NHTSA Complaint #10091071 — 2000 GMC SONOMA

WE OWN A 2000 GMC SONOMA AND THE 3RD DOOR HANDLE BREAKS ABOUT 1 A YEAR. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY GM UNDER WARRANTY 3 TIMES BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE HANDLE HAS BROKE AGAIN. SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAS A SEAT FOR CHILDREN IN THE REAR AND WE USE IT FOR THAT, I AM CONCERNED THE HANDLE WILL BREAK IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND WE WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE CHILD FROM THE REAR. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER SONOMA OWNERS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL AT GM DEALERSHIPS AND ALL AGREE THIS IS PART THAT ALWAYS BREAKS. I HAVE CONTACTED GMS CUSTOMER SERVICE # AND THEY HAVE STATED THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF DOING ANYTHING TO IMPROVE THE DESIGN OF THE DOOR OR RECALL THE VEHICLE FOR A PERMANENT FIX. THE PROBLEM COULD BE VERY EASILY FIXED BY MAKING THE HANDLE OUT OF METAL OR INCREASING THE WEB THICKNESS OF THE PLASTIC AT THE FRACTURE POINT. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAILED PART FOR INSPECTION.*AK