2003 GMC Sonoma
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 13 of 39 complaints (33%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 57 in 2002 to 39 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | vs. 2003 gas-powered vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–4,450 | 2,850–4,450 | 2,850–4,450 | 4,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–22 | 14–22 | 14–22 | 15 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–19 / 17–25 | 12–19 / 16–25 | 12–19 / 17–25 | 14 / 18 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–635 | 404–635 | 404–635 | 592 | |
| Complaints filed | 89 | 57 | 39 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Sonoma have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 GMC Sonoma?
Body, Seats & Latches: 13 of 39 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 GMC Sonoma get?
EPA rates it 14–22 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 GMC Sonoma?
EPA estimates $2,850–$4,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg | 22 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 14 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 12 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $4,450 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 04V132000 · Mar 22, 2004
Defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Consequence: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES INCLUDE INCORRECT STATEMENTS ON ONE OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS.
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.