2013 Chevrolet Sonic

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2019· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINECrash

  I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND WAS COMING UP TO AN INTERSECTION I HAD TO TURN AT. I PUSHED THE BREAK PEDAL, BUT IT WAS REALLY STIFF AND DIDN'T DO MUCH. MY CAR SLID ACROSS THE ROAD INTO A WOODEN ELECTRIC POLE BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT STOP. MY CAR IS TOTALED AND NOW I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT SOME WAY TO GET A DIFFERENT VEHICLE.

• 12/31/2018· ENGINE

  AIR INTAKE SYSTEM. NOT LONG AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON READING A CODE PH171. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A KNOCK SENSOR WHICH WE REPLACED AND IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, AFTER WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE AIR INTAKE HOSE, CHECKED IT AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S A NEW HOSE NO ISSUES WITH IT. NOW WE ARE TRYING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. WE CHECK ONLINE FORUMS AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND ALMOST NO ONE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS TO FIX IT. WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING IT SEEMS FINE BUT AS SOON AS YOU STOP AND IT IDLES IT SEEMS LIKE IT WANTS TO DIE AND ALMOST HAS A FEW TIMES. WAS JUST CURIOUS IF THIS IS SUCH A HUGE PROBLEM THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL?

• 12/28/2021· POWER TRAIN

  The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the button on the gear shifter would not release while shifting between gears. Due to the failure, the key would remain stuck in the ignition due to the defective gear shifter button. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a diagnostic fee; the contact declined to pay for the diagnostic. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that the matter would be escalated to a senior manager. The contact had not heard back from the manufacturer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The contact stated that the issue has been repaired.

• 12/27/2022· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the rear windshield suddenly imploded, causing glass shards to be propelled inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that it sounded as if a shotgun had been fired. As a result of the implosion, the contact sustained injuries to the left eye. The contact sought medical attention. The contact stated that there was an abnormal electrical humming sound coming from the rear windshield prior to the failure. The contact stated that the defroster was not activated at the time of the failure. The contact stated that there was prior electrical shortage failures with the vehicle. Additionally, there was melted solder present at the rear window defroster electrical connection. An unknown local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact stated that he had a Police Report for the failure. The contact stated that a field investigator was sent to the residence to inspect the vehicle; however, the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 125,000.

• 12/26/2015· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT, THE AIR BAG AND SEATBELT INDICATOR DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THEY ARE ACTIVE LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO.

• 12/23/2024· AIR BAGSCrash

  The Sonic rear ended a stationary vehicle going close to 50mph. No airbags deployed.

• 12/20/2020· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  MY 2013 CHEVY SONIC DEVELOPED TICKING SOUND SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT AT 60000 MILES. THE TICKING GOT WORSE OVER TIME AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I SCANNED THE CODES AND MULTIPLE FOUR CODES WERE FOUND. P0171, P0496, P1101, AND P2270. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMED TO BE THAT MOST CRUZE, SONIC, AND TRAX VEHICLES ALL HAD THE SAME ISSUES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD, PURGE VALVE, PCV HOSE, AND VALVE COVER. THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS AND THE ONLY ONE WAS THE VALVE COVER BUT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER IT OR NOT. THE BREATHER DIAPHRAGM IN THE VALVE COVER GOES BAD DUE TO A FAULT INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THESE VEHICLE MODELS. THERE IS A LITTLE ORANGE GASKET IN THE MANIFOLD THAT GOES BAD AND CAUSES THE DIAPHRAGM TO GO OUT RESULTING IN HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NOT ONLY CAUSES GHAT ISSUE BUT CAUSES THE CAR TO GET JUMPY AT STOPS AND STALLING OUT. HAVE ALMOST HAD A FEW PEOPLE REAR END ME DUE TO THIS. THE PURGE VALVE GOES OUT AS WELL AND WHEN AT THE FUEL PUMP THE CAR WILL HESITATE TO CRANK OR RUN AT VERY LOW IDLE SHUTTING OFF MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE IT STARTS UP AND THEN RUNS ROUGH UNTIL A DECENT AMOUNT OF FUEL HAS RAN THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE CAR WOULD NOT GET ENOUGH FUEL WHEN AT STOPS OR ON HIGHWAYS AND WOULD ALSO JUST LOSE FUEL AND CUT THE ENGINE OFF. THOSE COMPONENTS HAVE SINCE BEEN REPLACED BY MYSELF AND NO MORE ISSUES. CHEVY WILL NOT RECALL THE PARTS THAT ARE CAUSING THE ISSUES AND THEREFORE THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN OUT ON THE HIGHWAYS.

• 12/19/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD AS THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8000.

• 12/18/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINECrash

  THINGS STARTED AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER A CAR HIT ME AND TOOK OFF. I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND STAYED ON, AT CERTAIN TIMES THE CAR EITHER WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE STOPPED THE CAR WILL EITHER SHAKE FOR 2-3 MINUTES OR ALSO WHILE STATIONARY THE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT WILL COME ON THEN TURN OFF. I'VE ALSO EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH SLOW OR NOT AS RESPONSIVE ACCELERATION OR UNPROMPTED RPG GAUGE REVVING AND SOMETIMES THATS COUPLED WITH THE SHAKING TO THE POINT THAT MY HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET. I WAS NEVER AWARE OF ANY RECALLS SO IM NOT SURE IF IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH A POSSIBLE RECALL THAT HASNT BEEN DIAGNOSED BUT THERES GREAT CAUSE FOR CONCERN. - SN: I WASNT ABLE TO CHOOSE EVERY AFFECTED PART.

• 12/17/2016· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  KEY STICKS IN THE IGNITION, UNABLE TO REMOVE WHEN IN PARK POSITION. I WORK A DANGEROUS JOB IN BAD AREAS AND CANNOT DEPEND ON THE KEY BEING RELEASED FROM THE SWITCH AFTER PARKING. WHATCH PUTS ME IN A AWKWARD SITUATION IN REGARDS TO SAFETY.

• 12/11/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNALS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

• 12/05/2020· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  THE FUEL SYSTEM IS RUNNING WEAK, FOR A CAR WITH ONLY 30000 MILES, ONE OWNER AND FULL MAINTENANCE, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND GO ALL THE TIME AND EVERYTHING WAS CHECKING

• 12/02/2015· POWER TRAIN

  THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON GETS STUCK IN DEPRESSED POSITION, PREVENTING REMOVAL OF THE KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN IN PARK POSITION AND ALLOWS THE SHIFTER TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS AND PARK POSITIONS WITH LITTLE-TO-NO INTERVENTION. INABILITY DISENGAGE BUTTON AND TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION ALSO CREATES INABILITY TO SECURELY PARK THE VEHICLE AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ARE THERE ARE PLENTY OF FORUMS ONLINE ABOUT THE TOPIC. HERE IS A VIDEO OF SOMEONE ELSE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I'M HAVING: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TMUXP0BXTVI THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I DON'T UNDERTAND HOW GM HASN'T RECALLED IT. THE CAR BECOMES LITERALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PARK. IT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I GOT HOME ONE NIGHT AND I ALMOST TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OVERNIGHT BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T COME OUT, WHICH WOULD HAD PROBALY KILLED THE BATTERY. THANKFULLY AFTER MINUTES OF TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF AND SHIFTTING GEARS IT FINALLY CAME OUT.

• 12/02/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 327.

• 12/01/2020· ENGINE

  THE PCV PRESSURE REG VALVE FAILS AND CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. GM SENT A LETTER TO CUSTOMERS BUT ONLY COVERS THE WORK UP TO 120K MILES. MINE FAILED AT 125K MILES AND COST OVER $1000 TO FIX. GM IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS.10/15/2020

• 11/29/2016· STEERING,AIR BAGSCrash

  TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR HAS BEEN HIT IN THE FRONT END 3 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME WAS A HARD HIT, NONE OF THE TIMES HAVE I HAD AN AIRBAG COME OUT.

• 11/23/2024· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Unable to shift to park from drive due to internal mechanism broke.

• 11/20/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE WINDOW WIPER/WASHER SWITCH FAILED AND THE ANTI THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECCURED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW WIPER/WASHER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

• 11/19/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT, I HAVE TO TAP ON THE BATTERY POST CONNECTORS AND THE POWER STEERING STARTS WORKING AGAIN. SOMETIMES A WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, SOMETIMES NOT. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING GOING AROUND A BEND IN THE ROAD WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, ALMOST LOST CONTROL. MY ODOMETER QUIT WORKING, I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM. WHY IS THIS NOT ON RECALL IF A CHEVROLET MECHANIC IS TELLING ME IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM...VERY EXPENSIVE AND UNNECESSARY AND SHOULD BE ON RECALL IF IT'S THAT COMMON.

• 11/18/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, HER FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL BEING MADE OUT OF METAL INSTEAD OF RUBBER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

• 11/14/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON AND PUT IT IN DRIVE THE RADIO TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. AS I WAS DRIVING I THEN NOTICED THE CARS SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING EITHER. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WOULD BEGIN TO WORK AGAIN. *TR

• 11/12/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE GEAR SHIFT GETS STUCK AND WON'T MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE BUTTON IS STICKING OUT AND YOU CAN'T PUSH IT IN. I STOPPED TO CHECK THE MAIL AND PUT IT IN OARK GOT OUT CANE BACK AND TRIED TO PUT IN DRIVE AND IT WAS STUCK. I WAS AT WALMART PARKED CAR TURNED OFF AND WENT INSIDE CAME BACK FOR IN STARTED VEH WENT TO PUT IN REVERSE AND AGAIN IT WAS STUCK. AFTER AWHILE OF MESSING WITH IT, IT FINALLY MOVED

• 11/11/2015· SUSPENSION

  WHEN WE GO DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT A SMALL BUMP WE HERE A BANG FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT . THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE STABILIZER BAR AND THE BAR BUSHING BUT IT IS NOT THAT IT IS THE STERILIZER BAR LINKS THEY ARE MADE OUT OF HARD PLASTIC THEY SHOULD BE RECALL ON THEM SOME ONE CAN GET HURT OR KILL BECAUSE OF THEM. I ASK GM TO PAY ME BACK BUT THEY SILL WELL NOT CALL ME BACK ON IT. IF SOME ONE IS LOOKING FOR THEM THEY ARE 523-040 BY DORMAN

• 11/08/2020· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY SONIC HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA RECALL NO. : 19E-064, MANUFACTURER RECALL NO. : N192223230. EXCEPT, IT HAPPENED WHEN I REACHED TO USE THE WIPERS RATHER THAN HITTING THE KEY FOB WITH MY LEG. I REACHED TO USE THE WIPERS AND MY ARM HIT THE KEY FOB, KNOCKING IT INTO THE NEXT POSITION, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. IT COULD HAVE JUST AS EASILY MOVED OVER ONE MORE AND LOCKED THE STEERING. THE RECALL WAS DONE ON THE CAMARO'S, SO WHY WASN'T IT DONE ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE USING THE SAME KEY FOB AND IGNITION REPLACEMENT? WAS IT BECAUSE THE CAMARO'S PRICE IS 4 TIMES THE PRICE OF A SONIC? ARE CAMARO DRIVERS MORE VALUABLE THAN SONIC DRIVERS? THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INCLUDING THE CAMARO RECALL, BUT NOT THE SONIC. HTTPS://WWW.GMIGNITIONSWITCHECONOMICSETTLEMENT.COM/ I REPORTED THIS BACK IN 2014, AND NEVER HEARD A WORD ABOUT IT.

• 11/05/2023· AIR BAGSCrash

  Car accident November 3, 2023. A dear ran in front car while traveling 55mps. As the impact took place causing front and of the car to be smashed Air bags in the car did not deployed. Causing head to hit steering wheel.

• 11/05/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  PUSH BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT STICKS PREVENTING THE SELECTION (PARK, NEUTRAL, DRIVE ETC) TO LOCK IN PLACE. IN THEORY IF DRIVING THE GEAR SHIFT COULD BE BUMPED INTO NEUTRAL. IT ALSO MAKES REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. IT HAPPENS EITHER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. A TEMPORARY REMEDY IS STICKING A DIME ON TOP OF THE PUSH BUTTON SELECTOR.

• 11/04/2016· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  ROUGH IDLE AT STOP AND SLUGGISH PROPULSION WHILE DRIVING TO WHERE IT CAN BECOME DANGEROUS WHILE MERGING ONTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC AND BUSY CITY STREETS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON ONLINE FORUMS, THERE IS A MASS ISSUE WITH THE AIR INTAKE TUBE/HOSE FROM AIR BOX TO THROTTLE BODY. THE ISSUE BEING MAJOR CRACKING OR HOLES IN THE TUBE/HOSE CAUSING TOO MUCH AIRFLOW. THIS CRACKING HAPPENS SOMETIMES BEFORE OR AFTER THE O2 SENSOR. THE CRACKING I FOUND HAPPENED TO BE AFTER MY O2 SENSOR, THEREFORE NOT EVEN TRIGGERING THE CHECK ENGINE SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE.

• 11/03/2014· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  CPSC:I1480205A. 2013 CHEVY SONIC. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY FOB FOR IS CAR. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED HE HIT THE KEY FOB FAIRLY HARD WHICH CAUSED THE KEY TO TURN, AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. *JB

• 11/02/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  AFTER TURNING OFF ENGINE AND GETTING OUT OF THE CAR...IT "CRANKED" OVER ONCE TRYING TO START ON ITS OWN. I JIGGLED THE KEY AND IT DID IT AGAIN. REMOVED THE KEY SEVERAL TIMES AND STARTED/STOPPED THE ENGINE. COULD NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE SYMPTOMS.

• 11/01/2022· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  My Odometer miles was erased about 9 months ago and I cannot retrieve it. A Chevy dealership associate looked at it this week (October 31, 2022) and manually could not recover the miles. A GM parts online website suggested it could be a speed sensor (blown fuse) or dash cluster. To diagnose the problem, the dealership wants to perform a diagnostic which costs $120-140 plus parts and labor. This is unjustified: GM and dealerships should be aware of this problem since it is prevalent in Chevy Sonics. GM should back this repair either partially or fully.

• 11/01/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH. THE SIDE I WAS ON HAD A LONG, STEADY INCLINE UPWARD. I HAD SET MY CRUISE CONTROL TO ABOUT 63 MPH. AS I WAS GOING UPHILL THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SUPPLYING FUEL TO GET TO AND MAINTAIN MY SPEED AT 63 MPH. I WAS APPROACHING ANOTHER CAR IN MY LANE AND DECIDED RATHER THAN PASS, I WOULD SLOW DOWN. THEY WERE GOING QUITE A BIT SLOWER THAN ME SO CAME UP UPON THEM QUICKLY. I PRESSED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN BUT THE BRAKE WAS HARD AS A ROCK. IT WOULD NOT BUDGE SO IT DID NOT DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL AND MY CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I PANICKED AND TRIED TO USE BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE. IT STILL WOULD NOT BUDGE. I WAS WITHIN 2 CAR LENGTHS OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN FINALLY THE CAR REACHED THE SPEED I HAD SET THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR AND THE BRAKES FINALLY DEPRESSED. IN HINDSIGHT, I HAD OPTIONS I.E. PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, TURNING KEY OFF, TURNING TO AVOID A COLLISION, SHUTTING OFF CRUISE CONTROL, BUT THIS CAR WAS NEW TO ME, AND IN THAT MOMENT I FULLY EXPECTED THE BRAKES TO WORK. ONCE I WAS IN CONTROL, I TRIED TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM WITH NO ONE AROUND, KNOWING MY OPTIONS NOW. IT HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. A SERVICE TECH ALSO HAD IT HAPPEN TO THEM. FIRST ATTEMPT AT REPAIR DID NOT FIX IT. SECOND ATTEMPT DID. IT WAS A BAD CHECK VALVE. APPARENTLY THE CHECK VALVE LET AIR OUT OF A BOOSTER, SO I LOST MY BRAKES? THE CHECK VALVE ALSO LET FLUID FILL THE BOOSTER. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND VACUUM WERE REPLACED AS WELL. LOOKING BACK, THERE WERE SIGNS, BUT NO OBVIOUS ONES. A RANDOM HI-PITCHED NOISE (AIR SQUEAKING OUT THE CHECK VALVE). LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. DEALER HAD TO FILL IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND I ADDED SOME AT 6 MONTHS. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS AND SCARY EXPERIENCE. I QUESTION THE DESIGN TO DIS-ENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE QUALITY OF THE CHECK VALVES THEMSELVES. *TR

• 11/01/2014· STRUCTURE

  CHEVY IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A WORKING SOLUTION. THEIR RELATED BULLETIN IS PI0826. I PARK MY CAR ON AN INCLINE WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE LEFT BY APPROXIMATELY 10 DEGREES WHEN IT RAINS, WATER COMES IN THROUGH THE LOWER WINDSHIELD AREA, DOWN AN AIR VENT, THROUGH AND AROUND AN AIR FILTER, THROUGH AND AROUND A FAN ASSEMBLY AND DRIPS ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED, I THOUGH IT WAS ME, LEAVING THE WINDOW AJAR, OR A WATER BOTTLE LEAKING, OR ACCIDENTLY LEAVING DOOR UNLOCKED AND SOMEONE DOING SOMETHING. I DRIVE MAYBE ONCE A WEEK, SO BY THE TIME I FOUND THE PROBLEM, THE CAR SMELLED REALLY BAD. IT WAS A FISHY TYPE SMELL. I HAD CHECKED WINDOWS, THEY WERE UP. I HAD TO UNLOCK, SO IT WAS NO ONE GETTING IN. LUCKILY, THE MAT HAD A PLASTIC BOTTOM AND IT HELD MOST OF THE WATER, BUT THE CARPET BELOW DID GET WET AS WELL. I HADN'T USED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS, AND THE FLOOR MAT WAS STILL SOAKED 3-4 DAYS AFTER THE ACTUAL RAIN. IT TOOK 3 DAYS TO REMOVE THE SMELL FROM THE MAT ALONE. LAUNDRY DETERGENT DIDN'T WORK. I FINALLY GOT IT BETTER WITH WHITE VINEGAR. I HAD TO SPRAY IT AFTER THAT WITH LYSOL AND COLOGNE. SO MUCH FOR THE "NEW CAR SMELL". 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED I KNEW IT WASN'T ANYTHING I DID. LUCKILY, I WENT OUT TO CHECK IT THE DAY AFTER A STORM. IT WAS SOAKED AGAIN, AND AGAIN I HAD TO CLEAN IT AND DRY IT UP. THIS IS WHEN I SEARCHED AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE BULLETIN. IT WAS APPLIED BY A DEALER, BUT IT DID NOT WORK. 2ND ATTEMPT TO REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE LOWER TRIM ON WINDSHIELD. THERE IS LESS WATER, BUT IT'S STILL COMING IN. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY HOW I PARK. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MOLD FROM THE WET FILTER & FLOOR PADDING, PREMATURE RUSTING WHEN THE FLOOR GETS WET AND PREMATURE FAILURE IF THE FAN GETS WET. I HEARD SAME ISSUE ON ANOTHER MODEL HAS A SPECIFIC PART FOR THE FIX. *TR

• 10/31/2016· SEAT BELTS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE CAR HESATATES, THE RADIO SOME TIMES DOES'T COME ON, THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT TIEN UP WHEN YOU BUCKLE UP, AND THE SEATS ARE VERY LOW TO THE GROUND FOR A HANDICAP PERSON

• 10/25/2018· AIR BAGSCrash

  2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AN ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO OBTAIN BRAIN DAMAGE. *AS *JS *JS *TT VIN INVALID *JB

• 10/23/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY WIRING HARNESSES HAVE BEEN CHEWED BY RODENTS TWICE IN LESS THAN 10 DAYS BECAUSE GM USES SOY BASED PLASTICS TO COAT THE WIRING HARNESSES. SOY PRODUCTS ARE USED IN THE MAKING OF RODENT FOODS. MY CAR STOPPED DEAD IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE WIRES BROKE DUE TO THE DAMAGE (FOUND LATER AT DEALERSHIP). IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS JUST PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN IT OCCURRED AND NOT ONCE I HAD REACHED INTERSTATE SPEEDS WHERE I NORMALLY DRIVE TO WORK. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE CONCERNING THIS SAME PROBLEM.

• 10/15/2018· POWER TRAIN

  THERE WAS A SHIFT FLARE WHEN SWITCHING FROM GEAR 2 TO GEAR 3. THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR WAS WARMED UP. WHEN IT WAS COLD, IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN. THERE WAS NO FLUID LEAK.

• 10/15/2015· SERVICE BRAKES

  INTERMITTENTLY, APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD IS UNRESPONSIVE - LIKE PRESSING ON A BOARD. I NEARLY STRUCK 2 KIDS ON BIKES THE OTHER DAY. SCARY. THE DEALER STATED, "TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE VEHICLE AND VERIFIED CUSTOMER'S CONCERN. INSPECTED BRAKE SYSTEM, FOUND CHECK VALVE FOR BRAKE BOOSTER STUCK OPEN AND BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM PUMP SEIZED." I CONTEND THAT THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR TYPE OF ISSUE, BUT RATHER A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. IN RESEARCHING THIS MATTER, I FOUND MESSAGE BOARDS AND FORUMS THAT DESCRIBE THE SAME ISSUE. HERE IS ONE SUCH DISCUSSION: HTTP://WWW.SONICOWNERSFORUM.COM/FORUM/HANDLING-BRAKING-SUSPENSION-DISCUSSION/18313-BRAKE-PEDAL-GETS-ROCK-HARD-IMMEDIATELY-OFF-BOOST-VAC-PUMP-GOING.HTML CHEVROLET WILL NOT REMEDY THIS PROBLEM UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY AND THE DEALER WANTS $700 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE IT IS APPARENTLY A COMMON AND VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE.

• 10/14/2018· ENGINE

  THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING.

• 10/09/2023· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  2013 Chevrolet Sonic 1.8 L , fuel system lean ,mass airflow sensor, in limp mode preventing acceleration, gas tank when added gas....shuts down after start up-fuel system/gasoline; may cause possible fuel leak and could combust, alarm system and locks don't properly function - electric system equipment, insufficient welds...around fuel tank and front of vehicle on bottom by driver's side could also cause combustion, bcm codes that came up were communication, electrical, fuel, windows, and airbags! AutoZone codes were po171 and co561-77,I looked up recalls , several came up for my make and model but weren't specific to my vin# however my vehicle is doing everything pertaining to them! And I looked up if there was any special coverage on it and said there is...before 120k miles or ten years time. And I was never notified of it & never received anything in the mail ...

• 10/08/2013· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAD THIS CAR AS A RENTAL. WHILE DOING SOMETHING WITH THE RADIO, I SOMEHOW HIT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE KEY THEN TURNED TO THE LEFT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO TURN OFF. IN THE SPAN OF A DAY. I DID THIS 3 TIMES. ONCE WAS WHILE MAKING A WIDE TURN ONTO A FREEWAY. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME WHEN I HAD TO SUDDENLY STOP TO RESTART THE CAR. *TR

• 10/07/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO THE ROAD TO GET IN A TURNING LANE, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL FRACTURED AND THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND MINOR BRUISING. THE FRONT PASSENGER FLEW INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE GEAR SHIFTER FRACTURED WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS IMPACTED BY THE FORCE OF THE CRASH. AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND TWO CHILDREN PASSENGERS SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,700. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 11/16/16.*JB

• 10/07/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED DOWN, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS OFF AND IT IS ABOUT 86 DEGREES OUTSIDE. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST QUIRKY INCIDENT TO HAPPEN IN THIS VEHICLE. I JUST BOUGHT IT ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO. ALL THE STANDARD MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE TO THIS VEHICLE. NOT SURE WHY IT IS SMOKING. AFTER IT BEING IN OUR CARE FOR 4 MONTHS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALSO NOT GO OFF, AND THE REMOTE START DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAS BECOME LOOSE AS WELL. NO ONE HAS BEEN HANGING ON IT, JUST SIMPLY OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR. ALSO THE PLASTIC CAP ON THE SHIFT HAS POPPED OFF. I WILL BE GETTING IT CHECKED TOMORROW AND POSSIBLY GETTING RID OF IT SOONER THAN LATER. THIS IS A VERY POOR GM MODEL CAR. *TR

• 10/05/2018· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND CEASED TO MOVE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,788.

• 10/03/2016· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED, IT FAILED TO START. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL TOP, BUT THE ISSUE STILL PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

• 10/02/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  AT AROUND 38,000 MILES THE ODOMETER AND TRIP METER ON MY 2013 SONIC STOPPED DISPLAYING NUMBERS AND INSTEAD SHOWS JUST 3 DASHES. DISCONNECTING THE CAR'S BATTERY FOR 30 MINS, RECONNECTING, AND STARTING THE CAR DISPLAYS THE MILEAGE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN RETURNS TO THE ---. SAME HAPPENS WHEN PULLING THE FUSE FOR THE GAUGE CLUSTER; THE MILEAGE IS DISPLAYED FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN RETURNS TO THE ---. ATTEMPTING TO RESET THE TRIP METER RESULTS IN THE NORMAL 'BEEP' BUT NUMBERS ARE NOT DISPLAYED. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WANT A NONREFUNDABLE DEPOSIT OF $700 JUST TO DIAGNOSE, PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL BILL ON TOP OF THAT. RIDICULOUS. SINCE THIS IS LIKELY A COMPUTER ISSUE IT'S BEYOND THE SCOPE OF WORK THAT CAN BE PERFORMED BY MY TRUSTED LOCAL GARAGE AND AS A RESULT I HAVE NOT HAD THE ISSUED CORRECTED. THIS SHOULD BE A GM RECALL. KNOWING MY VEHICLE'S MILEAGE IS CRITICAL SAFETY INFORMATION AS IT IS A BENCHMARK FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AS WELL AS FOR ACCURATELY REPORTING INSURANCE INFORMATION.

• 09/30/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK DOING 55 MPH THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY TURNED ITSELF OFF WITH NO WARNING. THE DASHBOARD WENT BLANK. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE ROAD. THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE ON POSITION. THE CAR RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEM BUT MY GAS GAUGE SHOWED ONLY 1 BAR AND THE MILES PER TANK SHOWED 40. BEFORE THE INCIDENT I HAD 1/2 A TANK OF GAS. AS I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN THE GAS GAUGE LITTLE BY LITTLE STARTED TO MOVE BACK UP TO WHERE IT WAS. VERY SCARY. *TR

• 09/29/2022· WHEELS,ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, she heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the rear wheels of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that she heard clicking sounds while making turns. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove to her residence and parked the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

• 09/28/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  On Tuesday, September 27 at 10:25 AM, I was driving to pickup medication for my dog. I was less than 5 miles away from my home. As I pulled up to park, I slowed down and turned into the nearest parking stall. As I set the automatic shifter to Park, the car came out of park and shifted gears into Drive; mounting the curb. I hit the brake but the car continued to move forward. When I went to pull on my Emergency brake, the car hit the side of the building. As soon as I hit the building, I was able to regain control of the car and turn the ignition off. Gratefully, no one was hurt.

• 09/27/2017· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO REPORT INDIVIDUAL TIRE PRESSURE ON THE DASH PANEL. GM PROVIDED THIS VEHICLE INFORMATION VIA A FREE APP FOR THE PHONE. GM N LONGER PROVIDES THAT INFORMATION FOR FREE ON THE APP. I BELIEVE THAT MAKES FOR AN UNSAFE SITUATION AS A LOW TIRE IS NO LONGER ALERTED UNTIL IT IS VERY LOW. THESE SMALL TIRES EXPERIENCE LARGE PRESSURE VARIANCES DUE TO TEMPERATURE CHANGE. I BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD EITHER PROVIDE THIS FEATURE IN THE APP AT NO CHARGE OR UPDATE THE FIRMWARE ON THE INFORMATION PANEL ON THE DASH. THANK YOU.

• 09/27/2013· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  THE A/C DOES NOT WORK GOOD WHILE THE CAR IS AT IDLE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE A/C WILL BEGIN TO COOL. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HAVE TO BREAK IT STARTS TO BLOW WARMER AIR. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN, THE A/C WILL STOP COOLING AND BLOWS WARM AIR OUT OF THE VENTS. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. TOLD ME THAT THE MECHANIC/TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE DEALERSHIP IS NO HELP AND I JUST WANT MY 17000 CAR AC TO WORK NORMAL/ RIGHT. 2013 CHEVY SONIC 2LT MODEL WITH A 6 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION. PLEASE HELP THANKS! *TR