10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,021 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2000 GMC Sonoma:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #24

Apr 052007

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,500 miles
ABS & emergency dash lights will turn on/off intermittenly; no pattern as to when/how often. Had GM dealer check it. My ebcm had a short, if lights were on, had no ABS, just hydraulic if lights were off. I have ABS. Cost of new module is $1100; plus labor!! dealer suggested I live with it for cost of repair! I agreed, but worried that GM probably were ignoring lights & thinking they had good ABS!!

- Beatrice, NE, USA

problem #23

Jan 092006

Sonoma 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
: the contact stated while traveling 35 mph the contact depressed the brake pedal and it went to the floor. As an attempt to stop the vehicle the contact pumped the brakes., resulting contact in a rear end collision. This incident occurred on wet road conditions. The vehicle was towed to an independent towing service.

- Great Valley, NY, USA

problem #22

Aug 202005

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
Shortly after I purchased my 2000 GMC Sonoma [xxx] I had a "low speed activation" of the ABS. Some time later the brake warning light was activated. I took the truck to a GMC dealer and was told I had no problems, but they did replace the brake shoes. Ever since then the low speed activation would happen periodically. Recently, the problem has evolved to every day. And I believe this root problem is behind a lot of other brake problems I've had with this vehicle. Updated 07/18/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Watkins Glen, NY, USA

problem #21

Jul 282004

Sonoma 4WD

  • miles
After depressing brake pedal to make a stop brake pedal pulsated. This resulted in extended stopping distance.

- Streetsboro, OH, USA

problem #20

Feb 202002

(reported on)

Sonoma

  • miles
When traveling at highway speeds ABS light comes on, and brake light on dash blinks although brakes are not being applied. Brake light will stop blinking if vehicle is slowed down, but the ABS light will stay on until key is taken from ignition. Dealer has seen vehicle 3-4 times, and can not fix it.

- Greensboro, FL, USA

problem #19

Feb 042002

Sonoma 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 2 mph applied brakes, and pedal vibrated and went to the floor, no braking action. Vehicle hit garage wall. No injuries. Please add further details.

- Cadillac, MI, USA

problem #18

Sep 012000

Sonoma

  • miles
While consumer was driving at 40 mphvehicle died out. Towed to dealer. Dealer noticed that fuel pump needed to be replaced. This will be the third time.

- Holndel, NJ, USA

problem #17

Dec 012001

Sonoma

  • miles
While driving and applying brake pedal brake pedal nearly goes to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has replaced brake master cylinder. But, problem still occurs.

- Liberal, KS, USA

problem #16

Nov 012001

Sonoma

  • miles
Brake pedal almost goes to the floor causing extended stopping distance. Dealer has replaced master cyclinder which did not correct problem.

- Liberal, KS, USA

problem #15

Nov 092001

Sonoma 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was traveling 30mph, and upon making a turn onto a street vehicle shut off without prior warning. He lost steering, and threw vehicle in park. Vehicle stopped abruptly. Consumer's head went through the windshield. Driver's side airbag didn't deploy, and driver side seatbelt didn't hold him at all. Second incident occurred traveling about 65mph on highway, and vehicle shut down again. During both incidents ABS braking light appeared on dashboard. Dealership was aware of problem.

- Charleston, WI, USA

problem #14

Nov 062001

(reported on)

Sonoma

  • miles
When applying brakes pedal nearly goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Dealer replaced brake master cylinder which did not correct the problem.

- Liberal, KS, USA

problem #13

Dec 152000

Sonoma

  • miles
Anti lock brakes are inoperable. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide furthr details.

- El Pena, MI, USA

problem #12

Aug 012000

Sonoma

  • miles
Anti-lock system defective in strategy of operations. Seems designed for icy roads and activates under the lightest of braking applications on front wheels with 1-2 second recovery time (without brakes) with only slight pedal & slight wheel bounce. This happens with 1-2 passengers & about 75-100 pounds in truck ped (bed cover) on dry streets approaching intersection with ripples or potholes on one side with very light slow (grandpa style driving) light braking- front wheel senses the slightest lockup & deactivates brakes (1-2 second recovery time) & then reapplies. This has resulted in multiple times of leaving me in intersection with vehicles skidding to stop to keep from T-boning my vehicle. Have complained to dealership management, GM district field rep who tell me this stratedgy is normal. This stratedgy will get people killed if it hasn't already.they told me there is nothing they can do. This report is being made to hopefully force something to be done. I could do better job of preventing brake lock up using ancient mode of stab breaking if necessary but wouldn't need to under descibed scenario.

- Weatherford, TX, USA

problem #11

Dec 052000

Sonoma

  • miles
ABS pulled when two of the tires on vehicle were not on the same type of road surface, causing vehicle to crash, during the accident, the airbags experienced no deployment, the service manager agreed that the ABS was not functioning properly however the computer showed that none of the sensors failed.

- Presque Isle, MI, USA

problem #10

Oct 012000

Sonoma

  • miles
While trying to stop at slower speeds pedal will go all way to floor. Once pedal reaches floor there is no brake function left. No accident or injuries have occurred.

- Flagstaff, AZ, USA

problem #9

Dec 222000

Sonoma

  • miles
Maumee Ohio accident report #004028. Brake failure. Extremely cold weather, ten degrees Fahrenheit. Bumper-to-bumper traffic rolling downhill to a light. Both clutch and brake pedals were depressed with strong, steady foot pressure at 15-20 mph. ABS pulsing activated. Vehicle gradually slowed to 10-15 mph. But, other vehicles came to a complete stop in the same distance. So, a rear-end collision occurred at 10-15 mph. It is reasonable to speculate that the road surface was frozen. But, no ice was observed by either driver or by law enforcement. And all of the other (heavy) traffic stopped without incident. This vehicle also exhibits degradation of braking performance on rough pavement; the ABS kicks in with light brake pedal pressure at 15 mph even on dry pavement, so long as it is somewhat bumpy.

- Whitmore Lake, MI, USA

problem #8

Dec 202000

Sonoma

  • miles
While traveling 35 mph and approaching a stop light tried to slow down and brakes did not respond. Vehicle did hit another vehicle, driver was only person in vehicle driver was wearing seatbelt. Accident did occur with injuries.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #7

Sep 192000

(reported on)

Sonoma

  • miles
When applying brakes ABS system activates too quickly, causing a collision to occur.

- South Dartmouth, MA, USA

problem #6

Dec 061999

Sonoma 4WD

  • miles
Anti-lock brakes engage and pulsate to slow down but not stop when going over bumps on paved surfaces. Includes all speeds. On one occasion this caused me to proceed an extra estimated 15 feet into an intersection where an accident occurred. Dealership and manufacturer contacted and system checked. Was not satisfied with the inspection of the braking system. Since this incident, this has happened again, although with no resulting consequences.

- S. Dartmouth, MA, USA

problem #5

Feb 282000

Sonoma

  • miles
My 2000 GMC Sonoma pick up ABS brakes activate on a daily base. Under 20 mph and on dry pavement. When they activate they pull to the left that the right. Did they use the wrong tires?

- Longvalley, NJ, USA

Read the next 4 complaints »