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Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2003 GMC SonomaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 40 owner complaints for the 2003 GMC Sonoma. Most complaints involve structure (7) and equipment (5). The EPA rates it 14–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14–22mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Mar 2004
Owner complaints
40
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

EquipmentReported Mar 18, 2004NHTSA 04V132000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

40 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2003 – Mar 2020
  1. Structure7
  2. Equipment5
  3. Latches/locks/linkages5
  4. Power train5
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  6. Seats3
  7. Tires3
  8. Air bags3
  9. Fuel system, gasoline3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sonoma model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996156
1997125
1998172
199972
2000136
200189
200257
200340
20041
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

7 reports1 crash
“WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR UPCOMING LIGHT AND OUT THE CORNER OF MY EYE I SAW A DEER LEAP OVER TALL GRASS ON LEFT ONCOMING SIDE OF ROAD, WAS ALREADY AT 40 MILES HIT BRAKE TO HOPEFULLY NOT HIT HER SO BY THE TIME SHE AND I HAD IMPACT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING BOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR. TORE UP RIGHT SIDE OF FENDER, DOOR, HOOD, FRONT GRILL, AND SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE MOTOR, THE SENSOR LIGHTS NOW KEEP COMING ON SHOWING AIRBAG. ABC, SEAT BELT THE SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GOES OFF. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED WITH MACHINE AND IT SHOWS A RECALL ON THE LIGHTS IF A CRASH OCCURS IT WILL MAKE THEM MALFUNCTION. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2012Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Structure, Equipment, EngineCrash reportedODI 10472055

Equipment

5 reports1 crash1 fire
“2003 GMC SONOMA. CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE SUPPORT CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE RUSTED THROUGH AND THE TIRE FELL OFF, ROLLED DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT ANOTHER CAR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED NO DAMAGE WAS DONE AND THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2011Tires, EquipmentODI 10429873

Latches/locks/linkages

5 reports
“THERE ARE 4 LATCHES ON 2003 GMC SONOMA TRUCK AND THREE IMPACT PERSONAL SAFETY. TAILGATE DOES NOT AS PERSON DOES NOT RIDE IN TRUCK BED. THE PASSENGER DOOR LATCHES ARE METAL. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH IS PLASTIC AND BROKE AND HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE.BOTH TIME SAME DEFECT. IN EMERGENCY IF PERSON IN JUMP SEAT CAN'T GET OUT DUE TO DEFECTIVE DOOR LATCH. FOURTH LATCH IS SEAT RECLINES VIA LATCH. HANDLE HAS BROKE. IF SEAT RECLINES PERSON IN JUMP SEAT HAS TROUBLE EXITING VEHICLE. IF SEAT IS IN RECLINE PERSON CANNOT OPERATE VEHICLE SAFELY. LATCHES ARE PLASTIC. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 6, 2010Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10369302
All 2003 Sonoma problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 4.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sonoma 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192522$2,900404
Sonoma 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
Sonoma 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
Sonoma 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$3,800523
Sonoma 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,300592
Sonoma 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$4,600635
  • Sonoma 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Sonoma 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Sonoma 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Sonoma 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Sonoma 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Sonoma 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 GMC Sonoma as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 4747Vehicle 4746
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Sonoma questions

How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Sonoma have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 GMC Sonoma problems?

Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (7), equipment (5), latches/locks/linkages (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 GMC Sonoma get?

The EPA rates the 2003 GMC Sonoma at 14–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026