10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,215 miles

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problem #33

May 152006

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
Passenger and driver seats in my 2000 GMC Sonoma have seat positioning controls and locking mechanisims that do not always lock properly and/or get jammed up and have broken. A friend was sitting in the passenger seat and it failed to lock into place to keep it from sliding forward. I adjusted the bolts that fasten the seat to the floor of the vehicle to help 'realign' the seat frame so that the mechanism that keeps the seat from siding front and back would keep the seat locked into position once the seating distance is set. Also, the reclining handle on the passenger side broke off, not allowing for seat back support angle adjustment on the passenger side. The driver's side seat back support adjustment lever often 'sticks' or 'locks' into position....not allowing for seat back rest adjustment. Rear differential sometimes locks up and or slips and shakes and makes noise...especially when sideways force is applied...such as when turning in a curve or circular fashion with the vehicle in motion. Both tailgate support cables broke on the truck. Front driver's side bearing had excess wear and had to be replaced at 65 000 km. Driver's side wiper arm got dislodged from the shaft that turns it and was knocked out of position on 2 occasions. Power steering fails for short intermittent periods when the vehicle is first started from a 'cold' and 'warm' state and the steering becomes stiffer and less responsive. Most noticable at slower vehicle speeds.

- Oshawa, 00, USA

problem #32

May 062006

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,450 miles
Vehicle is 5 yrs old, not used for work, 2 nd tailgate cable/strap failure due to rusting of cable. No injury due to other side having been replaced 6 mos prior. New cable purchased and installed at owner expense. All parts saved and available because seems to be a material defect.

- West Seneca, NY, USA

problem #31

Mar 042006

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34 miles
While sitting on the tailgate of truck, both tailgate support cables broke. My tailgate has big dents where it came down on the bumper.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #30

May 092005

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 87,000 miles
: the contact stated while opening the tailgate both cables fractured without warning. There is a NHTSA recall, # 06V066000, regarding the tailgate: Hinge and attachments. The VIN was not included in the recall because of the year model of the vehicle.

- Grand Bay, AL, USA

problem #29

Feb 102006

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 51,002 miles
The tailgate cables broke(rusted through inside plastic covering) causing the gate to drop onto the rear bumper area, causing dents in the gate. I was very fortunate no one or anything was sitting on the tailgate. I feel GM should pay for the replacement of the cables and repair of the tailgate.

- Webster, NY, USA

problem #28

Feb 182006

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
My 2000 GMC Sonoma had the tailgate straps brake. When I took it in for repair I was told that although many other GMC trucks were recalled for this same problem that my truck was not included.

- Rhinelander, WI, USA

problem #27

Oct 192004

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,500 miles
: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked with tools lying on top of the tailgate, the tailgate cables broke without warning. Upon further inspection, the cables were rusted although the cables were covered by a plastic housing. The contact replaced the broken cables with new cables. There is a NHTSA recall, # 06V066000, regarding the structure. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 04/06/06.

- Casselberry, FL, USA

problem #26

Dec 032005

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I seldom use the bed of my truck but while climbing up onto the tailgate of the pickup, both support cables broke causing damage to the exterior of the tailgate. I fortunately was not injured. Both cables appear to have rusted through at the center of the cable where the bend is. I removed the ends that clip onto the gate, but the other ends are still attached to it. I have not replaced the cables.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #25

Oct 112005

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,500 miles
While cleaning the bed of my 2000 Sonoma out the left side tailgate strap failed midway on the cable. Upon inspection of the right hand side I found apparent corrosion in the same location and the potential for failure. If both had failed it could have caused injury, or damage or loss of the tailgate. Appears this is similar to failures and recalls of larger GM pickups recently.

- West Seneca, NY, USA

problem #24

Jun 072005

Sonoma 4-cyl Diesel

  • 41,200 miles
While resting a power washer on the tailgate of my 2000 Sonoma pickup to get a better grip both tailgate cables snapped causing the power washer to roll backwards, before we could react we only had time to soften the blow of the power washer hitting the ground causing minor damage to the handle. No visible damage to the tailgate and thank god no one was hurt, it's not easy trying to catch a 175 lb piece of machinery unexpectedly. It's quite evident that both of the tailgate cables failed due to corrosion as they both broke apart just about in the middle of the rubber coated cable.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

problem #23

Aug 072005

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 69,000 miles
The tailgate restraint cables broke at the same time with a normal weight man stepping on it. Almost caused him to fall to ground.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #22

Jul 152005

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
While climbing up into the bed of my 2000 GMC Sonoma both of the tailgate cables on my truck failed sending me tumbling to the ground. I was not injured but there was damage to my tailgate. There is now a dent that runs the length of my tailgate where it came to rest on my rear bumper. Nothing has been done to correct the problem yet as I am trying to find out if the tailgate cable is covered by the 2004 recall of the same cables that are used in other GMC truck models.

- Crestline, OH, USA

problem #21

Jul 122003

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The tailgate support cables on my GMC Sonoma broke at the same time. I went fishing and sat on the tailgate to put on my boots. Both cables snapped at the same time. The tailgate dropped to the bumper and dented.

- Sayre, PA, USA

problem #20

Jun 082005

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 68,000 miles
Cables that are attached the tailgate become rusted and corroded. They broke. Consumer's husband bought new cables. Consumer feels this incident should not have happened with only 68,000 miles on the vehicle. The same cables on the tailgates of the larger full sized trucks have resulted in a nationwide recall and this should be the same recall for the smaller trucks.

- Bethany, CT, USA

problem #19

May 012005

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 87,500 miles
My 7 year old son was opening the tailgate on my Sonoma when he dropped it. Both tailgate cables broke at the same time. Luckily he was not injured, but could have easily been. These cables appear to be in perfect condition except for the point at which they bend when the tailgate is shut. The coating had flaked off and the exposed steel cables had rusted through. The use of a better coating or stainless steel cables would have prevented this from happening.

- Mayfield, KY, USA

problem #18

Mar 022005

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
(2000 GMC Sonoma) the cable on the tailgate rusted through and broke while the consumer was standing on it.

- Midwest City, OK, USA

problem #17

Apr 102005

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Tailgate cables on 2000 GMC Sonoma pickup truck have broken. GMC/Chevrolet has a recall on full-size trucks for broken defective cables. (my 2003 Silverado was recalled and cables replaced N/C). GMC/Chevrolet needs to step up and recognize same safety problem also exists on the small trucks and provide N/C replacement of these cables. Both cables on my son's 2000 GMC Sonoma are broken. VIN [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #16

May 012005

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
2000 GMC Sonoma tailgate strap broke and rusted through. The consumer concerned about the possibility of the other straps breaking while loading or unloading the truck and the injuries which may result.

- Grafton, OH, USA

problem #15

Apr 012005

Sonoma

  • miles
2000 Sonoma recall to replace tailgate support cables that tend to fail due to rust.** answer required***. the consumer believed his vehicle should be included the a recall.

- Leetonia, OH, USA

problem #14

Sep 152004

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
While stepping onto the tailgate both support cables broke and cause the tailgate to drop completely. This condition causes the consumer to twist his right ankle when the tailgate drops unexpectedly. Both support cables show sign of corrosion. The manufacturer was notified.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

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