Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. While driving approximately 5 MPH, smoke emerged from the engine compartment and a beeping noise started. Also, the temperature control warning indicator illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and turned off the engine. The contact parked the vehicle on the side of the road and left it there for two days. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that four hoses attached to the radiator failed and the thermostat housing was damaged. In april, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic because it was experiencing a failure with the heater system. It was diagnosed that antifreeze was leaking from the radiator to the engine. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,856.
2012 Chevrolet Sonic engine complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 87, newest first, as owners wrote them.
In 2015, my 2012 chevrolet sonic had to have the fuel purge valve replaced. The car worked for a while after this. However, a few months ago, it started having a rough idle, with the rpms dipping up and down. The problem got worse recently, when the car actually completely died while making a left hand turn, almost causing me to get hit. Now, it is even worse. Now, in addition to the rough idle, traction control randomly engages even when I am not slipping, causing me to lose all power for brief periods of time, while in motion. The traction control is glitching so bad that it even randomly engages when I am completely stopped. This is a huge safety issue, and the dealership that sold me the car wants $113 just to tell me what is causing it, and how much it will cost to actually fix. There are no active recalls on this vehicle, but further research on the model I own, shows other owners having similar issues. Chevrolet has been no help
Major concern: my power steering failed. The dealer said the power steering column needed to be replaced ($1,300). The car has high mileage (excess of 150,000). I have had several cars with similar mileage but never had the power steering fail. Since this is electronic steering there doesn't appear to be any warning/no preventative maintenance. Fortunately I was not on the highway at the time this occurred but in the driveway after having driven several hours the same day. We checked for relays in the fuse box but none are marked for the power steering. There were at least two previous times when backing out of my driveway that the power steering locked up but then started working fine. Dealer could not find the problem for the first two incidents. My car has been sitting in my driveway since june 2015 because I didn't feel safe driving if even it was fixed. I've always owned gm vehicles (for 36 years) but the lack of concern about this problem prompted me to purchase a subaru. At the time of the steering failure I still owed 2 years on my loan. The second problem which I've complained about since the car was new was the transmission. There was always slow response when pulling away from a stop. It worsened after the car had been driven several hours. Again, nothing was diagnosed.
When I press the gas pedal the rpms shoot up but car excelerates slowly. It jerks hard when switching to another gear and takes several minutes to finally get to a safe speed. Sometimes the car struggles to go uphill and hardly able to reverse. Dealership cleared my engine codes during my last oil change. Check engine light came back on a week later, autozone pulled 3 codes (p0700, p0300 and p0717). Changed my spark plugs, used lucas oil/5.25 oz. Fuel treatment twice but still no change. Sometimes I can smell burning rubber. This problem makes it hard to safely merge onto highways and get through traffic lights fast enough. Now autozone has accidentally cleared my codes so I can't see if any of the above listed codes have been resolved.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the check engine and traction warning indicators illuminated continuously. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,581.
I was driving my 2012 chevrolet sonic commuting my grandchild to pre-k,pulling out from stop sign onto straightaway street crossing in front of distant oncoming traffic,and my car stalled,very scary as could have been very bad wreck with my grandchild being hurt as myself! Fortunately I let coast to side of street as I was only going 10 miles or less an hour when it shut off! It wouldn't start right off! It finally started after a few seconds,maybe 5 or more went by! This is very disturbing as it risks my life ,plus another also,as he is only 4 years old! I need to know if car is even safe to keep driving!
My mom purchased her vehicle and for this last year it has been nothing but issues. She took it and had it repaired because the oil light kept coming on and the gear shift sticking and the transmission. She took it to the dealership they charged her 400$. This is the second time. Autoplex in aransas pass texas. As well as charging her for a battery that was under warranty. The car is now undriveable as it wont shift at all. We again took it to the dealership. They are not very thoroughly fixing it. My mother is 74 and is on a fixed income. The financial repairs are ridiculous as well as the safety issue.
I bought this vehicle brand new. Paint started to loose shine about two months ago ( I personally wash the vehicle with properly cars wash soup). Took to dealership and they can't cover under manufacture warranty. Cost over $400.00. Check engine on. Took to dealership and they found two hoses damaged and thermostat leaking.
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.
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.
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.
Took my 2012 chevy sonic to the dealer today and was told that the cooling fan is cracked, the shifter assembly needs to be repaired (have had a problem with the key sticking for a few months now), and the check engine light was on because of an air duct outlet. Total repairs to be around $1,000. No idea why the cooling fan cracked on a 3 year old car with only 66,000 miles! #totally aggravated#
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was jumpstarted in order to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the battery was functioning properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,025.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. While driving 20-25 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the air duct/valve cracked and the transmission cable failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,765.
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.
When my wife places car in park, removes keys, the car will attempt to restart?!! Yes re-start<< this is very dangerous & I am fearful for her life!!!! 2012 sonic was purchased @ jon hall chevrolet in daytona beach, fl. In 2011. With 700+ miles on it already. I'd certainly appreciate somebody contacting them (jon hall) and allow her to take it in for a free repair. Car is used only for her to go to work & back. This car fairly new (2012) has defect in it from the day she received it ...plze do help. Her life may be at stake. (fire, explosion etc..)!!!!!!! [email protected]
Engine light came on. Took car to dealership to diagnose problem. Dealer codes: p0101, p0171, throttle body intake tube torn allowing unmetered air to enter engine. Repair cost about $450 please advise if this is frequent occurrence in chevy sonic my 12. Are there similar complaints subject to recall?
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 !!!
A few months after purchasing my 2012 chevy sonic, I've noticed a decease in power and hesitation in its automatic shifting between gears. I've taken it in several times with the same issue, and each time the service techs (even the service manager) has told me and explained that it is behaving "normal" and "to design". If it were "normal" why hadn't it done that driving right off the lot??? And why is it, years later, its shifting hesitation has gotten worse to the point of severe jerking as it shifts from one gear to another, as if someone were learning how to drive stick for the first time?????? There is nothing "normal" about how my vehicle is performing. It is complete[xxx] that I've been getting the run around about this issue for years. And they refuse to admit there's a problem, nor will they service it, which makes my vehicle ineligible to be claimed as a lemon, which it obviously is!!! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that antifreeze was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to find a leak and no repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate over 10 MPH. In addition, the vehicle stalled when idling and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
My wife was driving on the highway and it felt like transmission was slipping . We have a 6 speed manual turbo chevy sonic. While the car was under the 36000 warranty an engine fault light came on and we brought it to the dealer. I believe they said it had to do with turbo ? They repaired the fault and now at 50000 miles it appears the transmission has let go and/or clutch ? Recall 14234 appears to be what happened to our vehicle or the aforementioned turbo problem they worked on and want us to pay for something that maybe a recall item or faulty workmanship during warranty period.
Beginning from the first month of ownership. Approx. 28,000 mi. At cold start there is a rattle noise like metal on metal. Then will disappear right after. Has been getting worse/ louder. Hard shifts, loss of power. Now as of last night the check engine light is on and the car runs rough. High idle, stalls, knocking noises from engine. Fault code. P0011?
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 check engine and gear box warning indicators illuminated while the vehicle was in drive, reverse, or park. While traveling approximately 55 MPH on a major highway, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The contact stated that the gears were difficult to shift during the failure. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The dealer stated that the intake duct and boot needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v315000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
Current mileage is 26,985 1. Car seems to lose power when accelerating and hesitates (almost shutting down), it happens randomly while driving as well and is now happening more and more often. It' very dangerous when crossing intersections or making a right on red and especially dangerous when accelerating to enter a highway. 2. Rear suspension makes strange noises upon backing up/stopping; 3. Very bad odor coming from A/C vents....disgusting, almost smells like plastic burning or burning rotten eggs; 4. I hear strange noises in the back brakes, not constant but random and getting louder when it does happen; 5. Wiper fluid not working, I've been told this is a recall issue; 6. The automatic dashboard lights are constantly changing, most especially when turning the wipers on/off. It doesn't seem to matter if you're in complete darkness or daylight. 7. Sometimes the car will not lock until you put the key back in the ignition, restart the car, take it out of park and put it back in park. Sometimes I have to do this 2 or 3 times, each time getting back out of the car to try to lock it. 8. Steering this car on the highway at highway speeds is difficult...the car swerves and if it's a windy day it's beyond difficult to keep this car in the lane. Very dangerous. 9. The radio turns itself on and off as it pleases. It took me years to be able to finally purchase a new car and now there are not only 6 recalls on the car but I also have all the additional problems listed above. There's a 45 day wait to have the recalls repaired and event with that I am now going to have to take a day off of work without pay to get this crap all fixed! I feel like I have wasted my money. So much for expecting reliability and quality.
My vehicle has been a nightmare. In january I visited the dealership because my heater was not working. At that time I was told I would need to replace my battery soon that it had some leaking acid. Three weeks later I replace the battery. At that time the dealership installed a new battery and sent me on my way. Ive spent thousands since then repairing what the dealership described as a electrical nightmare. I also have told the dealership several times that there are transmission problems with my vehicle. I insisted they drive with me and although the transmission issues have been acknowledged, the dealership has been busy repairing the electrical damage of the battery, the have never touched my transmission. I still have transmission problems. My car hesitates and doesn't accelerate causing me to almost wreck several times. I also have had several ignition problems with my vehicle. One occasion my vehicle would not turn off. The key was in the off position but the car remained running for several hours until the battery was dead. Anther occasion I was pumping gas and the vehicle was turned off. My two young children were in the vehicle and the car started cranking itself. It attempted to start three different times. My car stalls at red lights and will decelerate in the middle of heave traffic. I am frightened to drive my vehicle and fear for me and my childrens safety. I have contacted gm several times and have had my car in for repair numerous times. My salesperson advised me to file a lemon law report and my mechanic described my vehicle as an electrical nightmare. No gm rep can explain why my vehicles battery would have caused this much damage being my car was less than 2 years old. Please help.
2012 chevrolet sonic. Consumer writes in regards to recalls and vehicle repairs issues. *smd the consumer stated the check engine light illuminated. The knock sensor and lower transmission mount were replaced.
For about a month now everytime I go to park my car my shifter get stuck and I am unable to put my car in park or take the key out. I went to the dealer ship and I was told I could spend $150 to get it looked at & then spend how every much money it would be to fix it. I don't have that kind of money for that at the moment but now its to the point where I cant even drive my car at all because the shifter always gets stuck and I cant get my key out to park or put it in park drive reverse etc...... ! ! ! I have seen that a couple people are having this problem so its not just my car. But since it gets suck I can be driving down the road and hit the shifter by accident and it will move the car into another position because it doesn't click witch means I can go from driving to it being thrown into park or reverse in seconds. That's going to cause a accident! I need this fixed I drive with kids in my car on a daily basis .......... Their is something wrong in the shifter.
A bad smell like rotten eggs, keeps coming out of the AC/c vents and the engine of the car. I changed the air filter and everything but nothing happen the smell does not go away.
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