Chevrolet Sonic Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

UNKNOWN -- During driving the vehicle the radio and power steering will stop working, locks and key for occasionally have issues, and the car shuts down and has to be re-started. Sometimes will take a minute or two to be able to be re-started. If car stalls at high speeds could cause a catastrophic accident, injuring possibly killing driver or other drivers due to not being able to control the car. Car has recently been serviced replacing the radiator, coolant tank, and purge valve (this was throwing the check engine light). No codes can be found and the problem cannot be duplicated. Happens at random times, nothing triggers it.

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving approximately 40 mph, the front driver’s and passenger’s side air bags erroneously deployed causing the driver to lose control of the steering wheel and the vehicle drove off the roadway. The vehicle was not involved in a crash before the air bags deployed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

MANUFACTURERS OWNERS MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS MAY LEAD TO TRANSMISSION / ELECTRICAL FAILURES WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN TRAVELING. THE RECREATIONAL TOWING INSTRUCTIONS REQUIRE THAT FUSES BE REMOVED (STEP 5) BEFORE NEXT STEPS INCLUDING SHIFTING VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURNING IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION . THOSE STEPS ( 6-9) CAN NOT BE EXECUTED IF STEP 5 IS EXECUTED FIRST. OWNERS WHO ATTEMPT TO PREPARE THE VEHICLE FOR RECREATIONAL TOWING BY USING A DIFFERENT SEQUENCE RUN THE RISK OF DAMAGING THEIR VEHICLES AND/OR CAUSING SEVERE ACCIDENTS IF THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP UNDER TOW (MOVING). DEALER CLAIMS IS VIN SPECIFIC. IT IS NOT VIN SPECIFIC. I TESTED SEVERAL IDENTICAL VEHICLES ON THE DEALER LOT AND THEY ALL FAIL, USING THE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTIONS.

2020 CHEVROLET SONIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE KEYLESS IGNITION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IT WAS POSSIBLE TO TURN OFF THE KEYLESS ENTRY WITHOUT FIRST PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK BEFORE STARTING THE IGNITION. *JS

The thermostat housing and water pump keeps failing and leaking.The seat heaters dont work. The car started leaking antifreeze real bad which cause it to overheat and lock up. Yes it has been confirm by a dealer that alot of the chevys been coming for new thermostat housing and water pumps. No vehicle was only inspected by a dealer. The overheating like came on and then 10 seconds later the car locked up

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while pulling into the garage, the high engine temp warning light illuminated, and the engine was overheating. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle. The contact stated there was coolant underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact had learned that the water pump failure was common for the vehicle and believed that the water pump had failed. The contact was able to identify an extended warranty for the failure. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure when it was confirmed that the VIN was not covered under warranty or recall. The manufacturer had referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,400.

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated the RPMs rose abnormally high. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone where it was scanned and diagnosed that the turbo charger had failed and needed to be replaced. The diagnostic scan retrieved DTC code: P0299. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,600.

There is no temperature indicator and the car overheats. This caused the hose to the coolant to leak. I had the housing unit replaced but then the car still ran hot. I had the get the whole thermostat replaced. No forum could assist with the replacement of the 2019 as if this year model doesn’t exist and the part needed doesn’t fit properly making my car inoperable.

Cooling Issues with 2019

cooling ISSUES - the WATER PUMPLE , cooling TANK . the WHOLE COOLING . my CARE HAS BEEN SHOP 5 TIMES AT JBA for cooling system

the CAR WAS BOUGHT IN May 24 of 2019. Since the car has been in the shop 4 times at JBA in Glen Burnie MD were I bought car From . Car been in Shop at JBA 01/29/2020 -Coolant Leaking , Was back in Shop 07/25/2022 - Water Pump Leaking , Car was Leaking Coolant, Back in shop October 2023 - For Over heating , Cooling System, Here we are January of 2024 car going back in shop at JBA or Cooling Issues

VEHICLE IS MAKING A LOUD 'HOWLING' NOISE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO FIX TO IT.

Dear GM Executive Office, I am writing in frustration and disappointment after being told today by Chevrolet Customer Assistance that the case I opened (Case # [XXX]) was simply a "dealer complaint" and that no further help would be offered - despite my vehicle exhibiting a recurring, safety-related malfunction covered under Special Coverage N232395330 - Turbocharger Replacement. To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally request a resolution regarding a recurring and unresolved issue with my son’s 2018 Chevrolet Sonic Premier (Turbocharged engine), VIN: [XXX] This past January we brought the vehicle to Ziegler Buick GMC of Lincolnwood an authorized due to overheating and a warning light. We paid $210 for a diagnosis and an additional $520 for a repair, totaling $730. The only action taken was the replacement of the coolant reservoir. The issue was not fully diagnosed, and the root cause was not addressed. On [XXX], the same issue has returned: Red heat warning light illuminated after less than one mile of driving. Coolant reservoir nearly empty upon inspection. Engine went into reduced power (“limp mode”). Scanner showed only a low coolant level but no additional actionable codes. Vehicle also displayed a change oil warning, likely triggered by overheating. This vehicle has a known history of turbocharger and coolant system defects, which have been acknowledged in GM technical service bulletins and Customer Satisfaction Programs. I have reason to believe this situation qualifies for one of those programs. Despite paying $730 for a prior repair, the vehicle is now exhibiting the same safety-related malfunction, putting my son at risk of engine damage and breakdown. We have also taken the car to Mike Anderson Chevrolet twice for inspection and they reported finding nothing. I am respectfully requesting the following: A thorough inspection and diagnosis of the entire cooling system and turbocharger INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was idling roughly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. The contact stated that the canister purge valve had previously been replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.