10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,992 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 GMC Sonoma body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2001 GMC Sonoma Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Jan 222010

Sonoma

  • 43,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The tailgate cables both broke while a friend was sitting on the tailgate causing her to fall. She only weighs approximately 140 lbs. I had noticed that 1 of the cables looked weak prior to the accident, but the other seemed to be stable. Apparently neither of them were any good.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #22

Oct 092007

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 GMC Sonoma. The steel cables that held the tail gate snapped while the contact was seated on the tail gate. The contact suffered scratches on his arms and elbows. The dealer did not offer an explanation for the failure. The contact felt that his vehicle should be included in NHTSA campaign id number 06V066000 (structure: Body: Tailgate: Hinge and attachments) for the 2000 GMC Sierra. The failure mileage was 53,000 and current mileage was 54,000.

- Scherarville, IN, USA

problem #21

Feb 232006

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,700 miles
Owner sat on open pickup truck tailgate and both support cables failed simultaneously causing gate to fall downward until stopped by contact with the rear bumper. Replacement cables were supplied by the manufacturer, but installation labor was not funded. Failed parts are available for inspection.

- Lanark, IL, USA

problem #20

Aug 192006

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Failure of tailgate cable. The second cable is starting to bulge in middle, just a matter of time before that one goes. My wife and I were sitting on the tailgate when the right one snapped.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #19

Dec 262005

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,629 miles
Failure of tailgate cable. The second cable is starting to bulge in middle.

- Beckley, WV, USA

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problem #18

Sep 152005

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,200 miles
Tailgate support cable corroded and broke causing tailgate to drop onto bumper. Normal non-commercial use of my 2001 GMC Sonoma pickup. (I notice the GM has a recall if just this thing for 1999 and 2000 Silverado and Sierra but the same has happened on my Sonoma...not recall has been established.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #17

Sep 152005

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

: the contact stated the tailgate cables corroded and fractured. The dealer was spoken to verbally and determined the vehicle was not under recall for the tailgate corrosion. There is a NHTSA recall, # 06V066000, concerning the tailgate cables. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Long Beach, MS, USA

problem #16

Apr 062006

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,580 miles
: the contact stated while sitting on the tailgate, the cable attachment fractured without warning. There were no injuries. The cable, although encased in plastic, retained moisture and resulted in a rusting of the cable material. The dealer replaced the cable. 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.

- Old Tappan, NJ, USA

problem #15

May 162005

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
Tail gate cables rusted through and snapped on my GMC pick-up.

- Mcminnville, OR, USA

problem #14

Aug 202005

Sonoma 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Loading, unloading, and sitting on the tailgate of a 2001 GMC Sonoma lead to the failure of both of the tailgate cables. Both tailgate cables broke as a result of corrosion to the cables. Severe rust is visible on the cables. The cables snapped simultaneously while sitting on the tailgate of the vehicle, creating minor dents in the tailgate where it contacted the topside of the rear bumper. The tailgate cable and latch assembly are connected as one unit, with one unit on each side of the tailgate. Both units were replaced with new cables/latch assemblies purchased from a GMC dealership shortly after the incident. Both old cables/latch assemblies are still available.

- Ephrata, PA, USA

problem #13

Dec 262005

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Tailgate cable corroded and failed.

- Beckley, WV, USA

problem #12

Dec 042005

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The tailgate cable on my 2001 GMC Sonoma snapped when I sat on the tailgate while it was in the lowered position. It is obvious that the cable is corroded. GMC will not repair or replace the cables because the vehicle is out of the warranty period and there is no recall on the cables for this model. This is an obvious defect and has created a safety concern on this truck. As of this date the cable has not been repaired. Is there any recourse against GM to force them to repair this problem?

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #11

Nov 052005

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,400 miles
Both tailgate cables broke on my truck at the same time.

- Columbia Falls, MT, USA

problem #10

Sep 232005

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles
2001 GMC Sonoma, both tail gate cables broke when I stepped up on it to access the bed. The tail gate hit the bumper and was scratched and dented.

- Newton, NC, USA

problem #9

Apr 012005

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
To whom it may concern: I own a 2001 GMC Sonoma pickup truck. After very limited use of my tailgate I experienced a breakage of the cable that supports the tailgate on my truck. It appears to be that the steel cable has rusted inside its protective plastic coating causing the cable to weaken. The ends of these cables have a shrink-wrap material to seal out moisture but it look to have been improperly installed at the factory allowing moisture to enter and rust the cable. I have contacted GMC to no avail and they refuse to recall or fix this problem. Seeing as GM's larger trucks have a recall for the exact same problem I cannot figure out why the S10 / Sonoma pickup trucks are not covered under this recall. The only thing I can speculate is the replacement parts for the Sonoma tailgate cable cost $50 each from the dealer and no one has sued them for injury as of yet or they have settled out of court. This problem needs to be recalled before someone is injured or killed from a tailgate coming detached from the truck in question. Paul daubel ps: Here is a thread I started in an S10 truck forum. It shows that many others have experienced the same problem. www.S10forum.com/forum/showthread.php?T=175244&page=1&pp=30

- Fremont, OH, USA

problem #8

Aug 072005

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2001 GMC Sonoma end gate / tailgate support cables broke. Both at the same instant in the same location on the cable. This cable should be replaced by manufacturer as a faulty component.

- Mandan, ND, USA

problem #7

May 172005

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles
While loading a push mower into truck bed, cables snapped-rusted thru, black vinyl shield hide damage. I slipped off tailgate and cut my leg on side of tailgate while falling.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #6

May 012005

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2001 GMC Sonoma tailgate cables popped when loading the truck.

- Sorrento, LA, USA

problem #5

Oct 152004

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles
Tailgate cables broke on my 2001 GMC Sonoma. One person was sitting on tailgate, when second person sat down. Both cables broke and dumped them on the ground.

- Fairborn, OH, USA

problem #4

May 092003

Sonoma 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles
Both tailgate straps broke on my 2001 GMC truck. I also have a 1996 GMC truck and had the same happen with it.

- Lytle, TX, USA

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