The Lemon Index
20022nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: body structure
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
21 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1302003 Chevrolet S-10 672003 Dodge Dakota 212
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 14 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 04V132000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- GMC sent dealers 411 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) is on; the transmission is stuck in third gear; and / or the…”?
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 21 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 5K to 35K miles (8K to 56K km) on the car (14 of all 21 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 standing on the tailgate the tailgate support straps snapped. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
2003 GMC Sonoma owner · NHTSA complaint 10109476
More owner reports
Consumer will provide information on this structure complaint.
NHTSA complaint 10032135
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 2003 is the same generation.
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 411 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) is on; the transmission is stuck in third gear; and / or the…
- Slip condition in 2nd, 3rd or 4th damaged 2-4 band 3-4 clutch on the 4l60e/4l65e automatic…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Equipment · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.".
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. 2003 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 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/gmc-sonoma/?y=2003" 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/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 GMC Sonoma reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 GMC Sonoma reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 67; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2003 GMC Sonoma problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (19%), transmission & drivetrain (19%) and brakes (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Sonoma have?
1 safety recall (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 GMC Sonoma get?
14 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2003 GMC Sonoma have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 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 2003 GMC Sonoma have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl.
Is there a better GMC Sonoma year than the 2003?
Not nearby: the 2003 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the GMC Sonoma years within 3 model years of it.
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