My car keeps shutting completely off even while driving, the radio come on and off by itself and no one can tell me why, this is very dangerous I be driving with my children in the vehicle and the car shuts off while driving in traffic
2012 Chevrolet Sonic electrical complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 59, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The shift lever button will not release when in park, so the vehicle doesnt not read that its firmly in park; the key wont release and I cannot turn off the vehicle until the button unjams itself or I lubricate it to do so. This has been happening frequently. The only fix is replacing the entire shift lever, which is upwards of $300
While driving my car, the car looses power and began to stall. I've went to two chevy dealerships and two repair and no one is able to tell me what's the problem
Horn failure. Sounded my horn at another vehicle and the horn continued to sound even after I took my had off of it. This continued on for about 10 to 15 minutes, including turning car on and off, until the point the horn completely died on it. Horn has intermittently worked on and off for about 2 years now. I was driving on a highway on I-55 southbound between california ave and pulaski road in chicago. This is a major failure as it is a small car and larger vehicles (suvs/semi-trucks/etc.) do not always see me. Makes vehicle very unsafe to drive.
Attempted to start vehicle with key in ignition and also using the factory installed wireless remote starter while car was stationary however the car would not start initially. After another attempt or two the car did start. Also, on occasion after car does finally start, it immediately turns back off. Had car battery tested which that was not the issue. Took the vehicle to local mechanic and he found nothing wrong however while the car was sitting idle with the key in the ignition and turned off with no human interaction, the car attempted to start itself 3 different occasions. He recommended taking car to the chevy dealership and having them reprogram and inspect the remote starter connection/programming. Now the check engine light is on as a notification and the issue continues after mutiple days of repeat failed attempts to start whether from actual key or wireless remote start attempts. Whether vehicle was left inside garage or outside the issue is still the same, regardless of temperature.
We have 11000 miles on the car so we've not experience many of the mechanical problems many have, but ours is none less dangerous. The radio started coming on and off by itself. You cut it off when you get out of car, the radio comes back on .turn it off and it comes back on and overnight the battery goes dead. Stumbled on the dead battery issue after I replaced the battery and the same thing happened again. Once again, the last mechanic died at the local chevy place.they said they have one solution,replace the radio. They have no bulletons from the factory on it so just undo the audio fuse to save the battery, so we did and it did save the battery but no sounds in the car now.at all. With just 11,000 miles we've not yet experienced the horror stories about the motor and transmissions but have noticed, even with low mileage, I need to add some oil. Gm can't and has no desire to fix chevy problems. I think this has added tremendously to people stop buying their sedans and small trucks. It's not there service department fault. It's a faulty designs and engineering. I've had 4 unfixable major engineering problems in the past 20 years with their vehicles and this is the last chevy I'll ever buy.they need to blame their sales problems all on their product designs. It's not a dealer or service department issue. It's the design and engineering of these dang cars they build. Some times it's a dog in your own kennel that bites you. It's a engineer in their own kennel that is not the sharpest pencil in the box they're hiring to design systems and engineering their systems. They have idling problems with their colorado trucks and sticking this 4 cyclinder 2.7 cu.in motor in their big trucks, which already has cooling systems design problems, borders on lunacy. I'm done with chevy.
First issue was electrical issues (bad lights, unfunctioning controls, AC adapter would not give power, outside lightbulbs do not last, headlamp controls fell apart, mirror conrtrols fell off, vent controls fell apart. When electric window control stopps working and hisses and smokes when engine is turned on. I also have been shocked painfully when trying to get the AC adapter to work. Next came repair of the ignition switch.. I could not pass state inspection because my "check engine" light was on. In august 2017, car had engine misfire, which cost me repair on the fuel pump. A few days after that, the battery died and I replaced it. One week later,, it started to smoke under the hood and the car was overheating. Then a few hours later, electric was on and off but power to vechicle stopped.. This ended up being the serp. Main belt. Next came the ignition switch. (novembwr 2017) early 2018.. Ac adapter stopped working again, and it was replaced. A c stopped blowing cold air spring 2018, and within weeks, the window control failing again, I have had heat stroke twice. Window control unit smokes and hisses when I turn on engine. Window also cracked while driving 55mph. Plastic vents cracked outside therm fell off & plastic undercarriage cover ripped b4 aircond, followed by the fan. When I brought car in for airc, I was told I needed new rear brake pads and the radiator fan and compressor.. There is no therm for engine. Fixed only brakes. Car then began to overheat while in traffic. Replaced radiator fan 2 weeks later. . Still need new AC compressor. Window control began to fail again next. First time window conrol failed, battery died same night, and I had to get serp. Belt and new battery. New battery has already had to be jumped 3 times, and seems as though engine misfire is beginning again. Problems going uphill today.. Slow accelleration, unsteady fuel flow.
With the key inside the ignition turned to the off position the car tries to crank itself but won't actually start or stay running. My lights, radio etc have turned themselves on and off for no reason. The car has never tried to crank while driving but the radio while driving will shut off completely. No radio lights won't display time or anything. Now I am to the point where I have replaced the battery and the problem was resolved, for a couple of weeks now I'm back to the same problem. Unwanted cranking of the starter. The key dinging while placed inside the ignition is obsolete unless I wiggle the key around. Sounds like a faulty ignition switch. Car has been stationary and in park while trying to crank itself. Never in neutral or moving. Car is a 2012 chevy sonic. 1.8l ecotech motor.
The light my engine shows and it always smell labor ke oil
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that the key was unable to be removed from the ignition. In addition, the shifter fractured while shifting from park to drive. The vehicle was driven to a dealer (hennessy buick gmc, 7261 jonesboro road building 1, morrow, ga 30260, (844) 240-2377) for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. After the vehicle was driven for approximately ten minutes in the morning, the contact removed the key from the ignition. The contact stated that the vehicle attempted to crank on its own. The contact stated that the failure only occurred in the morning after the key was removed from the ignition. The failure occurred for approximately six months. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (centennial chevrolet in uniontown, pennsylvania), but was unable to replicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 43,642.
We do constantly are replacing parts we replaced the window regulator and not even a few months we ha ft to replace again the cooling lines are constantly going out thermostat has been replaced twice now within 2 yrs the seat warmers no longer work been like that the key gets stuck in the ignition had to replace hoses twice constant grinding sounds and no body can figure out why the car is a toy car everything breaks down and not just once
The vehicle's electrical system is malfunctioning, causing the speedometer display not to show up when the car turns on. It's also caused the vehicle to rev up and down while the car is idle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. While the vehicle was stationary with the key in the ignition, the vehicle started up without warning. The vehicle began to shake and the contact stated that the auto-start feature may have malfunctioned. On another occasion, while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle began to shake again and seemed as if it would stall. Bell pierre chevrolet in seattle, washington was made aware of the failures by phone. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 27,500.
My wife and I w'er hit by a person that ran a red light the car was tottled out with major front end damage no air bags deployed at all when the side air bags should have deployed but didnt causing my whole side and head smashing into the side driver door
There is no heat in my 2012 sonic, the heat is turn to the highest position but only blows cold air. Occationally the heat will start but when the car is not in motion there is no heat and only cold air.
Car will start by itself after key is partially inserted into ignition and car will try to start over and over if left in ignition when turning off. Took to dealer they blamed on aftermarket radio. However, I am pretty sure has done almost from the point purchase. Disconnected radio stuff and still does same thing. Car is stationary in park. No safety issue other than what is stated.
Power steering was not working as I was leaving the house, so I had the car towed to the dealer. Mechanic said the voltage from the battery was sporadic and prone to spiking. This spiking caused the power steering to fail, as this vehicle has no surge protector to protect electronic chips. Batter acid had also spilled out of both head mounts causing minor damage to other parts under the hood.
Vehicle started to randomly show check engine light on, smell of gasoline from time to time. Every time I would take it in the light would not be on so they couldn't help. Finally light stayed on and vehicle would shut off while I would drive, especially if I hit a stop light. I had to immediately take vehicle in and I had to rent a rental car so I can get to work that morning. Dealership called and said that it was a vacuum issue causing all the stalling and all the issues with the multiple lights on the dash. It turned out to be the air duct for the air intake box. This vehicle was very dangerous to drive and I have seen several complaints with same issue, vehicle is barely out of warranty and at 36000 miles but vehicle has less than 50k miles. I had to pay $350.00 for this incident and chevrolet will not cover it.
When putting my car into park the gear shift button is not releasing therefore the car can not be turned off! The service place is changing me $315 to replace the whole gear shift! Also gear shift is sticking not wanting to go into park!!!
Air bag light on dashboard came on, intermittently at first, now permanently. There are three (3) air bag related recalls for 2012 chevrolet sonics which detail the same symptoms. Nearest chevrolet dealer said this sonic is not part of any of those recalls but the problem seems to be the same. Is there any recourse to have the car checked at no cost to owner? Thank you.
My radio stays on in my 2012 sonic even after the car is turned off. The first time it happened I went out to start my car in the morning and it was completely dead. The car was jumped and started up fine. I drove the car for a few days without incident then I noticed the radio was coming on and off as I was driving. Even after it was turned off, it would just start playing. I contacted the dealer where I purchased my car and scheduled an appointment. Two days before my appointment the car battery was completely drained again in the morning. ( an extreme inconvenience and annoyance if you need to be to work on time). Again the car was jumped and started right up. The day before the appointment the radio was coming on and off without me touching it. I was so annoyed I pulled the button off. Luckily the radio stayed off. The next day I took the car to the dealer for the appointment and was told that the radio was damaged because I pulled the knob off. I was told $400 to replace radio and installation fees. Are you kidding me? The car is only 3 years old and I have to pay to replace the radio from no fault of my own? I did not get it replaced by the dealer. I was able to pop the knob back on in a second so I know the mechanic didn't try at all. They just wanted to replace with a new one and charge me. I have pulled the fuse and currently have no radio. This is my very first new car and I have had other issues as well, key getting stuck in ignition etc. I will never by anything chevy again!!!
1. Car loses power when accelerating/hesitation - sometimes almost feeling like the car will shut down. It's random but happening more often. Car was repaired once already for this, was better for about 3-4 months and now is doing it again. Extremely dangerous when merging onto highways or making right turns on red or switching lanes. 2. Wiper fluid was not working, recall issue, but not on my car. Repaired once and now not working again! 3. Something's wrong with electrical system, stereo changing stations, turning itself on and off, very loud screeching sounds occasionally, repaired with an update but still happening. 4. Very strange sounds coming from suspension, it started when backing up I was told they could not find a problem 2 times, however, now it's happening while driving, in reverse and it's getting worse! 5. Steering is very difficult on a windy day when on the highway. Very hard to keep the car in the lane. 6. Car feels like it's trying to accelerate when stopped at a light or stop sign with foot on the break. 7. Electrical system/interior lights all dimming when wipers are turned on. Service told me the wiper motor is a big drain on a small engine? Now my car is out of warranty and I still have all these issues!! I do not feel that this car is safe or well built. It took me over 10 years to get to a point where I could afford a new hello, went with chevrolet to keep it "american". I feel like I made a huge mistake purchasing this vehicle....updated 10/20/15 *bf updated 12/06/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked and the keys removed from the ignition, the vehicle attempted to restart independently and the check engine light illuminated. The failure recurred once. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
My radio will turn itself on hours after my car has been turned off. I've had to take out the fuse everytime I exit the car so the battery won't drain. I don't know where to begin with fixing this problem. It's been going on for a few weeks now. I've called to the dealership where the car was purchased and they said it was a manufacturing problem. Please don't tell me I have to pay for this out of pocket. From what I've seen there's a lot of these cases on the internet. So it's not just a random problem.
I am owner of 2012 chevy sonic, yesterday again - when I shut off my car ...it started back up again just after I shut the key off car was in park. Plze do h e l p - m e !!!
The button to release the car out of gear, and once in park that releases the key came apart. It has been sticking for awhile then all of a sudden, something sharp started poking out of the bottom of the button, and it has cut my husband's hand. Now the button barely pushes in and the car is very hard to get out of park.
First of all the windshield wiper line keeps popping of my car not allowing me to use my windshield wiper fluid so the tank is always empty. Second while driving my car radio flickers on and off and sometimes completely goes black not only that my car speedometer is electrical and after 30 min of driving says im going 20/34/whatever MPH it wants to read when im really going the hwy speed limit and I have often had to mess with the wires that run to my battery to turn my car back on since its the wires(electrical work and not the battery) my battery has been tested many times. Finally third the little shift button on my car keeps sticking and wont allow for my car to properly shift causing my car to over rev and not want to drive. Im now at 115,000 miles and every time I go to a dealership they say there is nothing wrong with my car when I know there is since I have been the one driving it and then they just give it back to me which still costs me money with no solution my cars state has just been getting worse and worse and due to limited income I cant afford to get a new one at this time otherwise I would have already traded this chevy pos in. I also called chevrolet's corporate office where the lady gave me a case number and never called me back like she was supposed to. While on the phone with her she told me that there was nothing she could do for my car since my car wasn't a recall but I find it odd that my car was made on february 28, 2012 which falls between two major recalls with problems similar to what my car has especially since one is the windshield wiper recall. So I believe that the chevy corporation as a whole doesn't want to take responsibility for their faulty car that they have made and when you take it to a chevy dealership they will continue to tell you nothing is wrong so that they just take your money and not fix your car. Unsafe&immoral.
1. Took car in to dealership in aug for check engine light on and coolant is low, car overheats. Car was in shop for almost 2 weeks (p/u sept 5th). They repl. Radiator, thermostat, sept 10 car stalls at major stop light and again at a stop sign. Engine starts making a loud noise and runs rough. Keeps stalling at idle. Take car back to dealer next day sept 11. They have the car for 3 weeks. P/u oct 7th after they repl the engine and some bolts. Sales agent assures me that there will be no more problems its fixed. 5 mins on the fwy at 70mph in fast lane at lunch hour car just turns off almost had a major accident trying to get over four lanes. Stops completely in the middle of slow lane by on-ramp almost was hit twice started the key and it turned on got off fwy and took directly back to dealer who called me three days later and stated that a connector was bad and thats why it turned off and they ordered the part and that should take care of the problem p/u car in three days. Sales agent called back day I was to p/u and said they were still working on it and I told him I want to talk with a supervisor I will not drive the car off lot, come to find out that day on the fwy that it had never been test driven. Contacting business bureau and attorney at this point.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that the horn failed to activate. The failure occurred on five occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the relay box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
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