Most common 2003 GMC Sonoma problems
Share of the 39 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sonoma complaints by model year
Best Sonoma years: 2003, 1999, 2002. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996, 1998. Compare all years →
2003 GMC Sonoma recalls (1)
Equipment › Other › Labels
Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Remedy: Owners will be provided with correct labels and installation instructions. Owner notification began on June 4, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
What 2003 GMC Sonoma owners say
Brakes
While driving the truck the brakes failed, pedal going to the floor. Took the truck to a repair shop and they stated that all the brake lines were rusted through, and more importantly, where the leaf springs attached to the underside of the car was completely rusted and the truck was unsafe to drive. The shop could not repair the car, and knew no one locally who could repair the car. There have been numerous rust issues with the truck over the years as follows: spare tire mounting rusted through and the spare tire flew off the truck in traffic; the fuel line had to be replaced twice due to rust; and the rear brakes rusted and had to be replaced three times.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 MPH attempting to apply brake pressure the vehicle was involved in a crash and the frontal airbags did not deploy. The driver was wearing a seat belt and a police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle sustained frontal damage and was able to be driven home. The dealership was alerted but no appointment has been made for inspection. Updated 4/6/2006 - the consumer has back pain as a result of the accident.
Body & structure
The driver door seemed to be off the hinges which allowed air and water to enter the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer refused to correct the problem because they believed the consumer caused the problem.
I have a GMC"03"Sonoma 4x4 x2.....the front tires hit front sway bar each time I turn into parking spot,or just turn around.took to dealer they say it was a harmlesss side affect of the type of truck package I have!!both sides of sway bars show the rubbing...I have never heard of any car that allows the tires to hit any undercarriage part.what can I do?
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Sonoma. In June of 2004, the differential was failing and the paint was deteriorating on the vehicle. The contact attempted to repair the vehicle himself, but the part was unavailable. The manufacturer advised him to have the vehicle diagnosed. The contact feels that the part should be available and is not willing to pay for a diagnostic. The failure mileage was 45,000 and current mileage was 65,000. Updated 5/14/09 updated 05/14/09.
It has been determined that water has contaminanted the oil in the rear differential causing a mechanical failure. I have been informed that my extended warranty does not cover this issue even though GMC is aware that problem with a vent tube location is one source for water infiltration. I have a GMC document with specific instructions for mechanics to check for the improper vent tube location if water is indeed found in the rear axle fluid.
2003 GMC Sonoma engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 22 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 GMC Sonoma a good car?
Based on 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Sonoma rates better than average: 70% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sonoma at the same age. It is one of the best Sonoma years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 GMC Sonoma?
The brakes — 7 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year, most often about conventional › mechanical › linkage and cable. Next are the body & structure (6) and transmission & drivetrain (5).
How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Sonoma have?
There is 1 recall for the 2003 GMC Sonoma, the most recent from March 18, 2004 (labels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sonoma?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003, 1999 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995, 1996 and 1998. See the full GMC Sonoma years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Sonoma problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 43,000 miles; 61% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.