IllustrationNAR 03-24-2003 MR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST 2 TIMED THE GAS GAUGE REAR 1/8TH OF A TANK AND THE LAST TIME IT READ 1/4TH OF A TANK. T HE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE AND WAS A DESIGN FLAW. *JB
2002 GMC Sonoma
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 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
80–25K
1325–50K
1150–75K
375–100K
2100–150K
2150K+
39 reports with mileage · 18 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
3 reportsNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
I RAN OVER A PICE OF A TIRE IN THE ROAD. THE STEEL BELT APPARENTLY PENETRATED THE UPPER SIDE TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, OF THIN PLASTIC FUEL TANK. THERE IS A SHROUD BETWEEN THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE TANK, BUT IT DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE FRONT END OF THE TANK "ITS 2 INCHES TOO SHORT" AND THERE IS NO PROTECTION FOR THE FRONT OR …
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I RAN OVER A PICE OF A TIRE IN THE ROAD. THE STEEL BELT APPARENTLY PENETRATED THE UPPER SIDE TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, OF THIN PLASTIC FUEL TANK. THERE IS A SHROUD BETWEEN THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE TANK, BUT IT DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE FRONT END OF THE TANK "ITS 2 INCHES TOO SHORT" AND THERE IS NO PROTECTION FOR THE FRONT OR BOTTEM. THE TANK WAS BARELY SCRATCHED BUT WAS LEAKING THROUGH A PIN HOLE. THESE TANKS SHOULD BE PROTECTED BETTER OR MADE IF THICKER PLACTIC. A SINGLE STRAND OF WIRE SHOULD NOT CAUSE A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND SUGESTED I SHOULD PATCH THE HOLE WITH "JB WELD" EPOXY AS THE NEW TANK WAS $800.00.*AK
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.