Chevrolet Sonic Complaints

954 consumer complaints on file.

#11624090November 7, 2024
ENGINE
I purchased this car 2 years ago and it has caused me absolutely nothing but trouble. We have replaced the fan 4 times (twice due to the resistor thats part of the fan failed), headgasket job, intercooler punctures (once inward, once outward), failed valve cover, intake maniford, turbo seals twice, failing check values, new relays for the fan (twice), another drive belt, and now I go outside and theres a puddle of coolant under my car. I have sunk over $8,000 into this car and it has been the worst financial decision ever. Why do the parts keep failing? Why isnt there a heat gage in the dang car so I know its too hot before the light comes on?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11622159October 27, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have had this vehicle for three years now and no matter of the repairs I had done to it by machanics the check engind light continue to turn on and the vehicle has shut down on the road and I can't find out what the solution is. I am afraid to drive it.Also the mylink radio which has all the vehicle settings in it has malfunctioned. I cannot get to reset veichle settings. Vehicle will not turn over on the first key turn. The engine turns over on the third or forth turn and when it dose there is a loud ratteling noise.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620044October 16, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Right Hand Steering Wheel Controls Inoperative, Outside Ambient Temperature Reading on Radio Display Inoperative, inoperative rear vision camera gridlines, and Onstar Menu Screen is Not Showing When Pressing Onstar Button. Inoperable radio steering wheel control buttons increase driver distraction risk in reaching for the radio display. Absence of rear camera gridlines reduce driver guidance in reverse. Onstar menu not starting in case of need. Reported in existing GM Technical Service Bulletin 16-NA-347. [XXX] ) Related to completed Key Chime recall completed prior to October 10, 2016. Current vehicle codes were reviewed by Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Southpoint, and no existing error codes related to the issue were presented. No warning lamps on, messages on radio display, or other symptoms. Errors all presented simultaneously with no warning. Appeared first June 2024. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619905October 15, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle keeps throwing error code P2138 there is a current known issue that GM is aware of see notice 070604019F. Water gets in the electrical connections of sensors and is an issue as it causes check engine light and can decrease power of the acceleration of the vehicle which is a safety hazard. My vehicle has been with the dealer now for a third time for same issue. They’ve had it for 3 weeks and 2 days total. Still an issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11616544September 26, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Code U0101 is set. Unable to communicate with TCM. Troubleshooted and found TCM is bad. Removed necessary components for tcm replacement. Removed the tcm/valve body assembly and replaced. Replaced necessary gaskets and reinstalled necessary components. Set transmission fluid level to specifications per procedure. Dealer advised they stock 3 TCM at all times due to many failures and demands of TCM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609919August 21, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Stalls when reduced speed. CEL constant. Codes indicate Emission promlem. Cleared by replacing intake valve. CEL came back on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11605355July 30, 2024
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while a friend was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly veered to the right and struck the curb. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front passenger’s side suspension had failed. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front driver’s side suspension lower control arm had failed and needed to be replaced, along with the front axle and ball joints. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 111,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11605200July 29, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while pulling into the garage, the high engine temp warning light illuminated, and the engine was overheating. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle. The contact stated there was coolant underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact had learned that the water pump failure was common for the vehicle and believed that the water pump had failed. The contact was able to identify an extended warranty for the failure. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure when it was confirmed that the VIN was not covered under warranty or recall. The manufacturer had referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11604956July 28, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Having trouble with leaks and the evap purge system. I repaired it three times. The vehicle will turn off while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603878July 22, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Was driving in heavy rain when car suddenly cut power and decelerated showed code 84 and the CEL came back with P2138. It is a known issue that rain gets up into the connector and causes a malfunction.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603088July 18, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
In June of 2023 I was driving my vehicle and suddenly the Traction Control, power steering and check engine light came on. I was able to get the vehicle safely home without the use of the power steering. Once I shut the vehicle off, it would not start again. I got the vehicle to my local dealership and they diagnosed it as one of the main wire harnesses was rubbing against a bolt near the battery, which is a known issue, and caused an electrical short in the system. It caused the ECU and electronic power steering to short out. They replaced the ECU, but have not been able to replace the eletronic power steering because it's no longer being manufactured. The vehicle at the time of incident was only 6 years old. I feel like this is a violation of the Magnuson-Moss Act. There are no third party vendors that make this part. It has only ever been available through GM directly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603215July 18, 2024
SEAT BELTS
The pretensioner cable that secures the end of the seatbelt to the seat frame had severed. I am told the pretensioner has a small explosive inside its barrel that I assume releases some sort of spring internally upon impact of a collision. The release of this spring is supposed to pull the pretensioner cable downwards and by extension pull the seatbelt end tighter. This in conjunction with the seatbelt retractor would then keep the driver or passenger tight to the seat in the event of an accident. I notice the cable for the driver side pretensioner over the last few months had strands of steel breaking until it had finally completely severed. I have kept both halves of the severed cable if inspection is requested. This is an extremely unsafe situation to occur. Had I gotten into an accident with the cable partially or completely broken it would have rendered the seatbelt essentially useless. There were no warning lights or associated codes ever displayed from the vehicle’s computer. There were no inspections done by insurance, police, manufacturer, dealership or any others. I ended up ordering the part online to fix myself. I used all manufacturers torque specs and procedures to replace. I fixed it myself because it was my daily driver vehicle and I needed to have it working safely as soon as possible. When I noticed the cable had completely broken I drove my vehicle home and did not drive it again until I had the new part and it was replaced which was about two weeks later. I had asked the dealer and searched for recalls for my vehicle and neither the dealer nor the nhtsa recall search showed anything regarding issues with the pretensioner cable. I did end up seeing GM had issued a recall for a similar pretensioner cable (about 2500 vehicles) for a few of their full sized trucks and SUVs. The claim was based on where the cable was in the vehicle it had abnormal amounts of metal fatigue from drivers exiting and entering. I believe the same issue happened to me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11598544July 3, 2024
AIR BAGS
The air bags deployed while the vehicle was in motion. No Collision or impact occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11596073June 24, 2024
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
"off" remains illuminated on my passenger airbag light whether or not someone is sitting in the passenger seat. It's actually somewhat rare to see "on" illuminated. There was a recall on this model for airbag issues but my vehicle specifically was not recalled. My vehicle was recalled for catalytic converter but I'm still getting codes. Most of the problems the Sonic has been recalled for, my vehicle has symptoms of but I get cannot afford to pay repair cost up front and I cannot find a mechanic who would be willing to take the steps to report my vehicle should've been apart of the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11595505June 20, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The ESC and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the Intake Plenum Gasket and other unknown parts needed to be sealed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,299.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11594533June 15, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car is completely shutting off all power while driving. The doors will start locking and unlocking and the no power at all. I have taken it to multiple mechanic and it reads no codes. It has done this to me on the Highway. car was completely stopped and i was very lucky a car did not hit me. it usually will start again after shutting down
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11590570May 24, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated the RPMs rose abnormally high. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone where it was scanned and diagnosed that the turbo charger had failed and needed to be replaced. The diagnostic scan retrieved DTC code: P0299. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11585587April 27, 2024
STEERING
Last week when I was driving my car on the street, and wanted to make a left the steering wheel was very hard to turn. And the next day It happened again , steering hard to turn and it’s been intermittent but not driving my car right now, thanks for your attention
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11585433April 26, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the entire vehicle was shaking. The contact stated that after the vehicle was left idling, the shaking and vibration diminished; however, when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle was slow to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle was slow to gain forward momentum while attempting to merge into traffic or ascend a grade in the road. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11585004April 24, 2024
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that there was fluid leaking from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a water pump and the thermostat housing failure. The contact discovered Technical Service Bulletin: 14371B; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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