Model year guide

2001 GMC Sonoma

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2001 GMC Sonoma is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

2001 GMC Sonoma — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2001 GMC Sonoma at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints90
Combined14–22 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2001 GMC Sonoma recalls 1

Seat Belts NHTSA Campaign #00V228003 · 07/08/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2001 GMC Sonoma common problems

Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

2001 GMC Sonoma MPG & running costs

Combined14–22 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,000
EPA size classSmall Pickup Trucks 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$8,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2001 GMC Sonoma costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,000
Fuel only$20,000
Per mile$0.27

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2001 GMC Sonoma trims & engines on record

Trims
SLS · SL
Engines
4.3L 6-cyl · 2.2L

2001 GMC Sonoma vehicles on record

Other GMC Sonoma model years

2001 GMC Sonoma — frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 GMC Sonoma have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2001 GMC Sonoma. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 GMC Sonoma?

Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are power train, service brakes, structure.

What gas mileage does the 2001 GMC Sonoma get?

The 2001 GMC Sonoma has U.S. EPA estimates of 14–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (6 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.