Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 GMC Sonoma, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 11 | 19% |
| Structure | 10 | 18% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 7% |
| Power train | 4 | 7% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 5% |
| Structure | 2 | 4% |
| Steering | 2 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
During an oil change I noticed unusual wear on the front passenger side tire. Upon investigation my mechanic found that the chassis was cracked which pushed the tire causing it to rub. Very concerned this could have caus
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 H
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SONOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE WIRE CABLE HOIST ASSEMBLY FRAY SNAPPED AND THE SPARE TIRE FELL ONTO THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE M
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY DISENGAGED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN IN THE ON POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS IN THE OFF POSITION, THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR EXTENDED CAB DOOR HANDLE BECAME FRACTURED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO T
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHILE BRAKING FOR A YIELD INTERSECTION ON 3/30/2012, APPROX. 10AM, IN DRY AND CLEAR CONDITIONS, BRAKES ON 2002 GMC SONOMA FAILED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP DESPITE HARD PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RAN THROUGH INTERSECTI
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
2002 GMC SONOMA ZR-2 EXTENDED CAB DOOR ENTRY HANDLE HAS FAILED 5 TIMES OVER PAST 6 YEARS. PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 84 | excellent |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 11 of them (19%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.