Water pump is leaking in front of motor

- Green Bay, WI, USA

We have had to deal with severe overheating issues and failing parts our entire ownership of this vehicle, both of which then cause other parts to fail, as the parts are so poorly made and heat sensitive. We have replaced the turbocharger (twice), intake manifold + valve cover (twice), catalytic converter, the radiator (THREE TIMES), the cooling fan (twice), the MAF sensor (twice), and much more. All of this has been done over the course of 18months. This has easily been the most expensive car we have ever owned due to the constant repairs, all of which has been because of Failing Parts and overheating.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

- Ashford, WV, USA

On 4/1/2023 my engine light went on. I had my nephews look at it. see pictures below for engine read and how oil mixed with antifreeze. Also note service paperwork. Gaskets were not up to quality to keep the oil sealed in its compartment. Manager called and tried to take care of issue because he only uses genuine parts but was told there was an issue with this part and until there were more fatalities or more people complained noting could be done. He was NOT happy. They did the best they could resorting to youtube videos and imagination. When I got it back, it was like brand new. Two days later, my engine light came on again. You will find the new engine reading which again had the oil mix with the antifreeze and no oil left. The engine would blow/seize or worse if I kept driving it. I am on disability and live alone. I cannot afford the unpredictability of having something happen to me on the road or where I am suppose to the money. I complained before to a manager at a dealership when I had a problem with my motor when my car was still new. He told me it was supposed to be like that. I keep revving in the middle of traffic lights and people were on my backend when I would get out of work at 3:00 am. The car was recalled two months later to replace many individual motor parts. I am too old and anxious to play these games. Please seriously have look into this please. Thank you for your time.

- North Grosvenordale, CT, USA

A few months after this car was purchased, we received the notice regarding recall 14234 for our 2012 Chevy Sonic. However, when we brought it to the dealership, they stated that our vehicle didn't fall under the recall. I told them we were experiencing shaking while shifting and it seemed like the exact same issue. Now about 1 year later with less than 100,000 miles, the car will not shift properly into 3rd gear. The auto repair shop informed us that we need to get a new transmission among many other related repairs. We seem to have the exact same issue as reported in the recall; however, we continue to be informed that our vehicle does not fall under the umbrella of the recall. After doing a number of searches it seems that this is a common story. All these 2012 Chevy Sonics have the same issue yet do not fall under the recall.

- Lakewood Ranch, FL, USA

After original P0011 engine code dealer bought from replaced VVT actuators, oil control solenoid, VCG, timing belt, water pump, antifreeze, idler and tensioner on 10/27 -11/21. Vehicle ran for one week and all thru Dec 2021 intermittently kept running rough and stalling and throwing P0011 code Camsgaft Position Sensor intake and P0301 cylinder 1 misfire. Smelled burning oil too. Replaced all separate throughout month -Camshaft position sensor intake, changed oil, spark plugs and now the ignition coil. Each time ran one day and code P0011 kept coming back. Running rough, poor gas mileage and stalls. Have extended warranty going back to dealer bought from.

- Austin, TX, USA

Vehicle keeps throwing P0011 codes with engine running rough and stalling when moving from stopped or slowing down

- Austin, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the battery warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact purchased a new battery however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the starter was replaced. Despite the repair, the failure persisted. The vehicle remained in the possession of the mechanic. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Cabool, MO, USA

Engine is running rough with no check engine light. Also air bag light is on with no collisions for it to appear.

- Sharon, PA, USA

Gear/transmission failure while driving in steady traffic... car suddenly went to 5-6000rpms without pressure on the gas and then down quickly to 1000rpms before I was able to stop and pull over. Afterwards, I couldn't get the car to move above 1000rpms and reverse gear went into failure. The tow truck couldn't move it without placing it into manual mode. It's been in the garage for a week with all diagnostics showing failure within the transmission. At this point, I either need to replace the transmission or buy a new car. I only had approximately 55,000 miles on the car in 7 years.

- Mckees Rocks, PA, USA

2012 Sonic has the same engine as the Chevy Cruze, the Cruze has a recall on it for the engine valve, yet the Sonic does not. My check engine light came on and I took it to get diagnosed and was told the engine valve needs replaced. Called the dealership and there are on outstanding recalls on my vehicle. I don't want to pay to get it fixed when the same engine on the Cruze has the same issue.

- Springfield, MO, USA

A month ago, my 2012 Chevrolet Sonic transmission started not shifting into second gear and severely shifting when persuaded. After that it stopped responding in reverse as well, unless I was to inch forward in drive only to shift back into reverse, which for a while worked. I am a city driver as well and have only added 2,000 miles in 5 months. Now after buying a used transmission and having the shop put it in, it is still not responding in reverse, which the part sold to me should have worked. Hearing this made me come to the realization that it cant be the transmission, but I know next to nothing when it comes to vehicles. When I search my car for recalls there are none but there is a recall for the transmissions made two months after mine, which to me, because my car is having the same response, the manufacturing date shouldn't matter. I have taken it to many shops and no one knows what is wrong with it, and I'm not sure if I took it to actual crossroads Chevrolet if they could figure it out either. I bought this car 5 months ago for $4700.

- Joplin, MO, USA

The car has under 100K miles and seems to be having transmission problems. Everything has been well maintaintanced. I recently purchased the car being the second owner. The car has issues getting up to speed causing people to tailgate me or speed up and go around me. You can also feel/hear the transmission going through the gears. The takeoff is absolutely terrible. You can tell the engine is working hard. The rpms don't go above the danger zone but they do rise when switching through the gears. It's very likely to cause a accident especially on the interstate. The car cannot get out of it's own way.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

Attempted to start vehicle with key in ignition and also using the factory installed wireless remote starter while car was stationary however the car would not start initially. After another attempt or two the car did start. Also, on occasion after car does finally start, it immediately turns back off. Had car battery tested which that was not the issue. Took the vehicle to local mechanic and he found nothing wrong however while the car was sitting idle with the key in the ignition and turned off with no human interaction, the car attempted to start itself 3 different occasions. He recommended taking car to the Chevy dealership and having them reprogram and inspect the remote starter connection/programming. Now the check engine light is on as a notification and the issue continues after mutiple days of repeat failed attempts to start whether from actual key or wireless remote start attempts. Whether vehicle was left inside garage or outside the issue is still the same, regardless of temperature.

- New Brighton, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. While the vehicle was parked, the ignition would inadvertently start and the rpms increased violently. All the indicators on the instrument panel were illuminated. The contact spoke with herb jones auto group (1605 ring rd, elizabethtown, ky 42701, (270) 765-2123). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and was not able to assist. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was invalid.

- Elizabethtown, KY, USA

Automatically stops

- Lafayette, LA, USA

First issue was electrical issues (bad lights, unfunctioning controls, ac adapter would not give power, outside lightbulbs do not last, headlamp controls fell apart, mirror conrtrols fell off, vent controls fell apart. When electric window control stopps working and hisses and smokes when engine is turned on. I also have been shocked painfully when trying to get the ac adapter to work. Next came repair of the ignition switch.. I could not pass state inspection because my "check engine" light was on. In August 2017, car had engine misfire, which cost me repair on the fuel pump. A few days after that, the battery died and I replaced it. One week later, , it started to smoke under the hood and the car was overheating. Then a few hours later, electric was on and off but power to vechicle stopped.. this ended up being the serp. Main belt. Next came the ignition switch. (novembwr 2017) early 2018.. ac adapter stopped working again, and it was replaced. A C stopped blowing cold air spring 2018, and within weeks, the window control failing again, I have had heat stroke twice. Window control unit smokes and hisses when I turn on engine. Window also cracked while driving 55mph. Plastic vents cracked outside therm fell off & plastic undercarriage cover ripped B4 aircond, followed by the fan. When I brought car in for airc, I was told I needed new rear brake pads and the radiator fan and compressor.. there is no therm for engine. Fixed only brakes. Car then began to overheat while in traffic. Replaced radiator fan 2 weeks later.. still need new ac compressor. Window control began to fail again next. First time window conrol failed, battery died same night, and I had to get serp. Belt and new battery. New battery has already had to be jumped 3 times, and seems as though engine misfire is beginning again. Problems going uphill today.. slow accelleration, unsteady fuel flow.

- Franklin Township, NJ, USA

The light my engine shows and it always smell labor ke oil

- Mcallen, TX, USA

At 54,600 miles it was using oil and smooking out the exhaust !! in motion. The intake manifold had a bad check valve and intake had to be replaced, very common on the 1.4 turbo engine as I found out by googling this issue, no update on manifold so this will happen again !!!

- Lambertville, MI, USA

No check engine light was on, not when vehicle has stalled. My vehicle has had multiple issues. Stalls while moving and at a dead stop. And a scent of burning like a electrical short behind the dashboard. I am afraid that this vehicle could stall while I am on the road and cause me to be rear ended causing a serious crash.

- Omaha, NE, USA