8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
13,650 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
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problem #4

Jul 112016

Sonic LS 1.8L Ecotec Vvt 4 Cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,039 miles

On 11 July 2016, whilst stopped at a traffic light at night, our 2012 Sonic with 31,039 miles, shut down completely. The engine stopped. Both the headlights and control panel lights went dark. Fortunately, the hazard flasher did work. After a little delay, we were able to start the car. We took the car to the dealer the next morning. There was no error code stored from the incident and absolutely nothing at all came up in a comprehensive diagnostic. Having no clue as to what happened or how to prevent it, we are left wondering when it will happen again and how dangerous a circumstance it might put us in.

- Clifford G., Owings Mills, MD, US

problem #3

Dec 182012

Sonic LT 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 8,900 miles

this car is a mess. I'm scared to drive it .It cut off on me while i was driving 50 miles an hour.Its a 5 speed & it shut off and then turned back on while in 5th gear. this car is not safe.

- Misty B., Powder Springs, GA, US

problem #2

Apr 112012

Sonic LT 1.8L 4 cyl 6speed Trans

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,003 miles

click to see larger images

engine stalls/dies while driving engine stalls/dies while driving engine stalls/dies while driving engine stalls/dies while driving engine stalls/dies while driving engine stalls/dies while driving

I've been having Transmission Hesitation issues since April of 2012. Every time I take it in to the Service Department, there are NO CODES, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT coming on. They've explained to me how the Engine Control Module (ECM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) work, and how they function in shifting the gears over at the appropriate points. I suggested that maybe, just maybe there was something wrong with the computer itself, that just maybe there's some sort of glitch in the vehicle's main computer, and that's why no check engine light or codes show up. They tried to tell me that there's absolutely NO WAY that could EVER happen, that it would be a One in One Million chance of that ever possible happening.

Well guess what... MAYBE YOU'RE ALL WRONG!!! Why then do I have photographic and video recorded proof of the vehicle operating abnormally. You can never duplicate the same thing as the photos and videos, but there's nothing wrong?!?!?!?!

- Christopher S., Traverse City, MI, US

problem #1

Feb 222012

Sonic 2LT 1.8L DOHC

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

No check engine light has ever come on, not when vehicle has stalled, when vehicle has had difficulty starting and staying started, not during transmission slips or hesitation or during surging. DEFECT!!! EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT!!!! My vehicle has had multiple issues. Stalls while moving and at a dead stop. engine power loss while trying to accelerate turning left at intersection, almost caused me to get hit, then once i floored it and it kicked in it surged me forward almost up the curb and straight into a pole, able to correct last minute with jerking the steering. Today, attempted to crank and once final able to start, it sounded like an old pick without gas about to die first thing in the morning, my car visibly shook so much I could see the wheels moving back and forth. Once stabilized it idled itself high and low. According to a different dealer this morning, no codes in system for what happened. no codes and no light! Still refusing to replace or fix. Apparently there is no re coarse for a vehicle that may have a defective computer module. Next time I may not be able to be so quick or have the room to correct the steering and people will read about a fatal accident due to vehicle defect!

- hmae37, Springfield, MO, US