2012 Chevrolet Sonic: engine overheating

Filed Jan 14, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · VA

We have had to deal with severe overheating issues and failing parts our entire ownership of this vehicle, both of which then cause other parts to fail, as the parts are so poorly made and heat sensitive. We have replaced the turbocharger (twice), intake manifold + valve cover (twice), catalytic converter, the radiator (THREE TIMES), the cooling fan (twice), the MAF sensor (twice), and much more. All of this has been done over the course of 18months. This has easily been the most expensive car we have ever owned due to the constant repairs, all of which has been because of Failing Parts and overheating.

Filed Mar 8, 2023 · Engine · MI

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine oil change services, there was an abnormal oil odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, smoke was coming from underneath the hood and after opening the hood, the contact became aware of a coolant leak. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 20, 2020 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 680,000 miles · AZ

I purchased a car from royal kia on may 29th a week later I felt a pool on the gas pedal took it in to royal kia and he said it was just a shifting gears second week almost died on me while driving it was between 2:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon it kind of felt like if it was overheated and every time I came to a stop and try to go it almost died took it back into royal kia they have been giving me such a hard time I don't feel it's safe for me I've tried to talk to him about give me giving me my money back so I can purchase something else it's safer I am not satisfied with this car the guy from royal kia the salesperson wanted to take it to green valley and to work on it at his house I refuse to let him do that until the manager umberto called me back and said that they would have their mechanics look at it but he was a certified mechanic I just didn't trust them I I've been afraid to drive the car of getting stranded somewhere this week on monday they finally gave me a rental I got things done in these past few days and I have when I bought my car

Filed Sep 10, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 47,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Apr 7, 2018 · Engine · CA

Coolant leak from water pump, applicable hoses and surge tank. Replaced water pump, surge tank and hose in 2016. Need to replace water pump, hoses and surge tank again in 2018. There is also an engine oil leak yet to be identified. 1.8 l engine.

Filed Nov 3, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 62,000 miles · AL

12/23/16, I purchased a 2012 chevrolet sonic. 4/6/17, I was at a traffic light when smoke come in the vents from the hood of the car. I called onstar & to run a diagnostic. The diagnostic didn't return any information & I contacted the dealer & took the vehicle for service on 4/9/17. I was told the thermostat housing was leaking and caused the smoking. The coolant system was flushed & filled & a gm oil, lube, filter change was done. The vehicle was ready for pick on 4/19/17. A few weeks later the car was smoking again. I called the dealer, I was told it was probably just fluid on the engine. The car continued to smoke periodically. 6/7/17, there was a large pool of oil under the car, I took the car to a local shop. They said that the oil had been overfilled & that it blew a seal. I called the dealer, I was told they did not overfill the oil & made another service appointment. I was told again there was a problem with the coolant system & the oil & that was the reason for the smoking. Repairs completed 7/10/17. 9/27/17, while driving the check engine light came on, so I called onstar for a diagnostic & they gave me an error code p0299. They told me that it was an airflow problem. I called the dealer & asked for the service manager & gave her the error code. She said there was a problem with the turbo & that I needed to bring the vehicle in. I took the car to them 10/3/17. 10/4/17, the service department called me & told me that the turbo on the car was bad. The repairs were completed on 10/12/17. 10/13/17 the car overheated. The vehicle was leaking coolant in two places. I took it to a different dealer & they said the t-joint in the coolant system was leaking. The repairs were completed on 10/18/17. 11/3/17 an email from on-star said there was an engine problem. I contacted on-star for a diagnostic & they said something is wrong with the coolant system.

Filed Oct 28, 2015 · Engine · 21,000 miles · FL

Car with 21,000 miles overheated while using the AC. Engine coolant alarm came on and I turned the AC off and light shut off also. Took it to an auto service chain and they diagnosed that the radiator fan motor had to be replaced. Cost: $463.

Filed Oct 18, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 51,611 miles · CA

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.