2012 Chevrolet Sonic fuel system problems

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 Sep 11, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 9,000 miles · LA

Automatically stops

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 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 Aug 8, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 66,000 miles · RI

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited an abnormal exhaust sound. The contact checked the oil and an abnormal fuel odor emitted from the oil. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

Filed May 3, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · 75,000 miles · UT

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

Filed Feb 13, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 64,000 miles · MD

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.

Filed Oct 20, 2015 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 40,021 miles · OH

For 2 months my check emissions light was coming on and going off. According to my owners manual the gas cap or air filter need fixing. I went to autozone to get a free diagnostics reading. At the end of august my car started to hesitate , won't accelerate at take off. Then started heavy jerking at take off and when sitting still. I bought some liquid and changed air filter, same results. I called chevy dealer to have car checked under my powertrain and my emissions warranty. I have been trying to get help so I could get my car checked next friday on the 23rd. To have them look at my car. But on the 16th of october I'm leaving work I backed out of stall and pulled forward car was dragging roughly. I was waiting to pull out in traffic when car started jutting forward. I press on the gas went forward about 5 to 8 feet and then nothing. I was stuck inmid traffic. The reverse worked so I was able to roll out harms way.

Filed Sep 28, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 44,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jun 8, 2015 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 63,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. While driving 55 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began to jerk and the traction control and check engine lights appeared. The vehicle stalled and was coasted over to the side of the road. The dealer diagnosed that the fuel module failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 63,000.