42 of the
1,423 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Sonic
are about the stability control —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2012.
42
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
Stability & Traction Control complaints by model year
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The ESC and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the Intake Plenum Gasket and other unknown parts needed to be sealed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,299.
NHTSA complaint #11595505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THISNVEHICLE WAS PURCHASE ON THE YEAR 2016 OF APRIL. SO HAPPY AT FIRST BUT IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS HAVE PROBLEM WITH LIGHTS AND ONE OF TTHE COVER OF THE FRONT MIRRORS ARE MISSING . CALLED AND WENT BACK TO THE DEALER (TOYOTA OF NORTH HOLLYWOOD ) AND SAID BRING IT TO THE CHEVY BRANCH WHERE THEY CANNCHECK AND FIX IT . IT WAS STRESSING AND DEPRESSING CAUSE EVRYWEEK PASSED YOU'LL EXPERIENCED ANOTHER PROBLEM SUCH AS AIRDCONDITION AND HEATER NOT WORKING . I'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO CHEVY IN VAN NUYS , CALIFORNIA BUT THEY ARE SAYING THAT THERE'S NO WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE . I TRIED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THAT DEALER BUT THEY SAID THAT MY CREDIT SCORE STILL LOW OF COURSE IT WILL SHOW THAT CAUSE I JUST BOUGHT IT AND MY CREDIT HASN'T BEEN SMESTABLISH YET , WHEN I BOUGHT IT THEY ASKED A LARGE AMOUNT $3500 OF DOWN PAYMENT DUE TO HAVING LOW SCORE. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE CAUSE I WILL USE A VEHICLE THAT HAS ELECTRICAL DISFUNCTIONAL. I HAVEN'T EVEN USE THE HEATER AND THE AIRCON ON THIS CAR EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT CAUSE IT'S NOT WORKING . YOU CAN ASK THE DEALER HOW MANY TIMES I WENT THERE AND TRIED TO BEG TO GIVE ME A DIFFERENT CAR BUT NO LUCK INSTEAD I FOUND OUT THE SALES PERSON SOLD THE CAR TO ME WASN'T WORKING THERE ANYMORE . AND I WALKED OUT WITHOUT ANY HELP FROM THEM . YOU CAN EVEN ASK CHEVY IN VAN NUYS HOW MANY TIME I'VE BEEN THERE TO ASK HELP CAUSE THE DEALER ALWAYS POINTING ME BACK TO THEM . IT'S HARD TO USE A FINANCE CAR PAYING $396 SOMETHING A MONTH AND THE CAR IS NOT FUNCTIONING RIGHT . THEY HAVE ADDED A GAP INSURANCE ON MY CONTRACT AND EVEN THAT COMPANY WASN'T HELPING ME AT ALL . SO I END UP USING THIS CAR WITHOUT ACCESS ON AIRCONDITION AND HEATER . SUFFER 4 YEARS WITHOUT THESE BENEFITS . I COULDN'T AFFORD FIXING THAT EVER SINCE CAUSE IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE . YOU CAN SEE THAT I HAVEN'T PUT A LOT OF MILEAGE ON THIS CAR CAUSE I DON'T REALLY USE IT THAT MUCH. STILL PAYING THIS .
NHTSA complaint #11351713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED A CAR FROM ROYAL KIA ON MAY 29TH A WEEK LATER I FELT A POOL ON THE GAS PEDAL TOOK IT IN TO ROYAL KIA AND HE SAID IT WAS JUST A SHIFTING GEARS SECOND WEEK ALMOST DIED ON ME WHILE DRIVING IT WAS BETWEEN 2:00 AND 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON IT KIND OF FELT LIKE IF IT WAS OVERHEATED AND EVERY TIME I CAME TO A STOP AND TRY TO GO IT ALMOST DIED TOOK IT BACK INTO ROYAL KIA THEY HAVE BEEN GIVING ME SUCH A HARD TIME I DON'T FEEL IT'S SAFE FOR ME I'VE TRIED TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT GIVE ME GIVING ME MY MONEY BACK SO I CAN PURCHASE SOMETHING ELSE IT'S SAFER I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THIS CAR THE GUY FROM ROYAL KIA THE SALESPERSON WANTED TO TAKE IT TO GREEN VALLEY AND TO WORK ON IT AT HIS HOUSE I REFUSE TO LET HIM DO THAT UNTIL THE MANAGER UMBERTO CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR MECHANICS LOOK AT IT BUT HE WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC I JUST DIDN'T TRUST THEM I I'VE BEEN AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR OF GETTING STRANDED SOMEWHERE THIS WEEK ON MONDAY THEY FINALLY GAVE ME A RENTAL I GOT THINGS DONE IN THESE PAST FEW DAYS AND I HAVE WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR
NHTSA complaint #11350413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LIGHTS COME ON AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 12 MILES, THE ENGINE LOOSES POWER BAD , WHEN YOU LET UP ON GAS FOOT IT TAKES VERY LONG TO GET IT GOING SLOW TO BUILD UP POWER.REGULAR ROADWAY, NO HILLS .LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN PARKED A WHILE THEN COME BACK ON AFTER 12 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11343185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #11338696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR STARTING KILLING ON ME I HAD TO LEAVE IT AND GET A RIDE HOME A COUPLE OFF TIMES THE LAST TIME I HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WERE THEY FOUND OUT THE CAR WAS SOLD TO ME WITH A LOCK OUT DEVICE ON IT THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE 1-29 I GOT FIRED BECAUSE OF NO TRANSPORTION
NHTSA complaint #11317647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN MAY OF 2019 WHILE TRYING TO START PUSH BUTTON CAR WOULD NOT START LIGHTS CAME ON IN CAR SAYING SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE STABILITRAK I GOT IT TO DEALER IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME THEY HAD ME REPLACE A BATTERY FOR OVER $200 WHICH THEY SAY WAS CAUSE ONLY FOR THIS SAME THING TO HAPPEN IN AUG2019/ WHICH THEY CLAIM THEY REPAIRED BOTH TIMES WHILE DRIVING WHEEL TIGHTENS UP AND U CAN'T STEER EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS THEY CLAIM COULD NOT SERVICE CAR CAUSE THEY HAD TO SEE THE READING ON DASHBOARD THEN AGAIN IN NOVEMBER 2019 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND NOW WARRANTY IS OUT THEY MIRACULOUSLY FOUND OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR BUT WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE OF WARRANTY OUT I FEEL THEY SOLD ME A BAD CAR AND NOW WANT TO CHARGE ME ALL THIS MONEY TO FIX CAR WHEN I DID WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO IN TAKING CAR IN WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY JUST CLAIM THEY FIXED CAR AND NEVER DID THIS HAS PUT MY FAMILY AND I IN DANGER NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE I TRUSTED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE CAR ONLY TO FEEL LIED TO NOW I AM STUCK WITH A CAR NOTE ON A CAR I CAN NOT DRIVE AND ALSO WONDERING HOW I CAN GET IT FIXED BUT HONESTLY BELIEVE THEY WILL NEVER FIX CAR RIGHT AT LONESTAR CHEVROLET BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING OR WHAT'S EVEN WRONG WITH THE CAR I HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK FROM ALL THE TIMES I TOOK THE CAR IN AND PICTURES OF DASHBOARD READINGS
NHTSA complaint #11282854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED MY CAR ON MARCH 9,2019. IN MAY I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP [XXX] IN MOULTRIE, GEORGIA WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND NO ONE LOOKED AT IT, IT JUST SAT OUT THERE. WHEN I'M AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT TOO LONG MY CAR WILL CUT OFF OCCASIONALLY AND ALWAYS HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING EVEN SOMETIMES WHEN I?M IN REVERSE. I GOT MY TRANSMISSION LOOKED AT AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. ONE DAY AFTER I STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND ACCELERATED MY CAR CUT OFF WHILE I WAS ALREADY IN DRIVE AND I ALMOST GOT HIT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT IT FROM AND TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS CUTTING WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND HE SAID ALL HE COULD TELL ME WAS TO KEEP DRIVING IT AND HE DON'T REMEMBER SELLING ME NO CAR, WHEN I TOLD HIM HE DID AND HIS NAME IS EVEN ON MY PAPERWORK LISTED [XXX]. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY MECHANIC SHOP AND NEITHER SHOPS COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. IN SEPTEMBER I CALLED THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURING OFFICE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST CHEVROLET PLACE. THEY LOOKED AT AND COULDN?T FIND ANYTHING AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T COMING ON BUT THEY TEST DROVE IT AND SEEN EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. THEY TRIED DOING AN INDUSTRIAL FLUSH AND IT DIDN'T WORK. THEY SUGGESTED MY ALTERNATOR BE REPLACED CAUSE IT WAS READING A 15, SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER BE REPLACED, I DID THAT AND TOOK IT TO AN AUTO MECHANIC SHOP SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE A WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM ISN'T FIXED AND IT STILL JERKS AND CUTS OFF TO THIS DAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11270721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11243204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2013 SONIC LS -FROM THE START, THE AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK, THE CAR WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY SWAYS UNCONTROLLABLY BUT SEEMS LIKE WIND AT FIRST BUT THERE'S NO WIND. IT STARTED JERKING AND HESITATING, LIGHTS AND RADIO FLICKERING, WHEN IN MOTION IN FREEWAY, CAR STARTED GETTING HOT BUT NOT ALL THE WAY OVER HEATING PULLED OVER THEN THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED IN THE TURN TO PULL OVER, WHEN STOPPED, THE CAR RPM STARTED REVVING BUT CAR WASN'T GOING NOWHERE, THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF AFTER PUTTING IN PARK AND AND THE KEY WON'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION...AFTER WIGGLING THE KEY FOR A FEW MINUTES IT RELEASED. TOWED THE CAR TO FRIENDLIES AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND TOLD THEM EVERYTHING THAT WAS HAPPENING THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE RATIATOR FOR $1400.00 AND WE PAID IT. HOWEVER THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING AND THE RADIATIR DIDNT FIX ANYTHING WE SEEN AS BEING WRONG. NOW THEY SAID IT'S THE COMPRESSOR BUT WE DON'T HAVE ADDITIONAL MONEY TO CONTINUE FIXING. I READ ONLINE OTHERS WITH THIS CAR ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11240232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED AND TURNED OFF, THE HORN GOES OFF EACH TIME. IF PARKED BUT STILL RUNNING, THE HORN GOES OFF EVERY 2-3 MINUTES. WHEN LOCKING THE CAR, IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY NOISE INDICATING IT HAS BEEN LOCKED. WHEN PHONE IS PLUGGED IN, THE MUSIC DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK PROPERLY. THERE IS A PIECE TO ONE OF THE HOSES THAT BROKE AND IS NOW MAKING CAR RUN LEAN. WHEN IDLING (AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN) THE ENGINE SHAKES VIGOROUSLY AND IS HARDER TO GET BACK SPEED. WHEN CAR IS RUNNING AND THE HOOD IS OPEN, THERE IS A HISSING SOUND.
NHTSA complaint #11206508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'VE REALIZED AND NOTICED IN MY VEHICLE; THAT SOME THINGS AREN'T ELECTRONIC SET CORRECT. MY AIR BAG LIGHT FOR PASSENGER; DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER. SOME DAYS IT WILL BE ON AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT. MY SCREEN GLITCHES HERE AND THERE AND NOT WORKING CORRECTLY EVEN WITH TOUCH. A FEW BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WILL ARE NOT AS WELL WORKING FOR SOME REASON. MY FUEL GAGE FOR MILES CHANGES AND NOT SET UP CORRECTLY WITH PUMP. IT WILL SHOW 280 WHEN FULL THE. MOVE UP MAYBE 15 MINUTES LATER THEN BACK DOWN. NOT LIKE IT WAS WHEN I FIRST PURCHASE MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11194353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SPEED LIMIT GOES IN AND OUT TO DIFFERENT NUMBER SO I WON'T KNOW WHAT'S THE ACTUAL LIMIT. THE RADIO GOES IN AND OUT SO SOMETIMES WHEN IT COMES BACK IN IT SCARES ME. DIFFERENT SIGNALS ARE POPPING IN AND OUT ON THE DASHBOARD SO I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THAT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR SO THE DATE IS WHEN I RECEIVED THE CAR. THE CAR'S DEALER SAID THEY TRIED EVERYTHING AND THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD COULD DO.
NHTSA complaint #11185497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. ENGINE RANDOMS SHUTS OFF. CAR WONT START AFTER FILLING CAR UP. T/C COMES ON RANDOMLY AND CAR STARTS SHAKING. LIGHTS OF CAR DIM WHEN YOU ACCELERATE.
NHTSA complaint #11180554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE LIGHT ON. RPMS GOING UP AND DOWN IN IDLE. CAR STALLS WHEN FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNING. RPMS GO VERY HIGH AFTER BEING DRIVEN WHEN SHIFTED INTO PARK. GEAR SHIFTER BUTTON STICKS AND MUST BE MANUALLY POPPED OUT. STABILITRAK LIGHT COMING ON.
NHTSA complaint #11121612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
"TAKATA RECALL". MY AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT ON MAY 28,2018 WHILE I WAS SITTING IN MY YARD WAITING TO COOK OFF MY CAR. SO I HAVE REPLACED THE AIR COMPRESSOR FUSE AND RELAYS AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. IT CAME ON ONCE SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN EXCHANGED AND THE COMPRESSOR STILL WILL NOT COME BACK ON AFTER I HAVE HAD IT UNPLUGGED AND PLUGGED BACK IN.
NHTSA complaint #11115774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY STEELING WHEEL CONTROL BUTTONS JUST STOP WORKING AS WELL AS TRUCK AND OFF ROAD BUTTON IN MIDDLE STOP WORKING. AFTER STOPPING TO CHECK, A REVERSE CAMERA COMES ON NOW BUT NO CAMERA IS ON THIS MODEL. NEVER SEEN THE CAMERA BEFORE. AND TEMPERATURE IS NOT DISPLAYED ON SCREEN ANY MORE.
NHTSA complaint #11103650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN STARTING OUR 2017 CHEVROLET SONIC THERE IS EXHAUST FUMES THAT ARE VERY STRONG THAT EVEN MAKE IT INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE EXHAUST WHEN IDLING WILL HAVE A LOUD RATTLE AND WILL BOTH ACCOMPANY THE EXHAUST FUMES AND AT TIMES WHEN THERE ISN'T THE STRONG EXHAUST FUMES. WE HAVE ALSO RECENTLY HAD TO START TURNING THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND WATCHING TO MAKE SURE IT STAYS OFF BECAUSE IT WILL RANDOMLY ACTIVATE ON DRY PAVEMENT AND WE WILL HAVE TO HOLD TIGHT TO THE STEERING WHEEL OR IT WILL JERK THE VEHICLE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED CAR ACCIDENTS ON THREE SEPARATE OCCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11103355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WENT TO PASS AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER ON AN INTERSTATE AND AS I ACCELLERATED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL, WHEN I RAN OVER A BUMPY PART IN THE ROAD DUE TO A BRIDGE THAT FELL , I LOST ALL STABILITY CONTROL AND CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. WE SLAMMED INTO THE CAB OF THE RITE ENTRANCE WHEELER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IN THE FRONT. NO AIR BAGS WERE RELEASED. WHEN WE HIT THE EITEEN WHEELER IT PUSHED OUR CAR TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE WIRE RAILING, THE BACK OF OUR VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HIT THE TRAILER. NO AIR BAGS RELEASED. WE THEN GRINNED ACROSS THE WIRE RAILING AND RAN OVER A FEW CONES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ON ALL THREE IMPACTS, NO AIR BAGS WERE RELEASED.
NHTSA complaint #11080642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SOMETIMES DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN BRAKING, WHILE IN MOTION. IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES BURRS ON IGNITION KEYS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION SWITCH
NHTSA complaint #11062157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.