Illustration2001 GMC SONOMA TAILGATE CABLES POPPED WHEN LOADING THE TRUCK. *MR *SC *JB
2001 GMC Sonoma
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 GMC Sonoma do not stand out strongly from 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
1525–50K
1550–75K
775–100K
3100–150K
2150K+
48 reports with mileage · 41 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 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
89 reportsI HAVE A 2001 GMC SONOMA WHICH WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2002. THE VEHICLE HAS 78K MILES ON IT. AT FIRST THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TROUBLE STARTING. THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP WHEN DRIVEN COLD. AFTER THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, A CODE INDICATED THAT THERE WERE TWO SHIFT SOLENOID MALFUNCTIONS. BOTH SHIFT SOLENOIDS WERE REPLA…
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I HAVE A 2001 GMC SONOMA WHICH WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2002. THE VEHICLE HAS 78K MILES ON IT. AT FIRST THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TROUBLE STARTING. THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP WHEN DRIVEN COLD. AFTER THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, A CODE INDICATED THAT THERE WERE TWO SHIFT SOLENOID MALFUNCTIONS. BOTH SHIFT SOLENOIDS WERE REPLACED. THAT TWO DAYS AGO. TODAY THE TRUCK STARTED UP, SO THE VEHICLE WAS ASSUMED SAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A BUSY ROAD AT ABOUT 40 MPH, WITH AN 18 WHEELER TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND ME, WHEN THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF MALFUNCTION, SHIFTED FROM OVERDRIVE TO FIRST GEAR (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC) THUS RESULTING IN AN "ENGINE BRAKING" EFFECT WIHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN TO ABOUT 25 MPH. THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND LUCKILY THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND HAD ENOUGH ROOM TO SLOW DOWN. THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS NOT YET KNOWN, IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE ALOT "SERVICE BULLETINS" FOR THIS VEHICLE AND ITS CORPORATE COUSIN, THE CHEVY S-10. HOPEFULLY, THIS PROBLEM IS SOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED FROM THE FAILURE. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON WHAT PARTS WERE REPLACED/REPAIRED FROM THE DEALER.
TAILGATE CABLES BROKE ON MY 2001 GMC SONOMA. ONE PERSON WAS SITTING ON TAILGATE, WHEN SECOND PERSON SAT DOWN. BOTH CABLES BROKE AND DUMPED THEM ON THE GROUND. *AK
2001 GMC SONOMA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE FIRST TIME THE PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 35000 MILE AND NOW IT'S BEING REPLACED AGAIN AT 60000 MILES. *NM
FUEL PUMP, REPAIRS COSTING OVER $2000.00 IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. SEE THAT THERE IS A HISTORY WITH THIS VEHICLE PART SO WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A SOLUTION FOR ALL OF US OUT HERE. THIS IS RIDICULOUOS. IT'S ALWAYS THE FUEL PUMP WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. VERY FUSTRATING FOR SUCH LOW MILES.*AK
BOTH TAILGATE STRAPS BROKE ON MY 2001 GMC TRUCK. I ALSO HAVE A 1996 GMC TRUCK AND HAD THE SAME HAPPEN WITH IT.*AK
LEFT TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BROKE . *AK
WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FIXTURE SHEARED OFF. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE PART. *AK
BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE WHILE THE CONSUMER, WHO WEIGHED 155 LBS, WAS STANDING ON IT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. THE LEFT CABLE BROKE ON THE CONSUMER S-10. *NM
THE CABLES THAT HOLDS THE TAILGATE GAVE WAY WHILE CONSUMER WAS ON IT.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS NOT HURT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF. THE CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT GMC WAS ISSUING A RECALL AN AS SOON AS TH…
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THE CABLES THAT HOLDS THE TAILGATE GAVE WAY WHILE CONSUMER WAS ON IT.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS NOT HURT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF. THE CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT GMC WAS ISSUING A RECALL AN AS SOON AS THE REPLACEMENT CABLE ARRIVED HE COULD HAVE HIS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON JUNE 24, 2004. ON THAT DATE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WAS ONLY FOR THE FULL SIZE TRUCKS NOT THE COMPACT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AGAIN BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER FINALLY COMPLAINED TO THE GENTLEMAN WHO SOLD HIM THE TRUCK AND HE BOUGHT THE CONSUMER ONE OF THE TWO CABLES WITH HIS OWN MONEY. THE CONSUMER CURRENTLY HAS ONE NEW CABLE AND ONE HOMEMADE CABLE. *NM
Official recalls
100V228003 · Seat Belts
Aug 7, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
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.