Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 180 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.4 times the median Sonoma year — the 2000 model ranks #5 of 17 Sonoma years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 9 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (43), brakes (40), and latches & locks (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
180
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
1
Investigations
17
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
9
Injuries
1
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body & Structure | 43 | 24% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 40 | 22% | ▲ up |
| Latches & Locks | 13 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 11 | 6% | — flat |
| Airbags | 11 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 9 | 5% | — flat |
| Suspension | 9 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 8 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Other | 7 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 6 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 5 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 5 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 3 | 2% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 3 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 2% | — flat |
| Lighting | 3 | 2% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT PAYLOAD INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL. THE PAYLOAD SHOWN ON THE LABEL IS GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM VALIDATED PAYLOAD. IF THE VEHICLE WERE LOADED TO THE INCORRECTLY LABELED PAYLOAD, IT MAY NOT RIDE AND HANDLE IN THE MANNER THAT THE DRIVER EXPECTS.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR AN INABILITY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHIN EXPECTED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE SENT A NEW LABEL FOR INSTALLATION ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE VEHICLE.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DISC BRAKES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MOTOR CONTAINING AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION SPRING CLIP. THIS CLIP COULD ALLOW THE MOTOR BEARING TO BECOME MISALIGNED. IF MISALIGNMENT OCCURS, EVENTUALLY THE ABS WOULD BE NON-FUNCTIONAL.
Consequence
THE BASE BRAKES WOULD REMAIN FULLY FUNCTIONAL, BUT THE DYNAMIC REAR PROPORTIONING (DRP) SYSTEM, WHICH OPTIMIZES FRONT TO REAR BRAKE BALANCE, WOULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULE VALVE ASSEMBLY.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: S -TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 2 WHEEL DRIVE. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD THE RIGHT-HAND ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE FEED PIPE AND/OR BRAKE CROSSOVER PIPE TUBE NUTS TIGHTENED WITHOUT SEATING THE PIPE-FLARED-ENDS ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND NORMAL ASSEMBLY AND VEHICLE INPUTS WITHOUT PARTIALLY UNSEATING. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKE NORMAL, EMERGENCY, AND PARK BRAKING PERFORMANCE."
Consequence
IF THIS OCCURRED, THE SEATING SEAL COULD BE BROKEN DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY, OR FROM EARLY ROAD INPUTS OR BRAKE FLUID CYCLING, AND A LEAK COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE UNION FOR SIGNS OF BRAKE FLUID, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW BRAKE PIPE UNION.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 GMC SONOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS LOOSE AND FAILED TO CLOSE COMPLETELY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PLACED A PIN ON THE BUSHING AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED UNDERNEATH THE CAB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER…”
“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…”
“I WAS SITTING WITH MY SON ON THE TAILGATE OF MY GMC SONOMA AND BOTH TAILGATE CABLES BROKE CAUSING US TO FALL TO THE GROUND. I BRUISED MY BACK BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO GMC, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THEY HAVE NEVER CONTACTED ME SINCE THE DATE OF THE…”
“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED OUT IN FRONT , CONSUMER HIT VEHICLE WITH FRONT END , AND DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OR WARNING OF DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAD $3,000-$5000 WORTH OF DAMAGES ,AND IT…”
“THE TRUCKS BEEN HANDLING FINE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE OIL PAN BLOWS OUT ON THE TRUCK AND I THINK IT THREW A ROD. WHICH IS NOT MY FAULT A PIECE CAME APART OR CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE CAUSING ALL THAT PRESSURE TO BUILD UP AND MESS IT UP. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION NOT GOING OVER 60”
NHTSA data argues against it: 180 complaints put the 2000 model at #5 of 17 Sonoma years. It is one of the Sonoma years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (43 complaints), brakes (40 complaints), latches & locks (13 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 GMC Sonoma. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonoma years to avoid are 1994, 1995, 1998, 1996, 2000, 1997. The cleanest record among Sonoma years belongs to 2004.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.