This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Greenwood, AR, USA
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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.
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.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the ignition key would not release from the switch until after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the gear shift console housing was cleaned internally. The shifter cable was also cleaned with a degreaser solution. The vehicle was repaired however, one week later the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned that after numerous attempts, the vehicle was able to start and function properly. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 120,000.
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.
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!
I have found the switch blade key used by many Chevrolet products has a tendency to operate when the key is put in your pants pocket. On many occasions I have locked or unlocked the doors or released the trunk latch simply by sitting down or walking down the steps.this is a minor problem until you realize there is an auto start feature on this key and I worry that I could accidentally start the car by sitting in my lazyboy with the key in my pocket. The results could be death due to carbon monoxide with the garage being under the bedrooms.the buttons are not recessed and are easily activated by rubbing on your leg. I have had a similar key fob from Ford for many years and have never had any problem like this.
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- Katy, TX, USA