The Lemon Index
200020022nd generation
About average · most complaints: brakes
44 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2001 Chevrolet S-10 912001 Dodge Dakota 2712001 Toyota Tundra 69
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 13 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 00V228003 (seat belts) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- GMC sent dealers 342 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Subject regarding general waterleak guide”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and GMC's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 44 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 60K miles (34K to 97K km) on the car (13 of all 44 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
When applying brakes, there was an extended stopping distance. Contacted dealer and the dealer was not willing to do anything.
2001 GMC Sonoma owner · NHTSA complaint 8010983
More owner reports
When depressing brakes pedal traveled to floorboard, causing extended stoping distance. Also, pulled hard to left and right. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information.
NHTSA complaint 879599
Consumeer stated that vehicle locks up when abs was applied and skid into uncontrollable stop. Also, rear end fishtails when accelerating.
NHTSA complaint 568108
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 3.7M views · 1994–2004 GMC Sonoma
- Transmission & shifter313K views
2001 GMC Sonoma Manual Transmission Fluid Replacement -EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 156K views · 3 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank262K views
How to Replace Fuel Pump 1998 - 2003 Chevy S10 GMC Sonoma (Easiest Method)Dustin T · 229K views · 4 videos
Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2001 is the same generation.
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 342 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding general waterleak guide
- Water leak in front floor carpet area
- Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc/oldsmobile and hummer: information on pitman arm shaft seal…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Seat belts · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine stall due to fuel starvation2002–2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl.
Every GMC Sonoma year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 7 older years (1994–2004, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 10 GMC Sonoma years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2001 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-sonoma/?y=2001" title="GMC Sonoma reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/gmc-sonoma/2001/">Lemon Index</a> (2001 GMC Sonoma reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2001 GMC Sonoma reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 99; 100 is average, lower is better). The GMC Sonoma year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2003.
What are the most common 2001 GMC Sonoma problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (20%), body structure (14%) and seats (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 GMC Sonoma have?
1 safety recall (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 GMC Sonoma get?
14 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2001 GMC Sonoma have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2001 GMC Sonoma cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 GMC Sonoma have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl.
What GMC Sonoma year is better than the 2001?
Nearby, the 2003 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works