IllustrationWHEN THE TAILGATE WAS IN USE BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS SNAPPED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
2000 GMC Sonoma
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sonoma years
Owner complaints for the 2000 GMC Sonoma are substantially higher than the model-year median of 57.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sonoma years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
2025–50K
1950–75K
1275–100K
5100–150K
1150K+
63 reports with mileage · 73 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
136 reportsTAILGATE CABLE RUSTED. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR TAILGATE TO MAINTAIN POSITION. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SIDE CABLE RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE IN TWO. BOTH CABLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *TC
TAILGATE CABLE FAILURE ON 2000 GMC SONOMA, CABLES APPEAR TO HAVE RUSTED, CORRODED THROUGH CAUSING TAILGATE TO HIT BUMPER, DAMAGE TO PAINT ON TAILGATE. REPLACED CABLE AND RIVET WITH AFETRMARKET CABLE
I WAS SITTING WITH MY SON ON THE TAILGATE OF MY GMC SONOMA AND BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE CAUSING US TO FALL TO THE GROUND. I BRUISED MY BACK BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO GMC, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THEY HAVE NEVER CONTACTED ME SINCE THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT. *AK
TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE CORODED AND BROKE.*AK
TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES 2000 GMC SONOMA WHY NOT ON REALL WITH OTHER GM TRUCKS.MINE BROKE WITHIN 5 DAYS OFF EACH OTHER.NO WEIGHT AT ALL.*AK
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE GAS PEDAL HAS COME OFF THE PEDAL. EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND IT IS SCARY WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWS TO 10 MILES PER HOUR AS THE ENGINE DROPS TO IDLE. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED IT WAS DAYTIME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A GARAGE WHERE THE…
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ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE GAS PEDAL HAS COME OFF THE PEDAL. EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND IT IS SCARY WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWS TO 10 MILES PER HOUR AS THE ENGINE DROPS TO IDLE. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED IT WAS DAYTIME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A GARAGE WHERE THE MECHANIC FIXED IT RIGHT AWAY, HE SAID THIS HAPPENS ENOUGH THAT HE KNEW HOW TO FIX IT EASILY. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AT NIGHT AND FIVE MILES FROM HOME, I WAS ABLE TO IDLE MY WAY HOME (FLATLAND) AND FIXED IT MYSELF IN THE MORNING. THIS TIME IT WAS IN THE MORNING AT THE END OF MY STREET AND I AGAIN WAS ABLE TO IDLE HOME AND FIX IT. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR ON THE INTERSTATE IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *JB
WE OWN A 2000 GMC SONOMA AND THE 3RD DOOR HANDLE BREAKS ABOUT 1 A YEAR. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY GM UNDER WARRANTY 3 TIMES BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE HANDLE HAS BROKE AGAIN. SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAS A SEAT FOR CHILDREN IN THE REAR AND WE USE IT FOR THAT, I AM CONCERNED THE HANDLE WILL BREAK IN AN EMERGENCY SITUA…
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WE OWN A 2000 GMC SONOMA AND THE 3RD DOOR HANDLE BREAKS ABOUT 1 A YEAR. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY GM UNDER WARRANTY 3 TIMES BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE HANDLE HAS BROKE AGAIN. SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAS A SEAT FOR CHILDREN IN THE REAR AND WE USE IT FOR THAT, I AM CONCERNED THE HANDLE WILL BREAK IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND WE WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE CHILD FROM THE REAR. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER SONOMA OWNERS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL AT GM DEALERSHIPS AND ALL AGREE THIS IS PART THAT ALWAYS BREAKS. I HAVE CONTACTED GMS CUSTOMER SERVICE # AND THEY HAVE STATED THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF DOING ANYTHING TO IMPROVE THE DESIGN OF THE DOOR OR RECALL THE VEHICLE FOR A PERMANENT FIX. THE PROBLEM COULD BE VERY EASILY FIXED BY MAKING THE HANDLE OUT OF METAL OR INCREASING THE WEB THICKNESS OF THE PLASTIC AT THE FRACTURE POINT. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAILED PART FOR INSPECTION.*AK
WHILE SITTING ON THE TAILGATE BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TAILGATE CABLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC
I WAS UNLOADING DIRT FROM BACK OF MY 2000 GMC SONOMA PICK-UP TRUCK WHEN BOTH OF THE TAILGATE CABLES BROKE, CAUSING ME TO FALL AND SCRATCH MY LEG AND DAMAGING THE TAILGATE FINISH AND HINGE. AS OF NOW NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.*AK
Official recalls
300V258001 · Equipment:other:labels
Sep 8, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT PAYLOAD INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL. THE PAYLOAD SHOWN ON THE LABEL IS GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM VALIDATED PAYLOAD. IF THE VEHICLE WERE LOADED TO THE INCORRECTLY LABELED PAYLOAD, IT MAY NOT RIDE AND HANDLE IN THE MANNER THAT THE DRIVER EXPECTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR AN INABILITY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHIN EXPECTED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A NEW LABEL FOR INSTALLATION ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE VEHICLE.
00V055000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Feb 28, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DISC BRAKES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MOTOR CONTAINING AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION SPRING CLIP. THIS CLIP COULD ALLOW THE MOTOR BEARING TO BECOME MISALIGNED. IF MISALIGNMENT OCCURS, EVENTUALLY THE ABS WOULD BE NON-FUNCTIONAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BASE BRAKES WOULD REMAIN FULLY FUNCTIONAL, BUT THE DYNAMIC REAR PROPORTIONING (DRP) SYSTEM, WHICH OPTIMIZES FRONT TO REAR BRAKE BALANCE, WOULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULE VALVE ASSEMBLY.
99V220000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Aug 11, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: S -TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 2 WHEEL DRIVE. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD THE RIGHT-HAND ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE FEED PIPE AND/OR BRAKE CROSSOVER PIPE TUBE NUTS TIGHTENED WITHOUT SEATING THE PIPE-FLARED-ENDS ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND NORMAL ASSEMBLY AND VEHICLE INPUTS WITHOUT PARTIALLY UNSEATING. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKE NORMAL, EMERGENCY, AND PARK BRAKING PERFORMANCE."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED, THE SEATING SEAL COULD BE BROKEN DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY, OR FROM EARLY ROAD INPUTS OR BRAKE FLUID CYCLING, AND A LEAK COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE UNION FOR SIGNS OF BRAKE FLUID, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW BRAKE PIPE UNION.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE02066 · Engine Stall Due To Fuel Starvation
Opened Sep 6, 2002 · Closed Nov 3, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Other; Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Gasoline
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Other
ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.