2000 GMC Sonoma SLS from North America - Comments

The belt tensioner is an ongoing problem (makes the truck sound like it's powered by a hamster in an exercise wheel).

Daytime running lights went out, took the dealer almost a week to figure it out.

Wind noise through the windshield seal, dealer can't fix it.

Various squeaks and rattles have developed.

Seat-back recliner handle breaks easily due to poor metals (dealer fixed it under warranty).

I lost my brakes at 60mph (fluid leak), dealer fixed at no charge after the warranty had expired.

The rear-end makes a grinding noise every once in a while (open differential).

I bought this truck on a whim after wrecking my '99 GMC Sierra, a truck I truly loved. I wish now that I had stuck to the plan and bought another Sierra, but this truck looked so good sitting on the lot.

Consistently poor fuel economy (15-16mpg), dealer says it's normal.

It handles like a Camaro, but rides like a horse.

Thin body metal.

Easily-chipped paint.

Poor steering-stop design (metal on metal).

Poor turning radius.

Transmission has no idea which gear to be in during full-throttle maneuvers.

Less power than my '99 Sierra with the same engine, transmission, and rear-end.

It looks good.

It works hard.

A few weird and complicated designs on things like the door speaker brackets, headlamp assembly brackets, etc.

I also want to say that all vehicles have their problems, no vehicle is flawless. I probably won't buy another current-generation Sonoma or S-10, but then again who knows.

The tensioner can easily be fixed to eliminate that high pitched screaming noise that you described as "it sounds like its being powered by a hamster exercise wheel". I'm guessing YOU screwed up the brakes by pushing them to the limits every time you had the chance, it would have easily broke a brake line putting a lot of pressure on it all the time. There is no Sierra that has the same engine, transmission, and rear end as a Sonoma. A Sierra is far bigger, and far more powerful, seeing as how it's a full sized pick-up and the Sonoma is not. The Sonoma should be getting 20-25 mpg, but you're probably straining the engine trying to be a show off with horsepower. The windshield problem, I'm guessing the windshield will have to be replaced, because there is more than likely a leak in the urethane seal, which would require a new windshield. But this is true for any new vehicle, not just the Sonoma. And finally, the day time running head lights, if it took the dealership a week to figure out the problem then you need to start going to a regular shop. Which in most cases, for most reasons, a regular shop is just as qualified to repair or do maintenance work on your vehicle as the dealership is, but a fraction of the cost.

Our Sonoma has been a good little truck. We are currently at 80,000 miles and it's still doing well. The only problem we've had is the alternator went out, but we also run it a lot back and forth and run it at an idle for extended periods of time. The ABS system went out, but we've have driven it hard-doing 2 full cross country trips thru mountains and such from NY to California and back again a couple times, and from NY to Georgia and back at least 6 times. Now we're in Germany with it and run it on the autobahn everyday. So far the ABS and the Alternator have been our only major mechanical problems. I would think that for all those things to be going wrong with your Sonoma, that you have run it even harder than we have ours, and your prob too hard on the brakes and too fast on the acceleration. Sonoma's have to be babied with the acceleration and braking to keep running well. And you absolutely must keep up on reg. maintenance. My guess if you had done this, you wouldn't have all these problems. And your windshield seals were prob messed up before or when you first got it. I do agree the seat handles are cheap and break easily, but almost all new cars are made with cheap plastic parts. These little trucks don't have a lot of power, therefore they must be treated as such-so ease up on the gas and ease up off the brake and maybe you won't have so many problems.

I own a 2000 GMC Sonoma SLS Extended Cab. It currently has approximately 142000 miles on the odometer. It has been my commuting vehicle to work and back 104 miles a day for the last 5 years. To date I have not had any major problems that I would call drastic. The first year it died on my way home. The dealer replaced the starter, battery and alternator and I was back on the road. About a year later after the warranty was over the starter went out again. 500.00 to replace. and now the transmission went out at 140000 miles. Had a new one installed at the dealer for 2800.00 with 5yr 60000 mile warranty. Still, overall I would not knock the vehicle considering the abuse I put it through, driving at highway speeds and commuter traffic. Other than these problems the vehicle rides smooth at highway speeds and has plenty of power. It has been very reliable and comfortable. I plan to sell it for a premium price when I do decide to sell it.

I have a 2000 4x4 Sonoma 4.3L. Great looking, nice drive, gas guzzler. My 3rd door handle broke too. Paint chips easy too. My exhaust manifold gasket leaks, gotta do something about it soon. I just love that truck anyways. I don't like the 14mpg, and I don't get on it much. It gets up and goes like hell! No matter what I do I get 14mpg. They will never get better, the 20 to 24 is a 4 banger, 6cyl is a hog, still love my truck.