2016 Chevrolet Sonic engine problems

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Engine · CA

This car overheated and a head gasket blew. I am on a Facebook forum, and it seems like all of these cars have these problems. The Chevy Sonic ltz turbo 1.4 2016 is known for coolant issues and head gasket failures. My car only had 104,000 miles on it. It should last a lot longer than that, but this is a common issue. For some reason there was a recall but they stopped fixing cars with 1.4 engines that came out after 2014. There cars don't have temperature gauges and when they overheat they don't tell you until a light comes on the dash and by then it's too late and your engine is blown. This should be illegal. Chevrolet needs to fix this.

Filed Jun 20, 2024 · Driver assistance, Engine · 36,299 miles · NY

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.

Filed Dec 21, 2021 · Engine · 38,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle began to stall inadvertently. The engine overheating warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact's friend came on the scene and provided her with engine coolant, and she added the coolant to the vehicle. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the thermostat housing had melted and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times and the thermostat housing was replaced three times due to its plastic-based material. The contact stated that she was unable to drive the vehicle for more than an hour and a half without a reoccurrence of the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the head gasket had melted. The independent mechanic advised the contact to purchase a new vehicle like the engine compartment of the vehicle was poorly made. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to assist the contact with scheduling an appointment with the dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle's approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · NC

The heat doesnt work. Keeps blowing out cool air. This past summer the AC wouldn't work. When I took it to the dealership they said it was an electrical issue but they fixed it. I believe the two issues are related.

Filed Jul 30, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 14, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 100,000 miles · GA

Car hesitated to start after getting gas. When it does finally start it sputters and have to rev motor some to make it stop. Idles high. After get started and start to drive it it's ok, but when stopped at a light it idles higher. I have had the purge valve replaced, but it's still doing it.

Filed Mar 3, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Vehicle began having trouble with acceleration and jerking when stopped in july 2019. Took vehicle to a shop where it was suggested I replace the battery and the oxygen sensors. Both were replaced. Vehicle still continues to jerk and not properly accelerate. Vehicle drives smooth so long as their is a full tank of gas and its going a steady at least 40 MPH. When the gas gets below half tank, the vehicle will continue with the jerking and accelerating issue. Vehicle also has to be restarted numerous times after gas is put in.

Filed Jan 21, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 65,000 miles · WA

Purchased my car in october of 2018. In july of 2019, my check engine light came on, followed shortly afterward by the temperature overheat gauge. Took my car in and was told that my thermostat needed replaced and that this is common with my make/model. Replaced the thermostat. In january 2020, check engine light came on again, with a po599 code. Took it to local auto shop to have it diagnosed; they said that the check engine light came on when starting the car, so likely wasn't an overheating issue. They thought it was the sensors/circuits. After running diagnostic check, again suggested replacing the thermostat. This is now the second time the thermostat has needed replaced in the year and three months that I have owned the vehicle. When at jiffy lube, I was told that they had seen at least four other sonics come in with the same check engine code.

Filed Nov 20, 2019 · Engine · 50,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that the valve cover gasket became defective, the check engine warning indicator persistently illuminated, and the turbo engine's fins were bent. The contact took the vehicle to two independent mechanics to be diagnosed. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Oct 24, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · GA

I purchased my car on march 9,2019. In may I took it to the dealership [xxx] in moultrie, georgia where I purchased the car from and no one looked at it, it just sat out there. When I'm at a traffic light too long my car will cut off occasionally and always hesitate when accelerating even sometimes when I?m in reverse. I got my transmission looked at and nothing was wrong with it. One day after I stopped at the stop sign and accelerated my car cut off while I was already in drive and I almost got hit. I called the dealership where I got it from and told them that it was cutting while in traffic and he said all he could tell me was to keep driving it and he don't remember selling me no car, when I told him he did and his name is even on my paperwork listed [xxx]. Took it to a local auto mechanic shop and a friend of the family mechanic shop and neither shops could figure out what was wrong. In september I called the chevrolet manufacturing office and they told me to take it to the nearest chevrolet place. They looked at and couldn?t find anything and my check engine light wasn't coming on but they test drove it and seen exactly what I was talking about. They tried doing an industrial flush and it didn't work. They suggested my alternator be replaced cause it was reading a 15, serpentine belt and belt tensioner be replaced, I did that and took it to an auto mechanic shop since I didn't have a warranty. The problem isn't fixed and it still jerks and cuts off to this day. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).