2013 Chevrolet Sonic Problems

The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously sustained undercarriage damage while driving at 20 MPH and hitting a pothole. The undercarriage was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. A coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled into the Walmart parking lot and parked the vehicle. An independent mechanic was notified of the failure. The contact stated that while the mechanic was towing the vehicle to the repair shop, the vehicle caught on fire. The mechanic pulled over to the side of the road. The incident occurred near the mechanic's shop. The contact stated that the workers of a nearby recreation center extinguished the fire with fire extinguishers. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The contact stated that the fire originated from the engine compartment. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

Vehicle enters into catalyst monitor too early. Monitor Fales indicating that the catalyst is below efficiency threshold. A vehicle is run for a significant amount of time before being allowed to enter the driving conditions for the catalyst monitor, monitor will pass. This indicates that there is a programming failure, not an actual component failure. Theory has been tested multiple times. Catalyst had also been tested by temperature sensor as well as by taking readings with a gas analyzer before and after the catalyst. Everything indicates the catalyst is well within operating parameters. Theories, test, and confirmations have been conducted by a certified technician and mechanical engineer.

Was driving in heavy rain when car suddenly cut power and decelerated showed code 84 and the CEL came back with P2138. It is a known issue that rain gets up into the connector and causes a malfunction.

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the rear windshield suddenly imploded, causing glass shards to be propelled inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that it sounded as if a shotgun had been fired. As a result of the implosion, the contact sustained injuries to the left eye. The contact sought medical attention. The contact stated that there was an abnormal electrical humming sound coming from the rear windshield prior to the failure. The contact stated that the defroster was not activated at the time of the failure. The contact stated that there was prior electrical shortage failures with the vehicle. Additionally, there was melted solder present at the rear window defroster electrical connection. An unknown local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact stated that he had a Police Report for the failure. The contact stated that a field investigator was sent to the residence to inspect the vehicle; however, the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 125,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, the ignition key remained stuck in the ignition switch. Additionally, the contact noticed that the gear shift indicator was indicating that the transmission was in park(P) and in drive(D) simultaneously. The contact stated that upon moving the gear shifter in and out of park(P) several times, and shifting back to park(P), the contact was able to release the key. The contact stated that the failure had recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the gear shifter was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,419.

2013 Chevrolet Sonic 1.8 L , fuel system lean ,mass airflow sensor, in limp mode preventing acceleration, gas tank when added gas....shuts down after start up-fuel system/gasoline; may cause possible fuel leak and could combust, alarm system and locks don't properly function - electric system equipment, insufficient welds...around fuel tank and front of vehicle on bottom by driver's side could also cause combustion, bcm codes that came up were communication, electrical, fuel, windows, and airbags! AutoZone codes were po171 and co561-77,I looked up recalls , several came up for my make and model but weren't specific to my vin# however my vehicle is doing everything pertaining to them! And I looked up if there was any special coverage on it and said there is...before 120k miles or ten years time. And I was never notified of it & never received anything in the mail ...

On 7-27-2023 General Motors issued a recall on 2013 models of Sonic, my VIN was not included in this recall. However on 4-16-2025 my sonic was involved in a impact incident in which the air bags should have deployed, and did not. It is my opinion that Chevy, knowing of the issues with the model of car, should have issued a recall for my vehicle as well, but did not. As a result I suffered additional strain and injury during my impact as no airbags deployed.

The Sonic rear ended a stationary vehicle going close to 50mph. No airbags deployed.

CODE 84 WHILE DRIVING ON REGULAR ROAD AT NORMAL SPEED. CAR GOES INTO POWER REDUCTION MODE. IT'S DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE AND THE "SEE MECHANIC" SYMBOL ON THE DASH. TOOK IT TO MIDAS, HAD THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND ELECTRICAL WIRES GREASED. NEXT WEEK SAME THING, REPLACED PEDAL ASSEMBLY AGAIN. SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY. DRIVING IN NICE WEATHER GOING UNDER 45MPH. STABILITRACK LIGHT COMES ON AND POWER REDUCTION TURNS ON. TURN CAR OFF, SIT A MINUTE, TURN BACK ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND POWER REDUCTION OFF. WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. EVERY DAY FOR THE LAST 3 WEEKS AFTER ABOUT A YEAR AGO HAVING PEDAL ASSEMBLY REPLACED. CODE 84 CAME ON AGAIN TODAY, TOOK TO THE MECHANIC, THEY SAY EVERYTHING IS RUNNING FINE WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC READING. NOT SURE WHY THE POWER REDUCTION COMES ON. I HAVE TRIED DRIVING WITH TRACTION CONTROL OFF, TC OFF AND STABILITRACK OFF. NEW TIRES, NEW BRAKES, NEW WINDSHIELD (REPLACED WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IN CASE THERE WAS AN INTERNAL LEAK. NO WATER INTRUSION WAS FOUND BY THE MECHANICS. I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY ON THE BUSY ROAD I WORK ON. CAR WILL GO INTO POWER REDUCTION AT RANDOM EVEN WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE FAST ENOUGH TO NOT GET HIT. ALWAYS WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT ON AT ALL. INTERMITTENT POWER REDUCTION. MECHANICS SAY COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT COULDN'T FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF FOR OVER A YEAR AND NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND. ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE IS SCHEDULED IN A TIMELY FASHION. UNKNOWN CAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUE

CODE P0171 AND P0420. I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING IN THE CAR THAT THESE CODES STATE. NEW THERMOSTAT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, BOTH 02 SENSORS, EXHAUST HOSE. FIXES FOR A FEW DAYS TO A WEEK AND THE SAME CODES KEEP COMING BACK. NOW THE BUTTON ON MY GEAR SHIFT STICKS KEEPING THE GEAR SHIFT FROM LOCKING INTO PLACE. THIS STOPS ME FROM BEING ABLE TO TURN MY CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION.

Was driving in heavy rain when car suddenly cut power and decelerated showed code 84 and the CEL came back with P2138. It is a known issue that rain gets up into the connector and causes a malfunction.

2013 Chevrolet Sonic 1.8 L , fuel system lean ,mass airflow sensor, in limp mode preventing acceleration, gas tank when added gas....shuts down after start up-fuel system/gasoline; may cause possible fuel leak and could combust, alarm system and locks don't properly function - electric system equipment, insufficient welds...around fuel tank and front of vehicle on bottom by driver's side could also cause combustion, bcm codes that came up were communication, electrical, fuel, windows, and airbags! AutoZone codes were po171 and co561-77,I looked up recalls , several came up for my make and model but weren't specific to my vin# however my vehicle is doing everything pertaining to them! And I looked up if there was any special coverage on it and said there is...before 120k miles or ten years time. And I was never notified of it & never received anything in the mail ...

Last week when I was driving my car on the street, and wanted to make a left the steering wheel was very hard to turn. And the next day It happened again , steering hard to turn and it’s been intermittent but not driving my car right now, thanks for your attention

MY SONIC HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA RECALL NO. : 19E-064, MANUFACTURER RECALL NO. : N192223230. EXCEPT, IT HAPPENED WHEN I REACHED TO USE THE WIPERS RATHER THAN HITTING THE KEY FOB WITH MY LEG. I REACHED TO USE THE WIPERS AND MY ARM HIT THE KEY FOB, KNOCKING IT INTO THE NEXT POSITION, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. IT COULD HAVE JUST AS EASILY MOVED OVER ONE MORE AND LOCKED THE STEERING. THE RECALL WAS DONE ON THE CAMARO'S, SO WHY WASN'T IT DONE ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE USING THE SAME KEY FOB AND IGNITION REPLACEMENT? WAS IT BECAUSE THE CAMARO'S PRICE IS 4 TIMES THE PRICE OF A SONIC? ARE CAMARO DRIVERS MORE VALUABLE THAN SONIC DRIVERS? THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INCLUDING THE CAMARO RECALL, BUT NOT THE SONIC. HTTPS://WWW.GMIGNITIONSWITCHECONOMICSETTLEMENT.COM/ I REPORTED THIS BACK IN 2014, AND NEVER HEARD A WORD ABOUT IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FAILED TWICE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,889. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

CAR SHAKES VERY BAD WHEN DRIVING AND APPROACHING A STOP.

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the rear windshield suddenly imploded, causing glass shards to be propelled inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that it sounded as if a shotgun had been fired. As a result of the implosion, the contact sustained injuries to the left eye. The contact sought medical attention. The contact stated that there was an abnormal electrical humming sound coming from the rear windshield prior to the failure. The contact stated that the defroster was not activated at the time of the failure. The contact stated that there was prior electrical shortage failures with the vehicle. Additionally, there was melted solder present at the rear window defroster electrical connection. An unknown local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact stated that he had a Police Report for the failure. The contact stated that a field investigator was sent to the residence to inspect the vehicle; however, the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 125,000.

I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A LOUD SOUND ( LIKE A GUN SHOT)LOOKED AROUND AND MY REAR (BACK) WINDOW HAD SHATTERED.

THE SONIC NOW RUNS VERY SPOTTY, POOR ACCELERATION, AND SLOW BUMPY IDLE. PRIOR BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED AND THE CV AXIL , ENTIRE ENGINE REPLACED. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WATER PUMP REPLACED. THESE REPAIRS, WITH RECEIPTS, CONSTITUTE A LEMON LAW BREACH. I SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO A NEW CAR OR COMPENSATED. YES, THE SUSPENSION ISSUE DID HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AS WELL AS THE ENGINE. WILL UPLOAD DOCUMENTS SOON.OH, ONE LAST THING, VERY DIFFICULT REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION, BEEN GOING ON 4 MONTHS.

THE INDICATIOR LIGHT FOR LOW TIRE PRESSURE COMES ON BUT NO WARNING CHIME IS HEARED. THIS CAN BE VERY BAD WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE TIRE WAS LOOSING PRESSURE WITHOUT ME KNOWING AND I HAD NO CLUE UNTIL THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL IT. THE CHIME NEVER WENT OFF. SAME WITH AN OVER HEATING ISSUE THE LIGHT CAME ON BUT I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS OVER HEATING UNTIL IT STATED SHAVING AND STEAMING AND I LOOKED AT THE DASH TO SEE THE LIGHT ON.

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND WAS COMING UP TO AN INTERSECTION I HAD TO TURN AT. I PUSHED THE BREAK PEDAL, BUT IT WAS REALLY STIFF AND DIDN'T DO MUCH. MY CAR SLID ACROSS THE ROAD INTO A WOODEN ELECTRIC POLE BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT STOP. MY CAR IS TOTALED AND NOW I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT SOME WAY TO GET A DIFFERENT VEHICLE.

FOR ALL BLACK 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC'S HAVE A BAD PAINT JOB.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CHIME FAILED TO SOUND WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOLD RUSH CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 570 GRASS VALLEY HWY, AUBURN, CA 95603, (530) 392-4672), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ALL THE DOORS FAILED TO REMAIN UNLOCKED WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5199799138. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

-ENGINE VALVE OIL LEAK -ENGINE VALVE COVER HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK -OIL PAN LEAK -HOSES FELL APART WHILE ON HIGHWAY (495) CAUSING ALL REFRIGERANT TO LEAK OUT AND CAUSE A/C TO BLOW WARM AIR -ALL COOLANT LEAKED OUT DUE TO FAULTY THERMOMETER HOUSING & GASKET CAUSING THE HEAT TO BLOW OUT COLD AIR. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ENGINE TEMPERATURE LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE RESOVOIRE -SIDE MIRRORS STOPPED ADJUSTING DUE TO FAULTY SWITCH -DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT HAD A SHORTAGE DUE TO FAULTY SEAT CUSHION THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD TO BE PRACTICALLY REBUILT DUE TO CHEAP/FAULTY PARTS. LEAKING COOLANT CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.

THE CAR HESATATES, THE RADIO SOME TIMES DOES'T COME ON, THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT TIEN UP WHEN YOU BUCKLE UP, AND THE SEATS ARE VERY LOW TO THE GROUND FOR A HANDICAP PERSON

WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER IN MY CAR THE LIGHT WILL STAY OFF FOR THE AIRBAG AND SO WILL THE SAT BELT LIGHT WHEN I AM SEATING STILL ANYWHERE FROM A PARKING SPOT TO A STOP LIGHT ANYWHERE MY CAR WILL IDEL UP TO 2500-3000 RPMS AND MY FEET RE ON THE BREAK AND CLUTCH IF I DONT WATCH CLOSELY AND LET THE BREAK OFF ANY MY CAR WILL TAKE OFF

IT STARTED WITH THE RADIO GOING DARK SOMETIMES NOT WORKING THEN THE WINDOWS WONT" GO DOWN THEN MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON TOOK IT TO MANY MECHANICS NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG FINALLY ONE TOLD ME THAT SOME SONICS HAD A RECALL AND IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING AS MINE.THIS IS MORE OFTEN IT WAS ONCE IN A WHILE BUT NOW IS VERY OFTEN MY RADIO DOESN'T COME ON AND MY HEAD LIGHTS KEEPS GOING OFF TOO. *TR

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.

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, she heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the rear wheels of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that she heard clicking sounds while making turns. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove to her residence and parked the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

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

4 ASPEN TOURING TIRES PURCHASED IN 8/2015. IN DEC 2015, 1 OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT. BIG O SAID IT WAS SOMETHING OWNER RAN OVER BUT OWNER SAYS SHE DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING AND THE BLOW OUT WAS ON THE SIDE NOT ON THE TREAD. OWNER REPLACED WITH NEW ASPEN TOURING TIRE ON 1/14/2016. ON 3/6/2016, OWNER NOTICED A BLISTER ON THE SIDEWALL OF ONE OF THE TIRES. SHE WILL NEED TO REPLACE ANOTHER ONE OF THE TIRES BEFORE IT BLOWS OUT. 2 TIRES IN 6 MONTHS.

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.