2002 GMC Sonoma SLS EXT CAB from North America - Comments

Driver's side seat lever broken.

Coolant leak in upper heater hose.

Differential leaks.

Thin paint - chips way too easy.

Seats wear too quickly.

Transmission slips at times.

Major 3 inch lean in left rear spring.

Tires are 60,000 mile warranted, but offer poor grip on the road.

I am not exactly sure what's going on at GM. I previously had a 1999 GMC Sonoma and it had pretty much the same issues. It also looks like GM is replacing some parts with cheaper equivalent parts to cut costs? Basically everything on this truck has been OK, however it needs everything done to it in order to catch these problems.

This would not be a good truck for your average drive n' go person. This is a mechanics truck. It needs constant attention and TLC. I would recommend you change the oil/filter every 3000 miles and transmission fluid/filter every 15000 miles to avoid problems. The manual is great and clearly outlines the required fluids/bulbs, etc.

Writing this review has prompted me to take the truck in to the dealer. I will get the lean and transmission problems dealt with now. It only has 10,000 miles on it.

I have heard that the engines are OK and I have the V6, however other problems may arise.

My suggestion would be to weigh the warranty with the price of the truck. Get a good bargain, dicker more if you can. I paid around $18,000 new. But I would have paid about $1000 less if I would have known about these problems.

I disagree strongly with report. My experience has all been positive. I have had no problems at all with my vehicle although I would agree that the tires could have been of better quality.

I have a 2001 GM Sonoma. Not many problems with it. it's have over 80,000KM now and the thing I noticed was poor tires. Replaced with Rough-riders.

Other problems I have is, rear door handle broke. Hitting bumps, feels like the rear end is going to run away from you, but that could be due to the bigger/stiffer tires I got installed.

Odd noise inside annoys me, like all these squeaking when hitting a small bump. Seems like everything inside the doors are loose and rattles.

Already had speed sensors replaced, wiper motor replaced (problem is still there, but minor), and the hood hinges replaced because when braking, you would hear them knocking (good for the next 6 months and now it returned). warranty is done.

Make sure you get extended warranty on the truck.

GMC makes really good trucks. For the last six years I have been driving GMC and I like them a lot better then the bow tie chevy's. The only problem I have with my current 2002 GMC Sonoma SLS Ext. Cab ZQ8 is the tires. Center tread wears out faster no matter what pressure is in the tire. That problem is with the tire manufacture not the auto maker. In most cases the tire manufacture replaces the tire if needed to.

I have a 2002 GMC Sonoma 4X4 ext cab with 90K miles. It seems like all the plastic around the doors etc.. is loose. The rattling is driving me nuts. How do you fix it? Also the 3rd door handle (plastic) has broken 3 times. The dealer told me it was a design flaw. Design Flaw??? "Then recall it and fix the problem." I told him. That got me nowhere. Finally I had a machinist friend make a new handle out of metal. It hasn't broken since.

Tires have barely any grip, but nice for burnouts. Lots of creaking, hood release doesn't work, truck seems slanted when parked, but lots of power and it's a nice light truck, throw on some wheel spacers and a wide body and the truck looks sick.

These trucks are poison - and the guy who said he likes them better than the Chevys - it's exactly the same as the S10. I have the 4.3; has good power but the truck is junk!

Paint flakes off bad, cab corners are known to rust out, the bearing assembly needs to be replaced all the time (bearing, ABS speed sensors, etc., the engine light is always coming on, not great on gas, poor payload (and brakes) for hauling/towing etc, electronic 4x4 works when it wants too - and the placement of the oil filter is the most retarded thing I've ever seen (definitely made for the mechanics so they can change the oil easily, not so good for the user off roads or hit snow bans at the end of the driveway).

I'll probably never buy another GM - no wonder they needed a bailout!!

I have a 2002 GMC Sonoma and I would have to agree that the trucks have so many rattles it is unreal.

The A/C is acting funny also. I am not sure actually what it is, but it doesn't want to stop running. Also have had a lot of radiator trouble.

I had kind of thought I was critical of the truck since I was driving a 05 Silverado and it is differently a step down. I will stick with Chevy's from here on out.

2002 GMC with the ZQ8 Package. Come on guys, I paid $4000 for this truck 2 years ago, I've put 58,000 miles on it (Currently 164K) I've replaced the front brakes, tires, intermediate shaft, spark plugs, and the fuel pump. Front end is still tight, and besides a little rust on the 3rd door the truck is still solid. Go buy a Toyota for $4000 and tell me what you get! You'll spend double in repairs/maintenance, but you will tell yourself it's alright because it's a Toyota and it's going to last you.

Sure the tires center tread is wearing faster, I would like a smoother ride, but it's a truck. The only real issue I have is the radio has a lot of static, and I've tested a different antenna/radio with no luck.

I have mixed feelings about these trucks. I have 2. My first one is a 97 Sonoma 2wd with a 2.2L manual transmission ext cab.

The only problem it ever gave me was the A/C compressor leaked the freon out of the front seal.

The wiper circuit board was replaced under warranty (known issue with all GM cars/trucks).

It does have this funny rattle that has driven me crazy trying to find, it seems to be in the dash up high. When you hit sharp bumps is when it's most noticeable.

I currently has 170k miles. No problems from my paint at all. In fact, it still looks as good as the day I bought it. Although I know how to properly care for a paint job as I am a painter, but only by hobby.

I liked it so much I decided to get another one. Only this time a fully loaded 02 SLS ext cab with a 4.3L automatic. Which now has 105k miles. Which has also gave me way more problems than my 97 did. Sort of.. all very minor problems. But being a mechanical type guy and a boat load of tools, none of them have been something I couldn't fix for cheap. Thermostat, gas cap (caused a evap system leak, throwing a check engine light) and the pass window came out of it's track. 3rd door handle broke. (another common problem with these trucks, which you can buy metal ones all over the net to get rid of the plastic ones, search for "3rd door handle").

And a very known problem that all the 4.3's will eventually need right around 100k miles, new intake gaskets. GM thinks a plastic gasket was a great idea...wrong! The coolant they use, (Dexcool) is known to damage certain types of gasket materials. GM had ultimately lost a class action lawsuit for this. But thanks to the bailout, the lawsuit is no longer valid. Or you could get them replaced for free.

The gaskets are roughly $50 and takes a mildly mechanically inclined person about 2 hours to replace.

The problem is, in the GM service bulletin, if you over tighten the intake, it will cause damage to the crank bearings and ultimately ruin the engine. (sounds crazy, but they claim it's not fiction).

My advice... look into a Colorado or Canyon. Both offer a inline 5 cyl which has more hp and torque than the 4.3, and gets better mpg. Same thing with the 4cyl engine, more power.