GMC Sonoma Brake Problems

Brake complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
  176
• Foundation components
  25
• Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
  12
• Foundation components › Disc
  9
• Antilock
  7
• Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  7
• Foundation components › Disc › Pads
  7
• Foundation components › Master cylinder
  4

Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  817%
• 25k–50k
  1430%
• 50k–75k
  817%
• 75k–100k
  920%
• 100k–150k
  613%
• 150k+
  12%

What owners report

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.

Tl 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.

Complaint covers sat oct 9th thru 10-14 2004 radio malfunctioning-1)took vehicle to jonesboro rd GMC dealer and complaint about radio first. Digital display showing one station and playing another. The panel gets very hot . Radio was showing issue at the time. Mark service advisor reached inside vehicle and began to press the buttons. They refused to document my radio problem at the jonesboro dealership. I called back and spoke to mark about documentation. He said he couldn't because the tech didn't see it. I advised him that he did and I asked him why did he push any buttons. At marietta, my truck had radio replaced twice during this week due to malfunction. 2) ABS braking failure, normal soft braking, truck will swerve to side and then correct itself, roll forward and then stop. Was told this is normal braking for ABS. …

I bough 2001-GMC-truck-Sonoma. As a left over. On January 11, 2002,is the date I received it ,that is when I bough it. On April 10, 2002 @\at 1160 miles,they replaced both of the front brake rotors. On August 14, 2003 at 7745 miles they replaced both of the rear brake rotors, and turned front rotors. Now as of jan212006,there is only 17,868 miles on the truck, it's always be garage keeped.and well cared for.it's still has the new small inside, now all 4 of the rotors and brakes haves to be replacd. I cannot under stand why its shouldbe up to me to replace with only then miles-per above.

Dt*: the contact stated while the brakes were applied at speeds of less than 10 MPH, the ABS engaged resulting in an increased stopping distance. The ABS light illuminated when the activation occurred. The brakes made a grinding noise and the vehicle pulled to the left. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer who replaced the passenger side wheel speed sensor. There is a NHTSA recall, #05V379000, regarding the anti-lock brakes. The VIN was not included in the recall. Updated 6/16/2006 -

I had a near death accidents (twice) due to catastrophic brake line failure from severely rusted brake lines the front left and the intermediate line from front to rear section on top of frame rail. First incident was at speed of 45 MPH on highway with hard stop required to avoid stopped traffic ahead. Second failure was more insidious with progressive brake line rust through/ leak spot to rear brake lines with fin through and failure. This is not complicated ... Simply substandard materials for one of the most critical components in a vehicle. It should not matter what conditions are (ie salt, cold, etc; design and materials should be mandated for brake lines not to rust through. There are materials which could be used to accomplish this, particularly for northern regions with salt on roads. …

Dt*: 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.

Related recalls (5)

NHTSA investigations