Model year guide

2003 GMC Sonoma

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 GMC Sonoma is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 29 on record.

2003 GMC Sonoma — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 GMC Sonoma at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints40
Combined14–22 mpg
Typical price$4,255

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

2003 GMC Sonoma recalls 1

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #04V132000 · manufacturer #04021 · 18/03/2004

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. 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.

2003 GMC Sonoma common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Latches/locks/linkages
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2003 GMC Sonoma safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2003 GMC Sonoma Extended Cab. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2003 GMC Sonoma MPG & running costs

Combined14–22 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,958
EPA size classSmall Pickup Trucks 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,792 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.

What's a 2003 GMC Sonoma worth?

Low
$1,700
Typical price
$4,255
High
$7,300

From 27 comparable 2003 GMC Sonoma listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 GMC Sonoma costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,790
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,200
Total$21,990
Per mile$0.29

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($4,255) with the same model 3 model-years older ($2,921), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
190.2–206.3 in
Width
67.7–68.1 in
Height
62.2–63.4 in
Wheelbase
108.3–122.8 in
Curb weight
3,073–4,039 lb
Front track
54.7–57.1 in
Rear track
54.7–55.1 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2003 GMC Sonoma — ranges cover the 5 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 412

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 412.

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

Bulletin PIP5601C · Jul 2025

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Record…

Bulletin PIP4723J · Electrical System · Oct 2024

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures…

Bulletin PIT5099H · Sep 2024

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures…

Bulletin PIT5099H · Sep 2024

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in que…

Bulletin PIT3271P · Sep 2024

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exc…

Bulletin General Communication · Electrical System · Aug 2024

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more caref…

Bulletin 24-NA-141 · Power Train · Jul 2024

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce c…

Bulletin 16-NA-383 · Fuel/propulsion System, Engine · Jun 2024

This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.

Bulletin 18-NA-099 · Jun 2024

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.

Bulletin 24-NA-098 · Electrical System · Jun 2024

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SONOMA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2003 GMC Sonoma. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Label

On certain vehicles, the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) caution label contains an incorrect statement. However, in every case, the owner's manual provided with the vehicle correctly describes the acceptable rear-facing child seat location for the particular vehicle configuration. Correction: A correct pressure-sensitive sunshade label and instructions for its applicati…

Transport Canada #2004105 · Mar 2004

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the GMC Sonoma

The Chevrolet S-10 is a compact pickup truck produced by Chevrolet. It was the first domestically-built compact pickup of the big three American automakers. When it was first introduced as a "quarter-ton pickup" in 1981 for the 1982 model year, the GMC version was known as the S-15 and later renamed the GMC Sonoma. A high-performance version of the latter was released in 1991, called "Syclone". The pickup was also sold by Isuzu as the Hombre from 1996 through 2000, but only in North America. There was also an SUV version, the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer/GMC S-15 Jimmy. An electric version was leased as a fleet vehicle in 1997 and 1998. These models are sometimes internally referred to as the S/T s…

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2003 GMC Sonoma trims & engines on record

Trims
SLS · SL
Engines
4.3L 6-cyl · 2.2L 4-cyl

2003 GMC Sonoma vehicles on record

2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTDT19X538185361 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTDT13X03K146219 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTDT19X238258735 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTCS19X638131839 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTDT13XX3K149886 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTCS19X938178654 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SL1GTDT19X438288898 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTDT19XX38266503 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTDT13X73K145469 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SL1GTCS19X738233375 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SL1GTCS19X538200553 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SL1GTCS14H938242577 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SL1GTCS14X738282924 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTDT13X93K143299 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTDT13X63K101771 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTCS19X638175842 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SL1GTCS14H438214816 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SL1GTCS19X338130647 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTDT19X738230042 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTCS19X938266569 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SLS1GTCT19X338193454 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SL1GTCS19X338209137 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma SL1GTCS19X338190119 2003 GMC Sonoma 2003 GMC Sonoma1GTCS19X838224880

Other GMC Sonoma model years

2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

2003 GMC Sonoma — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 GMC Sonoma have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2003 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 done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Sonoma?

Across all 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, equipment, service brakes.

What is the 2003 GMC Sonoma safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2003 GMC Sonoma crash-test ratings of frontal 2★, side 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2003 GMC Sonoma get?

The 2003 GMC Sonoma has U.S. EPA estimates of 14–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (6 versions).

How much is a 2003 GMC Sonoma worth?

Comparable 2003 GMC Sonoma listings run roughly $1,700–$7,300, typically around $4,255 (from 27 vehicles).

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