WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT, THE AIR BAG AND SEATBELT INDICATOR DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THEY ARE ACTIVE LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO.
2013 Chevrolet Sonic complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2013 record →
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A RAIN SHOWER AT ABOUT 60 MPH, WHILE USING THE WIPERS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER MADE A LOUD CRACK SOUND AND FELL OFF! I WAS UNABLE TO SEE AND NEARLY HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MYSELF. SINCE IT WAS LATE SATURDAY NIGHT, I STOPPED AT A LOCAL PARTS STORE (ADVANCED AUTO) AND PURCHASED A NEW WIPER. WHEN THE CLERK INSPECTED THE BLADE, HE FOUND THAT THE WIPER ARM DOES SECURELY ATTACH WITH THE WIPER ITSELF. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THE MAN I SPOKE WITH SAID HE COULD REPLACE THE WIPER ARM, HOWEVER THIS MAY NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH IT "FALLING OFF".
I WAS GOING UP HILL APPROACHING A PARKING SPACE IN THE GARAGE WHERE I WORK. I WENT TO TURN INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND MY TURBO ENGINE SPED UP AND SLAMMED ME INTO THE GARAGE WALL. THE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION ON THIS CHEVY SONIC. IF I HAD PARKED ON THE TOP FLOOR, I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE IT WOULD HAVE CRASHED DOWN INTO THE STREET. I MY ARMS AND MY ONE LEG WAS BURNED BY THE AIR BAGS.
I WAS TOLD THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TURN/HAZARD LIGHT WAS VERY DIM. I PURCHASED THE BULB AND SOUGHT HELP TO CHANGE IT. IT WAS AT ONCE CLEAR THAT THE BULB HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE HOUSING AND HAD MOVED BACK ONTO THE PLASTIC PART OF THE HOUSING, MELTING IT ONTO THE BULB. I WENT THE NEXT DAY TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE PIECE WHICH HOUSES THE 2 HEADLIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNAL BULB WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, THAT THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER SO THERE WAS NO EXPECTED DELIVERY DATE AND THAT THERE WAS NO TEMPORARY REPAIR THAT COULD BE DONE. THIS BULB IS PART OF THE NIGHTTIME OPERATING SYSTEM AND COMES ON AUTOMATICALLY. LEFT UNREPAIRED IN SOME WAY, IT OBVIOUSLY WILL CONTINUE TO BURN THE PLASTIC, FALL THROUGH ONTO EITHER IT'S OWN WIRES OR THE HEADLIGHT WIRES, SETTING A FIRE. ONLY THEN WILL THE WARNING SYSTEM, FOR WHICH THERE IS A RECALL, BE ACTIVATED! IMMEDIATELY NOTIFYING ALL SONIC OWNERS TO LOOK THROUGH THE YELLOW GLASS AT AND AROUND THE BULB WHEN IT IS NOT LIT AND TO COMPARE EACH SIDE TO THE OTHER, MIGHT SAVE SOME LIVES. SO WILL INSISTING THAT CHEVY'S ENGINEERS DEVISE A TEMPORARY REPAIR UNTIL THE PART CAN BE OBTAINED, AND ADDING THIS ISSUE TO THE EXISTING LIGHTING RECALL AS A PRIORITY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE SAFETY FEATURES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT BOTH TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
THIS MESSAGE IS DESCRIBING 2 DIFFERENT ISSUES: THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN THE LATE SUMMER OF 2012 AND HAS EXPERIENCED CONSISTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES STARTING IN THE WINTER OF 2012. THE ENTIRE MIDDLE CONSOLE WILL COMPLETE POWER OFF, AND THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS DO NOT ACTIVATE. THE ONLY STRATEGY FOR "TURNING IT BACK ON" IS WHEN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROST BUTTON IS PUSHED REPEATEDLY. THIS HAS OCCURRED EVERY WINTER SINCE. I HAVE HAD THE DIRECTIONAL WAND REPLACED, AND HAVE ADDRESSED 2 RECALLS SENT FROM THE MANUFACTUER. THE PROBLEMS STILL PERSIST. SECOND AND MOST RECENT ISSUE (BEGAN IN APRIL 2015)- THE CAR STEREO SYSTEM HAS TURNED ITSELF ON AT LEAST 3 TIMES WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED, TURNED OFF- INCLUDING THE RADIO BEING POWERED OFF BEFORE THE CAR IS. ON THREE OCCASSIONS, I HAVE CAME OUT THE NEXT MORNING AND COULD HEAR MY CAR STEREO PLAYING. ON THE THIRD TIME, IT KILLED THE BATTERY.
I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHERE A TRANSAXLE LEAK WAS NOTICED. I THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING TO DEALER AS PER TRANSMISSION WARRANTY. THEY REPLACED THE SEAL, 3 WEEKS LATER WHEN THEY GOT IT IN, I LEFT ONLY TO FIND MY ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON, I THEN BROUGHT IT TO A PARTS STORE FOR A READ AND IT CAME BACK OXYGEN SENSOR. I LATER WAS LOOKING UNDER HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE AIR INTAKE HOSE IS CRACKED AS I PULLED IT OFF I FOUND IT TO BE CRACKED WITH HOLE IN MORE THAN ONE PLACE, I WILL NOW REPLACE THAT AND HOPE THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF.
THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON STICKS WHEN IN GEAR OR PARK.
CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE STEERING IS WAY TO TOUCHY ANY SLIGHT MOVEMENT AND THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE PLACE. THE CAR DOESN'T STAY IN A STRAIGHT LINE IT EITHER GOES RIGHT OR LEFT. ALIGNMENT CHECK DONE EVERYTHING IS GREAT AND GOT NEW TIRES. I'M PART OF THE SONIC OWNERS FORUM AND THIS ISSUE ISN'T EVERY SONIC IT DOES SEEM TO BE VERY WIDESPREAD THOUGH AS YOU CAN JUST CHECK THE LEMON LAW WEBSITE. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING DON'T KNOW WHY THEY SWITCHED FROM HYDRAULIC. THESE SYSTEMS ARE UNSAFE AND FAILURE PRONE. I CAN'T KEEP THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT AT NORMAL SPEEDS IT'S A LOT EASIER TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT BUT SOMETIMES IT DOES WANDER A TINY BIT. PEOPLE PROBABLY THINK I'M INTOXICATED BECAUSE I'M WANDERING AND TRYING TO KEEP THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE.
TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE AIR DUCT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE RAN HOT DUE TO THE PRESSURE RATIO. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THERE WAS A TEAR IN THE AIR DUCT THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE TEAR IN THE AIR DUCT WAS BETWEEN THE MAP SENSOR AND THE THROTTLE BODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
IN 2014 WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY...THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE ISSUE WAS CAR APPLIED BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY WHEN TURNING CERTAIN CORNERS...THE ISSUE WAS NEVER FIXED AND COMPLAINTS WERE FILED WITH GM FOR RECORD PURPOSES IN CASE OF AN INCIDENT AND AS AN ATTEMPT TO GET CAR FIXED....WHILE THIS IS NOT THE EXACT PROBLEM OCCURRING AT THE PRESENT TIME...IT IS A STEERING TYPE PROBLEM...NOW THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND MOMENTARILY COMES BACK ON.
ON MY WAY TO WORK NOTICED THE CAR LACKING SOME POWER WHEN ACCELERATING TO GET ON HIGHWAY. OVER THE NEXT 2 WEEKS CAR STARTED SOUNDING DIFFERENT. (LIKE DRIVING WITH AIR BREATHER OFF) WHILE CHANGING OIL TODAY NOTICED AIR INTAKE TUBE IS CRACKED. WHICH COULD ALLOW DIRT AND MOISTURE TO BYPASS FILTER AND GO INTO ENGINE CAUSING DAMAGE. NOW THE CAR HAS 52130 MILES ON IT 2013 SONIC LS. AIR INTAKE TUBE SHOULD LAST LONGER THEN 2 YEARS. *TR
VEHICLE MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR, WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES OVER BUMPS AND WHEN THE VEHICLE MAKES TURNS. THE KNOCKING SOUND CAN BE HEARD, WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED PUSHING DOWN ON EITHER THE FRONT FENDER BACK PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE ALSO SWAYS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H428 (NA) TIRES, SIZE P195/65R15 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR FACTORY TIRE SIDEWALLS WERE SEVERELY CRACKED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE THREAD HAD BEGUN TO SEPARATE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED GM AND HANKOOK OF THE FAILURE. ONLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND STATED THAT THE PASSENGER COULD BE UNDER WEIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25.
THE CAR HAS A DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS SHOULD DETECT IF ANYONE IS IN THAT SEAT. WHEN PASSENGER IS DETECTED, THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS SHOULD BE ACTIVATED. FOR SMALL CHILDREN (UNDER A CERTAIN, NOT SPECIFIED WEIGHT LIMIT), THE AIRBAGS ON PASSENGER SIDE ARE NOT ACTIVATED. PROBLEM IS THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS ARE NOT EVEN ACTIVATED WHEN MY WIFE IS IN THAT SEAT. SHE IS BORN 06/13/1971 AND WEIGHS ABOUT 130 LB. OBVIOUSLY, THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS SHOULD BE ACTIVATED WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THAT SEAT THAT WEIGHS ~ 130 LB. SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, WE TOOK THE CAR TO CHEVROLET DEALER (AUTONATION CHEVROLET NORTHPOINT, 2175 MANSELL ROAD, ALPHARETTA, GA, 30004, PHONE 855-478-9750, CONTACT [XXX]). ENGINEER AND SERVICE MANAGER DID ALL CHECKS AND CONCLUDED THE CAR IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. WE CALLED CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER (SR. MANAGER CALLED [XXX], CASE FILE NR. [XXX]). THEY LOOKED INTO THE CASE AND SPOKE TO CHEVROLET DEALER NORTHPOINT. CONCLUSION IS THE SAME; CAR IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. WE SPOKE TO HIGHER MANAGER OF SR. MANAGER [XXX] AT CHEVROLET'S OWNER CENTER. SHE ALSO CONCLUDED THE SAME. IN OUR OPINION, THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD WITH THE CHEVROLET SONIC 2013 AS AIRBAGS ARE NOT ACTIVATED, EVEN FOR SOME ADULTS. OUR CAR WILL NOT BE FIXED BY CHEVROLET USA OR CHEVROLET DEALER SO WE ARE HOPING YOU CAN ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT BELOW CONTACT DETAILS. THANKS IN ADVANCE, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISED COLLAR BONE AND SOFT TISSUE BRUISING, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOSING COOLANT FOR LAST SIX MONTHS. THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS WATER INSIDE CABIN AIR FILTER BOX. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE AND INSPECTED VEHICLE WITH A GM ENGINEER, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF EITHER ISSUE.
VEHICLE IS LOOSING COOLANT AND A SMALL PUDDLE OF COOLANT DEVELOPED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. COOLANT TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING OVERHEATING WHILE TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. DEALER DETERMINED THAT A FAULTY SEAL WAS CAUSING THE WATER PUMP TO LEAK COOLANT. *TR
WHEN STOPPED THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THEY REPLACED THE 1-2-3-4 CLUTCH. THE PROBLEM FIRST APPEARED IN 2013, VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 31460 MILES AND IS STARTING TO EXHIBIT THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM TWO YEARS LATER. *TR
THE SHIFTER BUTTON WOULD GET STUCK WHEN SHIFTING AND CAN CHANGE INTO PARK OR DRIVE OR REVERSE WITH OUT HOLDING THE BUTTON IN. *TR
OUR 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC IS AN AUTOMATIC AND WHEN WE WERE DRIVING IN IT THE BUTTON TO SHIFT IT FELL OFF. IT HAD TO BE PUT BACK, WHICH WAS DIFFICULT, WHILE STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. IT STICKS AND I AM AFRAID IT WILL STICK AND SHIFT AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. I SHIFTED FROM 4TH TO 5TH AND SOMETHING DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT, LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T ENGAGE. I THEN REALIZED I COULD NOT MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER ON THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF GEAR. I ATTEMPTED TO TAKE THE NEXT EXIT BUT THE RAMP WAS ONLY SUITABLE FOR AROUND 30MPH. I TRIED TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM STALLING AS BEST AS I COULD. AS I GOT AROUND THE RAMP I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND NEARLY HIT A GUARD RAIL BECAUSE THE SHOULDER ENDED AND I BARELY STOPPED IN TIME. I CALLED CHEVY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR A TOW VEHICLE AND THEY DISPATCHED ONE. WHILE I WAS WAITING I GOOGLE'D MY PROBLEM ("CHEVY SONIC STUCK IN GEAR"). ALAS, ANOTHER PERSON HAD THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THE SAME EXACT VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THIS MESSAGE BOARD POSTER A SMALL PLASTIC CLAMP SLID OUT OF PLACE CAUSING THE SHIFT CABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM IT'S HOUSING, ESSENTIALLY RENDERING IT USELESS. I TOOK APART MY CONSOLE AND FOUND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I REINSTALLED THE PLASTIC CLAMP THAT HOLDS THE CABLE IN PLACE EVERYTHING WORKED NORMALLY, I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEAR. I BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
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
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
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, BU
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
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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY REPORTED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEALS AND GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED IF THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND NEITHER THE AUTHORIZED DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM IF THE COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND BRUISES ON HER BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
I HAVE OWNED A 2013 CHEVY SONIC FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW. THE OTHER DAY I WENT OUT TO DRIVE, SO I STARTED MY CAR WITH MY KEY FOB. AS I WAS ABOUT TO DRIVE AWAY I REACHED UP WITH MY RIGHT HAND TO TURN ON THE WIPERS. I HIT THE FOB FAIRLY HARD AND IT CAUSED THE KEY TO TURN, WHICH IN TURN SHUT OFF THE CAR. LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN I WENT TO PUT THE WIPERS ON. EVEN MORE LUCKY WAS THAT I WASN'T DRIVING AND HIT IT HARD ENOUGH TO LOCK THE STEERING. I'VE HEARD THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE IN OTHER VEHICLES AND IT WAS RESOLVED BY SEPARATING THE KEY AWAY FROM THE FOB SO THAT THE FOB DANGLED INSTEAD OF CREATING A LONG, SOLID KEY THAT COULD CAUSE THE ISSUE WHICH HAPPENED TO ME. YOU WOULD THINK WITH ALL THE IGNITION ISSUES GM HAS HAD, THEY WOULD HAVE COVERED ALL POSSIBLE PROBLEMS, BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT. I FEEL THE ONLY SOLUTION WOULD BE TO SEPARATE THE FOB FROM THE KEY SO THAT IT DOES NOT LOCK AND EXTEND SO MUCH THAT IT BECOMES AN OBSTACLE WHEN USING THE CONTROLS AROUND IT. THE KEY SHOULD BE SEPARATE FROM THE FOB. WHETHER PUT ON THE SAME KEY CHAIN OR NOT, THAT WOULD BE UP TO THE CONSUMER. *TR
MY BRAKES TREMBLE, WHEN STOPPING.. I HAD THEM CHECK OUT. 07/24.2013.... THE MECHANIC STATED: THE BRAKES ARE NEW. IT MIGHT BE ROTORS. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? IS THERE A RECALL? IF NOT THERE SHOULD BE!! *TR
WE STARTED HEARING A RATTLING COMING FROM THE RIGHT TRUNK AREA TOOK IT TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THIS ISSUE CANNOT BE FIXED TRUNK LID IS RUBBING SIDE OF CAR CHIPPING PAINT IT IS UNABLE TO BE ALIGNED BECAUSE BODY IS BENT MOST OF THE BODY LINES ON THE VEHICLE ARE NOT LINED UP
CAR IS SMOKING FROM ENGINE AND EXHAUST AND CREATING EXTREME HEAT. *TR
YOU CANT PUT ANYTHING IN THE TRUNK OR HAVE PASSENGERS ON BACK SEAT WITHOUT CAR BOTTOMING OUT. IF YOU EXCEED 300 POUNDS IN TRUNK THE BACK WHEELS GO ALL THE WAY UP IN CAR, RIDE IS TERRIBLE. *TR
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OHIO WHEN A F-150COME OUT OF ANOTHER ROAD AND T BONED ME THEY HAD O CUT ME OUT OF THE CAR MY NECK WAS INJURED AND MY BACK STILL HURTS AND I HAVE BAD HEADACHES NOW THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT GM SAYS I WAS NOT HIT HARD ENOUGH BUT I HAD SEVERAL AIRBAGS IN THE CAR AND NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED AND CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS .I THINK IT IS PRETTY SAD WHEN U BUY A VEHICLE FOR SAFETY THEN YOU CRASH AND THE COMPANY HAS NO CARE ABOUT YOU THEY JUST CARE ABOUT TRYING TO SAY THAT NOTHING WAS FAULTY ON THERE PART BUT AS WE ALL KNOW THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL RECALLS ON THESE CARS SINCE FOR FAULTY AIRBAGS. *TR
I JUST NOTICED THERE WAS AN AIRBAG RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, I DID NOT GET NOTICE OF THIS RECALL. I WAS IN A RECENT ACCIDENT AND EVERYONE SEEM SHOCKED THAT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DUE TO THE DAMAGES TO MY CAR. ADDITIONALLY, I AM HAVING TO ADD AIR TO MY TIRES WEEKLY AS SOON AS I ADD AIR THEN I GET ANOTHER WARNING THAT MY TIRES NEED MORE AIR. THE SENSOR DID NOT RESPOND AS MY ONSTAR SERVICES DID NOT GET IT TO RESPOND AS THE SERVICE IS SET UP TO DO. I HAVE CHANGED CLIMATE FROM A COLD(PA) TO A WARMER (GA) AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2013, BUT IT IS HAPPENING DAILY NOW. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. IT IS STUCK. I TAKE THE KEY OUT AND PUT IT BACK IN AND TRY TO TURN WITH NO LUCK. TODAY IT TOOK 15 TIMES OF TRYING TO TURN THE KEY AND TAKING IT OUT AND PUTTING IT BACK IN BEFORE IT WOULD START. I HAVE EVEN VIDEOED MYSELF TRYING TO START MY CAR SO I CAN SHOW THE DEALERSHIP. I AM SUPPOSED TO TAKE IT IN TOMORROW. *TR
AFTER HASELWOOD CHEVROLET BUICK GMC DEALERSHIP FIXED THE TRANSMISSION SEALS I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE IS IDLING ROUGH WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT I NOTICE THIS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. *JS
THE AIR CONDITIONER MAKES A HORRIBLE SQUEALING NOISE. IT DOES THIS LIKE CLOCKWORK EVERY 30 SECONDS WHILE RUNNING THE AC ON 2 OR ABOVE. IT IS SO LOUD EVEN WITH THE RADIO ON YOU HEAR IT GOING DOWN THE ROAD. IT STARTED RIGHT AFTER I HIT 2000 MILES ON THE CAR AND ABOUT A MONTH AFTER BUYING IT. IT CONTINUES TO DO IT A YEAR LATER AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 8 TIMES, THE SAY IT IS NORMAL. *TR
WHEN IN PARK, THE ENGINE IDLES VERY ROUGHLY. AS A RESULT OF THE ROUGH IDLE, THE FUEL ECONOMY IS NOT AS GOOD AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE. TWICE, THE CAR HAS STOPPED RUNNING WHEN AT A STOP SIGN/TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN I REPORTED TO MY DEALER, THE DEALER INFORMED ME THERE WAS A TSB ON THE ISSUE AND THE SOLUTION WAS TO RUN TIER 1 GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT GM DOES NOT HAVE A "FIX" FOR THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS THE 1.8 L GASOLINE ENGINE WITH SIX SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *TR
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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