2002 GMC Sonoma Consumer Reviews

Poor gas mileage/repairs under warranty?

Written by: Linda on 08/02/2006

Vehicle

2002 GMC Sonoma 4dr Crew Cab SLS 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I have a roar in the engine from time to time that sounds like I have shifted to 4 WD when it is definitely in 2WD. Taken in to the dealer and he can never hear that sound. Does not do it all the time but when it does it sounds like the engine is going to come out from under the hood. Been in the shop 5x with shifting problems, shims, water in headlamp, wind noise both front doors, very poor gas mileage empty load or pulling trailor. Would not recommend this truck to anyone.Center console is too small and tight up front. backseat leg area too small. Just me and the dog and still not enough room.Bummer cruise control. Cheap, would have paid the difference for a good cruise controller.

Favorite Features

Fog headlamps, good exceleration if you are willing to spend the money on gas. Tows well if the engine is not stuck in a windup mode. Headreast on passengers side are too high and dangerous blind spot.

Suggested Improvements

Go back to the design of 1997 and improve the gas mileage. Fix the seating so there is not a blind spot. Having to keep my truck for 7 days at a time to get the repairs fixed. Computer diagnostics did not work on my problems they had to run them down by trial and error!

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great truck

Written by: Jim woods on 07/19/2005

Vehicle

2002 GMC Sonoma 3dr Extended Cab SLS 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Leased this fine truck in March 2002. When the lease ran out, I was totally prepared to lease my third 4x4 Sonoma, only to find out they discontinued it for a goofy 5 cylinder replacement. So I bought my lease truck with 29,000 miles on it. The only trouble I've had is needing to replace the instrument cluster at 34,000 miles because both the temperature and fuel guages became intermittant. But,I really love this little 4x4. It's been reliable and tough, with gobs of smooth power. It still gets 19 mpg in town and 23 on the road, not too bad for a big v6, 4x4.This truck has not developed one single rattle or squeak since I first got it. All in all, it's a dandy.

Favorite Features

Solidly built, big V6, torque and power, third door, comfort, decent mileage

Suggested Improvements

Pointless now that the "5 cyl Colorado" has suplanted the great Sonoma.Too bad.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

1 fun ride!

Written by: LINMUP on 02/02/2005

Vehicle

2002 GMC Sonoma 2dr Regular Cab SLS 2WD SB (2.2L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I've had really good luck with my '02 Sonoma SLS 5spd. with a 4.3l V6. It's definitely a fast little truck with only a few small/cheap parts. Cold air intake and a hypertech chip and you've got a sport truck. I love blowing away the occassional sport compacts and full- sized "accessorized" trucks! Power-to- weight ratio...you do the math (275hp+small, light truck= HOLD ON!)

Favorite Features

Sleek, light, well geared truck (3.08 rear).

Suggested Improvements

Make the stock exhaust more throaty. It's too quiet!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Drinks like a fish

Written by: SwampRat on 11/11/2004

Vehicle

2002 GMC Sonoma 3dr Extended Cab SLS 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I like my 2002 GMC Sonoma, but it has terrible gas mileage. It averages about 13 mpg for me. My 1984 full size 4WD truck got better mileage (and that was a V8 compared to this 6-cylinder). Aside from that, it's been a good truck. It's comfortable, rides well, and I've had little in the way of problems. The rear left side's window's weatherstripping cracked, but it was replaced under warranty. As long as you can afford the gas for it, I'd highly recommend this truck. I've also driven Dodge and Ford compact pickups, and I'd definitely recommend the Sonoma over either of them. If you're going to get a truck like this, DEFINITELY get a 3 door. It's worth it!

Favorite Features

Push button 4 wheel drive. Intermittent wipers. Both CD and cassette players. Extra power outlets. Absolutely LOVE the third door.

Suggested Improvements

As previously mentioned, the gas mileage is really terrible. You couldn't afford to own this truck if you had a long daily commute.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

gmc items

Written by: hoss II on 10/13/2004

Vehicle

2002 GMC Sonoma 4dr Crew Cab SLS 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Vehicle needs aproximately 50 more horse power to be a good work truck. It suffers from a blind spot over the right rear corner due to the location and size of the c pillar and rear seat headrests. The fit and finish of the sheet metal (out of Linden NJ) was less than stellar. Warranty repairs to AC compressor, transfer case electric shift solenoid and air distribution system vacuum motors required

Favorite Features

Appearance is sharper than the replacement vehicle

Suggested Improvements

As I mentioned above, 50 more HP

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Like it...... but

Written by: B-man on 09/15/2004

Vehicle

2002 GMC Sonoma 4dr Crew Cab SLS 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I like my truck and plan on keeping it for a long time. The 4.3 has plenty of power for me although it is a bit thirsty. I haven't had any reliability issues at all. My complaints come from GM's classic little things like, I'm on my 3rd radio and this one is messing up. (out of warranty now) Wind noise from drivers door weather stripping. (that the dealer couldn't hear when it was under warranty) Intermittent wiper switch slowly faded and is now on a mood basis. Noise from the front right wheel well when I turn left and accelerate hard. Scared to go to the dealer on this one!! Only other complaint is gas milage. Tows plenty, but hauls nothing!

Favorite Features

Cd/cassette sound system(when it works),comfortable, spacious, good ride, acceleration, integrated fog lights in the headlights... cool

Suggested Improvements

Fix the freakin' radios and wiper switch!!!

Report inappropriate post

Solid reliable truck

Written by: Walt K on 07/11/2004

Vehicle

2002 GMC Sonoma 3dr Extended Cab SLS 2WD SB (2.2L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I have almost 50,000 miles on my 6 cyl extended cab SLS and it has performed perfectly ever since it was driven out of the showroom. Absolutely no mechanical problems at all. The ride is a little rough and the seats are not as comfortable as I would like. But the V6 is strong and the auto trans shifts nicely. I drive on the highway a lot and my gas milage averages just above 20 MPG.

Favorite Features

Reliability! (so far) Good power

Suggested Improvements

Seats could be more comfortable.

Report inappropriate post

I'd buy another...

Written by: barch97 on 08/17/2003

Vehicle

2002 GMC Sonoma 4dr Crew Cab SLS 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I've been driving this truck every day for over a year and it's still as pleasurable as my initial dealer test drive. Other than fuel and regular maintenance, it hasn't cost me a dime. Excellent value compared to others in class. Solid and comfortable transportation with added piece of mind from 4wd and anti-lock brakes.

Favorite Features

Ability to bring wife and kid(child seat)along and still have a pick-up.

Suggested Improvements

Could use 3 or 4 more gallons of fuel in the tank. Barely makes 300 miles on a 17 gal fill up.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Once the problems were fixed...

Written by: bigwarranty on 05/08/2003

Vehicle

2002 GMC Sonoma 3dr Extended Cab SLS 2WD SB (2.2L 4cyl 4A)

Review

The first 5 month of ownership were hell. The truck had water leaks like you would not believe. They fixed 5 different leaks 4 times, and replaced the rug and jute 3 times because mold from the water getting under the rug made the interior unhealthy to even sit in. LSS, the Division Manager met with me and gave me options. I wanted them to buy back the truck, but they wanted to charge me for miles. No way! In the end, I let them fix this truck "one last time" and I would agree to keep it if they gave me a 7 yr./100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. Once everything was fixed, I fell in love with my truck... and it smells like a new truck should.

Favorite Features

CD Player, leather wheel, tinted windows, ease of maintenance. Use AMSOIL and get AWESOME gas mileage (30 Highway/ 25 City). It can also take a lot of abuse. Love the Heavy Duty suspension I got.

Suggested Improvements

Make the arm rest flush with the seat when it is up. Initial build quality needs to be improved dramatically.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Why me

Written by: wacky! on 04/19/2003

Vehicle

2002 GMC Sonoma 3dr Extended Cab SL 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I had a 94 Chevy S-10 before and I loved it. So, I bought the truck I always wanted, a Sonoma 4x4 ZR2. Overall a good and nice looking truck with a nice ride. Nothing but problems with the transmission. Shifting problems, transmission leaks, trans fluid coming up the transmissin dip stick and driping on the exhaust manifold. Dealer has no clue what is the matter and GMC is giving me the run around! Too late for Lemon Law...Argh!! Do not know what to do!

Favorite Features

Stiff ride, third door, driver controls, Interior design, bucket seats, fuse panel under the hood,

Suggested Improvements

Better Gas miles, fix the transmission, turn the daytime running lights off, this is annoying, raise the front end, more room in the engine compartment, fog lights

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post