Chevrolet Sonic jerking problems

Filed Dec 31, 2025 · Engine · IL

Around April of 2025, I noticed loud engine noises and cold start loud noises coming from the engine. My car has been in the shop multiple times since then and I opened a case with GM about multiple repair issues with my 2014 Chevy Sonic LT even though I take excellent care of the vehicle and perform all maintenance on the vehicle, and now this loud engine noise issue and leaking oil. I was driving home from a relative's home Saturday night Dec 27th late evening on the expressway when I noticed my car driving very sluggish and jerking and make extremely loud engine noises and continued burning oil smell in the cabin of the vehicle. No check engine light or oil light, now I had stopped by the service department earlier in the week when and oil pressure light came on, and they stated no issues. I made it home without incident, but the car was not running right. The car was brought to the dealership service department Monday Dec 29th, and they informed me they found broken plastic pieces of guard rails that secure the timing chains in the engine which may have caused serious damage to the engine. The dealership wanted 4k dollars to repair it after they could not properly diagnose a known online issue that I found out a lot of these Chevy drivers have found out about and having me repair other items on the car instead of fixing the leaking oil problem and whatever was going on in the engine. The manufacturer has not inspected this issue now only the service department at the local Chevy dealership has, however I had a case open with GM before this final incident occurred on Nov 1st after my last repair and complaint to the dealership about loud engine noises. GM would not take my concerns seriously and stated we are sorry, but your car is out of warranty even though this is a known issue of this plastic guard rail failing and other serious engine issues with Chevy. I would like the federal safety agency to be involved in this matter and investigate this matter if possible.

Filed Apr 24, 2025 · Brakes · 159,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on, the brakes, ABS, traction control, and braking system warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle took longer than normal to slow down. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle taken to a dealer where it was it diagnosed and determined that the brake booster pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

Filed Jan 24, 2023 · Transmission · PA

01.24.2023 Purchased Chevy Sonic 2012 three weeks ago (12.27.22) w odometer at 33,688 and manuf. date of 03/2012. It has multiple recalls, inc transmission, that GM has reported resolved. I have had to schedule a transmission rebuild for $3,200.00 in February. After pressing on gas pedal, the vehicle hesitates as though it is going to stall, then lurches forward. On open road it will buck. When slowing down to stop or make turns, it bucks and lurches. The problems duplicate those stated in almost all of the complaints reported on this site. If GM has reported this vehicle as properly repaired, then I am stuck. Also, the questionable low mileage of a ten year old vehicle and dates of the recalls make me wonder about where and when or if all the recalls were truly resolved. There is one accident reported on this vehicle, Sept. 2022; was the accident caused by the same powertrain related problems?

Filed Sep 28, 2022 · Transmission · 87,410 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while coming off the freeway at approximately 30-35 MPH, the vehicle began jerking. The engine revved up as if it intended to accelerate however, the vehicle would then jerk. The contact was able to coast to the destination driving approximately 5-10 mph. The check engine warning light illuminated with a trouble code regarding the engine. The contact who is a certified mechanic determined that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin the federal safety agency ID: 14V315000 (Power Train). The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where the vehicle was waiting to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,410.

Filed Aug 23, 2021 · Fuel system · 120,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, while attempting to start up the vehicle, the vehicle would not start immediately. The vehicle was making an abnormal knocking sound. The vehicle would jerk before starting. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as an issue with the fuel. The mechanic attempted to change the fuel injector to fix the failure however, the fuel continued to flow. The mechanic recommended that the contact reach out to the local dealer to have the vehicle inspected and repaired. The contact reached out to the local dealer to have the vehicle inspected but the dealer informed the contact that they would need to call back in two weeks to schedule an appointment which the contact attempted several times but was never able to schedule the appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

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 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).

Filed Oct 8, 2019 · Transmission · SC

My car jerks when it downshifts. It's been doing this about a year after I got it. Got it checked out at the dealership and they said it's not a problem. Fast forward...it's worse. The car jerks in second and first downshifting. Doesn't matter if I'm driving on the interstate or city street.

Filed Jul 29, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 71,000 miles · AZ

2013 sonic ls -from the start, the air conditioner doesn't work, the car was driving on freeway sways uncontrollably but seems like wind at first but there's no wind. It started jerking and hesitating, lights and radio flickering, when in motion in freeway, car started getting hot but not all the way over heating pulled over then the steering column locked in the turn to pull over, when stopped, the car RPM started revving but car wasn't going nowhere, then turned the car off after putting in park and and the key won't come out of the ignition...after wiggling the key for a few minutes it released. Towed the car to friendlies auto repair shop and told them everything that was happening they said they needed to replace the ratiator for $1400.00 and we paid it. However the car is still doing the same thing and the radiatir didnt fix anything we seen as being wrong. Now they said it's the compressor but we don't have additional money to continue fixing. I read online others with this car are having similar issues.

Filed Jul 2, 2019 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · VA

Transmission control module failed. When I was backing up, I felt a jerk and when I put it back in "drive", the "d" indicator light was blinking. I took it to the shop and they said the TCM had to be replaced.