “About a year ago had one steel brake linbe bust because of rusted. Now today in my yard hit brake pedal right to floor again. Rusted brake line again. Have other brake lines rusted very bad.”

NHTSA complaint #10537777, filed 2013-08, 43,239 miles

Body and structure: “Driving over a speed bump I heard my spare tire hit the ground with the support cable and other metal pieces. Looked under the truck and found that the cable just snap.”

NHTSA complaint #10353611, filed 2010-09, 135,000 miles

Latches, locks and linkages: “The contact stated the rear left door handle detached and moved freely when the contact attempted to open the door. This prevented the door from being opened from the outside. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, who was unable to determine the cause of the problem. The door handle had previously been replaced twice for the same issue, yet the problems persisted.”

NHTSA complaint #10172915, filed 2006-11, 6,980 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “It has been determined that water has contaminanted the oil in the rear differential causing a mechanical failure. I have been informed that my extended warranty does not cover this issue even though Gmc is aware that problem with a vent tube location is one source for water infiltration. I have a Gmc document with specific instructions for mechanics to check for the improper vent tube location if water is indeed found in the rear axle fluid.”

NHTSA complaint #10154676, filed 2006-04, 50,700 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

61% of the 28 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,000 and 64,420 miles.

18%0–1011%10–2532%25–5018%50–7514%75–1007%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (28 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 39,120 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’03’059’07’09’11’14’16’20
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 GMC Sonoma. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Sonoma · coupe not rated3 / 3———
Sonoma · extended cab not rated2 / 3———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 GMC Sonoma version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sonoma 2WD2.2L 4-cyl5-speed manual192522$3,050
Sonoma 2WD2.2L 4-cyl4-speed automatic172319$3,550
Sonoma 2WD4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic152117$3,950
Sonoma 2WD4.3L 6-cyl5-speed manual152217$3,950
Sonoma 4WD4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141815$4,450
Sonoma 4WD4.3L 6-cyl5-speed manual121714$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 GMC Sonoma → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 360 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 360 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Sonoma

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20033939,1201—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20025749,3000—19Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20018951,8741—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200013656,4003—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19995757,0000—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199815667,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199711166,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199614894,3266—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199521398,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1994224109,5002—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199358—2—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19922530,0001—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19912990,2431—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All GMC Sonoma model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 GMC Sonoma have?

NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 2003 GMC Sonoma as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 GMC Sonoma is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 7 complaints (18% of the total), followed by body and structure with 6.

Has the 2003 GMC Sonoma been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 GMC Sonoma get?

The EPA rates the 2003 GMC Sonoma (Sonoma 2WD, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 GMC Sonoma reported?

Among the 28 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 39,120 miles and the middle half falls between 15,000 and 64,420 miles; 61% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.