The Lemon Index
200120032nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: brakes
Better years to buy
35 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1982002 Chevrolet S-10 722002 Dodge Dakota 338
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 20,000 and 49,000 miles (31,000–79,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 35 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- GMC sent dealers 368 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Service engine soon lamp illuminated, incorrect transmission shifts, poor performance of…”?
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 35 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 19K to 49K miles (31K to 79K km) on the car (20 of all 35 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
Letter informing of the poor, irresponsible service the consumer received at a pontiac-GMC dealership service center. (nar)
2002 GMC Sonoma owner · NHTSA complaint 10064955
More owner reports
Brake noise rust on rear emegancy brake posible failur of emegancy brake and rear braks?
NHTSA complaint 10120937
While driving at any speed on flat surface and with no warning alternator overheated, causing engine to catch on fire. Consumer was forced to pull over. Dealer notified.
NHTSA complaint 8017881
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 2002 is the same generation.
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 368 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service engine soon lamp illuminated, incorrect transmission shifts, poor performance of…
- Some customers may comment that the service engine soon lamp is illuminated, no 3rd and 4th gear
- Hvac mode switch inoperative or stuck in vent mode, oil in hvac control head and/or vacuum lines
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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
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. 2002 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.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-sonoma/?y=2002" 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/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 GMC Sonoma reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 GMC Sonoma reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 84; 100 is average, lower is better). The GMC Sonoma year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2003.
What are the most common 2002 GMC Sonoma problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (26%), electrical (20%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sonoma have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 GMC Sonoma get?
14 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Sonoma problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 20,000 and 49,000 miles (31,000–79,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 35 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 GMC Sonoma have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 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 2002 GMC Sonoma have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl.
What GMC Sonoma year is better than the 2002?
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