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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,569 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2013 Chevrolet Sonic engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Chevrolet Sonic Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #33

Dec 012017

Sonic

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. While operating the vehicle, a burning odor was present. Upon inspection, it was discovered that fluid/water was leaking from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to 5 star Chevrolet (495 watson blvd, warner robin, ga) where it was diagnosed that the water pump was faulty. The contact indicated that the water pump was previously replaced, but the failure recurred one year later. There were no warning indicators illuminated when the engine overheated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Perry, GA, USA

problem #32

Jan 022019

Sonic

  • 131,143 miles
I have experienced four cooling system (radiator, water pump, engine block coolant intake, coolant expansion tank, engine/turbo coolant piping) related problems with this vehicle amounting to over three thousand dollars in repair costs. Four major repair expenses on the same system is questionable in my opinion, the two most major occurring within the same month. These all were noted during normal operation of the vehicle.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #31

Oct 232018

Sonic

  • 74,000 miles
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?

- Newalla, OK, USA

problem #30

May 212018

Sonic

  • 62,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The water pump was leaking.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

problem #29

Sep 042018

Sonic

  • 24,397 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to sarra Chevrolet (1170 centerpoint parkway, birmingham, Alabama 35215, (205) 853-2906) where the thermostat was replaced at approximately 24,000 miles. The contact stated that failure recurred. The dealer diagnosis revealed diagnostic trouble code: P0597 (thermostat heater fault, replace thermostat housing). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,397.

- Springville, AL, USA

problem #28

Feb 182018

Sonic

  • 100,000 miles
The same issues with the coolant leak in the water pump for the 1.4L engine is happening to my 1.8L Chevrolet Sonic

- Dickinson, TX, USA

problem #27

Nov 232017

Sonic

  • 29,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had to replace the thermostat 3 times and it has gone out again.

- Greenfield, IA, USA

problem #26

Oct 202017

Sonic

  • 60,000 miles
Vehicle stalls and turns off on its own while driving. No warning. No codes appear on dash. After apprx 5-10 minutes of the car being dead (not able to start) it seems to "reboot" and start back up again without a jump to the battery. The car has stalled on both the freeway (1st time) and city streets. I've taken the car to two different dealers and both are unable to duplicate the problem after having the car for 3 weeks combined. A claim has been submitted to GM but with no resolution. The car just turned off on me this morning while driving my daughter to school located apprx 1 mile away from my home. Both of my daughters have witnessed the problems now 3-4X.

- Santa Fe Springs, CA, USA

problem #25

Nov 012017

Sonic

  • 16,000 miles
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.

- North Richland Hills, TX, USA

problem #24

Aug 082017

Sonic

  • 88,000 miles
The car has been having intermittent reduced engine power since September 2016. The car was taken to the dealer, the check engine light never illuminated and no problem was diagnosed. During a recent trip the car began to have reduced engine power and surging. The check engine light illuminated. Trouble code P0171. The car was taken to the dealer who set an appointment. Check engine light turned off after a couple of days. On the way to the dealer the car almost died at a stop light. The problem was diagnosed as evap purge control solenoid.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #23

Aug 082017

Sonic

  • 87,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When the car came to a complete stop at a stop light the engine was surging without application of the accelerator pedal. The check engine light came illuminated. We continued driving until about an hour later when the car was put in park in the driveway the engine surged until I shut it off. The check engine light remained illuminated and was taken to the local dealer the next day. The service advisor requested we bring it back the following Monday. The check engine light turned off while driving Saturday. During the drive back to the dealer for the Monday appointment and stopped at a stop light the engine RPM's dropped in half and ran rough for a few seconds. The RPM decrease and rough running has been a longer term issue that has been previously diagnosed with no resolution. I was advised based on current diagnosis that the evap purge control solenoid needs to be replaced.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #22

Jul 172017

Sonic

  • 82,500 miles
Acceleration is bad, and inconsisten. Also, when shifting gears the shifter button gets stuck everytime never fails. That's a real safety issue considering I accidently bump it, and the car went into manual, while driving. I barely touched it and it moved. This is the last GM car that I will ever buy always something with their cars. The acceleration for this car on the interstate is bad people go around me because it takes so long to accelerate, it also hesitates when accelerating. I've only had this car for about a month.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #21

May 172017

Sonic

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving unknown speeds, the contact smelled burning oil and smoke. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil cap seal was torn. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the failure was not covered under the power train warranty. The failure mileage was 31,000.

- Clio, MI, USA

problem #20

May 022017

Sonic

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. While the vehicle was undergoing an inspection, the contact was informed that there was a manufacturer recall regarding the catalytic converter that needed to be addressed. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred intermittently. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The recall details were not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #19

Dec 072016

Sonic

  • miles
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.

- New Iberia, LA, USA

problem #18

May 012016

Sonic

  • miles
While driving my car for the past year now I have noticed my RPM gauge sticking and revving on its own. It is starting to happen more consistently. When I'm driving downhill the RPM gauge will rev high and stay stuck high. Then when I put the car in park it will rev high on its own and stay stuck and eventually come back down. Something new I have started to experience is when I'm at a complete stop the RPM gauge will start revving up and down on it's own while my car lights brighten and dim and my warning light comes on that I'm sliding which is impossible since I'm at a complete stop. I have also noticed the transmission has started to feel jerky lately with everything else. I just purchased this vehicle almost 2 years ago and I only have 58,000 miles on it.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #17

Jul 172016

Sonic

  • 44,000 miles
Car shakes very bad when driving and approaching a stop.

- Mckeesport, PA, USA

problem #16

Jul 152016

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 200,000 miles
GM part number 95027313 outlet duct connecting the air box to the throttle body has shredded in 30,000 miles of use. This problem causes the engine to run lean (odb2 error code P0171) resulting in significantly reduced fuel economy, poor acceleration, rough idle, and potential failures to a number of costly sensors and components, as well as allowing dirty, un-filtered directly into the engine. A quick google search reveals 26,000 search results including forums and message boards where countless Sonic owners report the same issue. This is a widespread product defect and GM needs to provide a repair solution for owners of this model vehicle. The part had deteriorated to the point, where the check engine light illuminated. The consumer noticed the fuel economy of the vehicle dropping steadily from the advertised 29/city/40 highway to an average of about 25 mpg highway.

- South San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #15

Aug 012013

Sonic

  • 80 miles
I purchased my car from a dealer, who set me up for an upside loan. Putting me into another Chevy with now 2 car loans to pay off. The car has stalled on me at different times while owning it. There have been issues since shortly after purchasing it with acceleration. It jolts and jumps when trying to accelerate. The check engine light is one, sometimes it goes off, then will come back on. I have not taken it to the shop yet assuming it would be a huge expense for them to fix and find it. Took it to a private garage and they could not find the issue either. This car is crap, I owe twice as much as its worth and I do not know what to do with it. I drive an hour to work every day on the highway and I am terrified I am going to crash every single day. It happens on the highway, on the street. In the morning when it start up it jolts and sputters. If you use the heat, it smells like its burning and there is a high squealing noise coming from the passenger side.

- Kunkletown, PA, USA

problem #14

May 062016

Sonic

  • 45,000 miles
My Chevy Sonic has had a clicking noise since I purchased it. It goes dead when gas cap is removed and will not crank back. I had it worked on at a dealership $306 later it is still doing the exact same things. I purchased vehicle with 21 miles on it. I am on the road for my job. This vehicle has been a headache since purchase. I cannot afford another payment. Sure cant afford the bill from the shop when it doesn't fix any of the problems. The vehicle has had to be jumped off to start. I purchased new battery even when auto parts store tested old battery and stated it was good and alternator was charging. I am furious. What is a honest person to do"???"when dealership doesn't hold up to correcting the problem. Nothing to them it ruins your credit, not their name. I have had to be towed due to vehicle not cranking even when being jumped off. Help!!! dealership/GM should be honest and fix the problems. Apparently they don't value repeat customers!!!

- Ellijay, GA, USA

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