Ceasing production in 2020, the Chevy Sonic has a reputation for lasting up to 200,000 miles. Depending on how many miles you drive each year, your car could last 10-20 years.

When rating reliability, consideration is made regarding frequency, severity, and cost of repairs. According to RepairPal, the Chevy Sonic reliability rating is 4.0 out of 5.0. The Sonic requires repairs about five times a year, with an annual maintenance and repair cost averaging $536.

While the ratings sound good, there is always the possibility of purchasing a lemon. Keep reading to learn about Chevrolet Sonic common problems and whether you need to contact a Florida lemon law lawyer for help.

Transmission Problems

The Chevy Sonic problems include issues with the transmission. Transmission problems are most prevalent in the 2012-2015 vehicles. Minor repairs will cost you about $100 to fix, but others may require a new transmission.

Hesitant Shifting

The most frequent transmission issue is hesitant shifting. This does not happen with manual transmissions. It is only a problem in cars with an automatic transmission.

You may notice the car working harder than usual when speeding up or slowing down. This is a sign the vehicle’s computer handling shifting isn’t engaging properly. The problem usually begins at around 30,000 miles.

Turbine Shaft Fracture

Chevrolet has issued 30 recalls on the Sonic from 2012 to 2018. One of those recalls involves 2014 vehicles for a turbine shaft fracture.

The turbine shaft transfers energy from the engine to the wheels. The car cannot operate properly if the shaft fractures. The problem usually appears after 70,000 miles and requires a new transmission.

The signs you have this problem depend on what gear the vehicle is in. If the car won’t shift above second gear, it slows down, but the driver can usually stop safely.

The car will stop running if the shaft breaks while in third to sixth gear. The driver may be in danger if driving in heavy traffic or at high speed.

Shifter Button

The shifter button may become difficult to impossible to press. This can make it unworkable when trying to put the vehicle into gear.

If driving, it may cause the stick shift to catch mid-gear. When that happens, the vehicle may accidentally be thrown into reverse while moving at high speed.

The problem usually arises around 54,000 miles and is most common in 2012 models.

Engine Stalling or Not Starting

After driving about 70,000 miles, some 2014 Sonics have a problem stalling when on the road. When this happens, everything requiring power stops working.

There is also a problem with not being able to start the car when parked, requiring a jump. Several things may cause this problem:

  • Alternator broken
  • Battery corrosion
  • Dead battery
  • Fuel filter broken
  • Fuel filter clogged
  • Key fob battery weak
  • Spark plug faulty or broken

A weak battery in the key fob will not activate the push to start system.

Radiator Leaking

Chevy Sonic radiator leaks can result from a bad water pump, thermostat, hoses, or coolant. If the radiator is leaking, your engine will run hot or overheat. Overheating can result in severe long-term damage, including a cracked head or bad head gasket.

Signs of a radiator leak include:

  • Coolant under the vehicle near the bumper
  • Overheating
  • Squealing belt
  • White smoke under the hood

The best way to resolve a radiator leak is to replace it.

Is Your Chevy Sonic a Lemon?

Many problems do not begin until after the vehicle reaches a high mileage. You may be wondering about warranty or lemon law coverage if your car is previously owned. Florida has a lemon law for used vehicles.

If your Chevy Sonic is experiencing ongoing problems, Jonathan D. Schwartz is the Florida Lemon Law Lawyer you need on your side. Please don’t wait; contact us today for help with your lemon!