10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,998 miles

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problem #5

Mar 202012

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • 64,988 miles
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 intersection almost colliding with another vehicle. When managed to get vehicle stopped and pulled to side of road, both the ABS and brake failure warning lights were illuminated on the dash. Upon turning the ignition off and restarting, both the ABS and brake failure warning lights cleared and were no longer illuminated. Check engine light never illuminated. Took vehicle to both independent mechanic and GM dealership mechanic and both confirmed an odb II trouble code of C0265 had been generated. This code, I was told, indicates failure of the ebcm (electronic brake control module) of the ABS system. Apparently, this problem is well-known to GM and it has issued several technical service bulletins on the problem, but no recalls. Independent mechanic could not replace the ebcm as lacked the proprietary GM software needed to program it. GM dealership mechanic--while confirming generation of the C0265 trouble code--refused to replace the ebcm instead saying I should "just drive it around and see if the problem happens again." This seemed a very dismissive approach by GM to a known problem on certain of their ABS vehicles as the first brake failure on 3/20/2012 almost caused a wreck. Not anxious to find out what the second failure the GM dealer wants me to "wait for" would result in.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #4

Mar 092012

Sonoma

  • 75,000 miles
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 brake failure, but was concerned it could suddenly occur. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Saltsburg, PA, USA

problem #3

Aug 042008

Sonoma

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 GMC Sonoma. While driving approximately 15 mph and approaching a stop light, the vehicle did not stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The brake pedal extended to the floor and the contact rear ended another vehicle. There were no injuries. The contact's son diagnosed the vehicle as having brake line failure. The air bags did not deploy at the time of impact. The current and failure mileages were 30,000.

- Niles, OH, USA

problem #2

Oct 142004

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • miles
While driving. The consumer heard a squeaking sound. The consumer found that the vehicle needed brakes at 29000 miles on the driver's side. The consumer took the vehicle in for an inspection and found that the vehicle needed new brakes on both sides. However, the dealer did not want to put factory brakes on the vehicle they want to use a product call dura stop.

- Union City, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 032004

Sonoma

  • miles
Letter informing of the poor, irresponsible service the consumer received at a Pontiac-GMC dealership service center. (nar)

- New Orleans, LA, USA