2019 Chevrolet Sonic problems
The Chevrolet Aveo (/əˈveɪ.oʊ/ ə-VAY-oh) is a five-passenger, front-drive subcompact car (B-segment) marketed by General Motors (GM) since 2002 over two generations. Originally developed by South Korean manufacturer Daewoo Motors and marketed as the Daewoo Kalos, the takeover of Daewoo by GM to form GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GMDAT) resulted in the car's marketing in 120 countries under seven brands (Chevrolet, Daewoo, ZAZ, Holden, Pontiac, Ravon and Suzuki) — prominently as the Aveo.
The second-generation Aveo, developed by GM Korea (formerly GMDAT), was introduced in 2011 and was also marketed as the Chevrolet Sonic in markets including the Americas, Japan, Middle East, South Africa and several Southeast Asian markets. Production of the second-generation model ended in October 2020.
Since 2017, GM marketed the Chinese market Chevrolet Sail sedan in Mexico and other Central American countries as the Aveo. Developed by GM PATAC in China and produced by joint venture SAIC-GM, it was positioned below the more advanced Sonic. In 2023, GM imported a new version to Mexico in a sedan and hatchback form, developed and manufactured by another Chinese joint venture, SAIC-GM-Wuling.
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Common 2019 Chevrolet Sonic problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Sonic, several common problems have been reported:
- Transmission Issues:
- The 2012-2015 models are prone to transmission problems, particularly with automatic transmissions. Symptoms include hesitant shifting, especially around 30,000 miles. In severe cases, a new transmission may be required.
- A recall for 2014 vehicles was issued due to a turbine shaft fracture, affecting the car's ability to operate properly. This issue typically arises after 70,000 miles and necessitates a new transmission.
- Stalling Problems:
- Some 2014 Sonics have been reported to stall while on the road, leading to a complete loss of power. This issue may be caused by various factors such as a broken alternator, battery corrosion, dead battery, or faulty spark plugs.
- Radiator Leaks:
- Radiator leaks in the Chevrolet Sonic can result from issues with the water pump, thermostat, hoses, or coolant system. Detecting a radiator leak is crucial as it can cause the engine to overheat, potentially leading to severe damage like a cracked head or bad head gasket.
- Key Fob Battery Weakness:
- Weak batteries in the key fob can prevent the push-to-start system from activating, causing inconvenience for the driver.
- CVT Transmission Concerns:
- Some owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), warning that it may fail between 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Recommendations favor the 6-speed manual or automatic transmission options over the CVT.
- General Maintenance:
- The 2019 Chevrolet Sonic requires regular maintenance, including brake pad replacements, oil changes, and suspension ball joint replacements, as indicated by the service and maintenance costs provided.
These common problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any signs of trouble to ensure the longevity and reliability of the 2019 Chevrolet Sonic.
What is the most common problem with the Chevy Sonic?
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.
How many miles will a 2019 Chevy Sonic last?
Typically, you will find that Chevy Sonics last around 150,000-200,000 miles. Maintenance and repairs are critical to provide your vehicle with the best shot at living a long life. Not every Sonic will make it that far - much of its life depends on what you do to keep it safe.
Are Chevy Sonics expensive to repair?
The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Chevrolet Sonic is $536, compared to an average of $456 for subcompact cars and $652 for all vehicle models.
Are Chevrolet Sonics reliable?
According to repairpal.com, the Chevrolet Sonic has an average reliability rating of four out of five. Compared to 21 subcompact cars, it is ranked 14th overall. It's about the middle of the pack in terms of overall reliability. According to withclutch.com, the Chevrolet Sonic has a reliability rating of about 45.3.
Is the 2019 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?
The 2019 Chevrolet Sonic ranks near the top of our used subcompact car class. It offers a spacious cabin, athletic handling, and an excellent reliability rating. However, a lack of basic standard features, an underpowered engine, and so-so fuel economy ratings hold the Sonic back.
What is the most common problem with the Chevy Sonic?
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.
Are Chevy Sonics expensive to repair?
The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Chevrolet Sonic is $536, compared to an average of $456 for subcompact cars and $652 for all vehicle models.
How many miles will a 2019 Chevy Sonic last?
Typically, you will find that Chevy Sonics last around 150,000-200,000 miles. Maintenance and repairs are critical to provide your vehicle with the best shot at living a long life. Not every Sonic will make it that far - much of its life depends on what you do to keep it safe.
2019 Chevrolet Sonic car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Sonic problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Unknown or other problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Engine problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2019 Chevrolet Sonic vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2019 Chevrolet Sonic complaints
The NHTSA has received 7 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2019 Chevrolet Sonic.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-25
- VIN: 1G1JD5SBXK4
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while pulling into the garage, the high engine temp warning light illuminated, and the engine was overheating. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle. The contact stated there was coolant underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact had learned that the water pump failure was common for the vehicle and believed that the water pump had failed. The contact was able to identify an extended warranty for the failure. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure when it was confirmed that the VIN was not covered under warranty or recall. The manufacturer had referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,400.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-24
- VIN: 1G1JD5SB6K4
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated the RPMs rose abnormally high. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone where it was scanned and diagnosed that the turbo charger had failed and needed to be replaced. The diagnostic scan retrieved DTC code: P0299. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,600.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-22
- VIN: 1G1JD5SB1K4
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: There is no temperature indicator and the car overheats. This caused the hose to the coolant to leak. I had the housing unit replaced but then the car still ran hot. I had the get the whole thermostat replaced. No forum could assist with the replacement of the 2019 as if this year model doesn’t exist and the part needed doesn’t fit properly making my car inoperable.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-01
- VIN: 1G1JB5SB3K4
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Cooling Issues with 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-01
- VIN: 1G1JB5SB3K4
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: cooling ISSUES - the WATER PUMPLE , cooling TANK . the WHOLE COOLING . my CARE HAS BEEN SHOP 5 TIMES AT JBA for cooling system
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-01
- VIN: 1G1JB5SB3K4
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: the CAR WAS BOUGHT IN May 24 of 2019. Since the car has been in the shop 4 times at JBA in Glen Burnie MD were I bought car From . Car been in Shop at JBA 01/29/2020 -Coolant Leaking , Was back in Shop 07/25/2022 - Water Pump Leaking , Car was Leaking Coolant, Back in shop October 2023 - For Over heating , Cooling System, Here we are January of 2024 car going back in shop at JBA or Cooling Issues
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-09
- VIN: 1G1JD5SB0K4
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: VEHICLE IS MAKING A LOUD 'HOWLING' NOISE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO FIX TO IT.
Negative 2019 Chevrolet Sonic car reviews
Positive 2019 Chevrolet Sonic car reviews
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The Chevy Sonic I purchased is a four-door Kinetic Blue Sedan and it looks really cool. I've already received compliments on it. It drives well and I love the Bluetooth features. Additionally, it's great on gas.
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I have a 2019 Chevrolet Sonic and I absolutely love it! It has all the space I need and rides very smoothly. It's actually my first new car and I couldn't be happier with it. I purchased it from Hare Chevrolet and had a wonderful experience with fantastic service from my salesperson, Corbin Richards. Kudos to him! From Brenda Price.
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You have a very reliable car with great features, even in the smallest details. It has been running flawlessly for 27,000 miles and you are very satisfied with it. You appreciate the electric windows, which were a nice surprise. As a loyal Honda customer, you are still impressed with the overall excellence of this car. If you are looking for a car that is both affordable and not too basic, this is an excellent choice. If you are buying a car for your daughter to take to college, and she is not looking for a sporty model, this would be the perfect car for her. It also has 10 airbags for added safety.
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Hello! Have you considered the 2017 Sonic Hatchback? It has more passenger and cargo room than the new Toyota Corolla Hatchback. Plus, the Sonic LT/RS comes with power drivers seat, heated seats, and pushbutton start, which are not available in the Corolla's XSE hatchback model. The Sonic also has a sunroof, which is not an option in the Toyota. The Sonic's turbo charged cast iron engine with a 6 speed automatic is a great feature, while the Corolla does not offer a turbo and has a cvt transmission. The Sonic's 7 inch screen is built in, unlike the Corolla's which looks slapped on. The Sonic's electric steering is better than the Toyota's, and the ride is surprisingly better than the Corolla's. Visibility is also better in the Chevy Sonic. Additionally, the Sonic costs less than the Toyota and is built in America. It also has a larger back window and can hold more upright luggage. Lastly, the Sonic is quieter inside than a Mercedes S class. The only issue I have is that the Sonic lacks a temp gauge. Why not give it a try?
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I purchased a used 2017 Sonic Premium Turbo Sedan with 46,000 miles on it and have since put 66,000 miles on it. It's a fun car to drive, with a peppy motor that provides great acceleration (thanks to the turbo). The seats are surprisingly comfortable for a small car, which was a nice change for me as I've previously owned Pontiacs. Despite downsizing from an Acadia, I didn't lose any convenience with the Sonic Premium. It comes with heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and plush seating. However, my husband and I have found it to be a bit cramped for two grown adults, making grocery shopping a bit of a challenge. While the trunk space is ample, it doesn't seem to fit a lot of stuff. The low profile tires are cheap and I had one factory tire bubble on me. I also had to replace the water pump after mysteriously losing heat and the engine overheating (there's no temp gauge, so I was worried about cracking an aluminum head). This seems to be a common issue with Sonics, as I discovered through my research. The ride can be a bit rough due to the smaller diameter tires and rims, but I've considered switching them out. Parking is great, but it can be difficult to see other larger vehicles on the road. There's also quite a bit of road noise in the back seat area. While I didn't expect luxury from a car that cost me $10k, I am currently looking for a vehicle that better suits our needs. However, I would definitely recommend the Sonic Premium Turbo Sedan for a single person who commutes! Before purchasing one, make sure to drive over a bumpy surface and keep the water pump issue in mind. It cost me about $300 (including labor) to replace. As a car enthusiast who has owned and driven many cars, I can say that my husband (who was a valet) and I were both impressed by this little car. And if you do decide to buy one, make sure it has the Turbo - I test drove one without it and was not impressed. Thank you for reading, I hope this helps you!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2019 Chevrolet Sonic problems:
Going to look at a 2019 Chevy Sonic LT, issues or anything to look ...
Aug 7, 2023 ... They're not bad. I have done water outlet myself twice in 100k but I've heard of people doing it more in the same number of miles. Water pump ...
2019 Chevrolet Sonic Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2019 Chevrolet Sonic? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...
Roll Up - The Sonic and Common Issues | Sonic Owners Forum
Feb 6, 2018 ... -Intake Piping: The 1.8l suffers from dry rot cracks in the intake piping as the rubber becomes brittle over time. This can cause the vehicle to ...
2019 Chevrolet Sonic Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
Get 2019 Chevrolet Sonic repair and maintenance costs, common problems, recalls, and more. Find certified Chevrolet mechanics near you.
Other years of Chevrolet Sonic
Are you having problems with your 2019 Chevrolet Sonic?
Edison Wintheiser 2025-07-01
I've owned my Sonic for about three years now and overall, it's been a decent car. The seats are comfortable and the dash has a modern look. The infotainment center is equipped with speakers that are lacking in depth, but they get the job done. The ride is smooth and the struts and shocks are well-built. The brakes are more than adequate, even when driving more aggressively. I appreciate the safety features, especially the full surround airbags that provide a sense of security for me and my passengers. However, there have been some issues. The rear brake drums locked up while driving in icy conditions and the driver side weather strip pulled away while on the freeway, causing minor body damage. The pump to my windshield wiper nozzles completely failed and the fuses controlling my radiator fan failed, causing my vehicle to overheat. As a smaller displacement engine, it runs hotter than larger counterparts, so the fan not engaging caused the engine to overheat, which could have led to engine failure. I've also had several coil packs replaced, as they stopped working in rapid succession. All of this has happened within 40,000 miles of owning the car. While I can't say for sure, it's possible that I purchased a lemon. Despite its issues, when it runs well, it drives like a dream. However, I would recommend considering other vehicle options.
Forrest Kautzer 2024-07-22
Having owned a 2018 Chevy Sonic hatchback, I can confidently say that there were some issues that I encountered. These included a weak cooling system, repeated engine overheating due to radiator fan failure, thermostat housing melting, coolant leaking, seat heating failure, repeated theft mode activation causing the car to not start without a clear cause, sudden battery failure, and the car not detecting the remote key without a known reason. However, despite these challenges, I believe that the Chevy Sonic is still a reliable car that can serve its purpose well.
Lamont Lubowitz 2024-07-02
We purchased this car in September 2018 and have driven it for about 100,400 kilometres since then. Unfortunately, we have experienced some issues with the engine light coming on, which we had checked out and were told it was due to an O2 sensor and the type of fuel we were using. We tried using premium fuel, which helped for a bit, but the light came back on again. We changed the oil in December, which also helped for a while, but the light came back on again. We took it in for repairs in February 2021 and had the O2 sensor and spark plugs replaced, which seemed to fix the issue temporarily. However, the light came back on again shortly after and we experienced some other problems with the car. We took it to another shop and had the oil changed and spark plugs replaced again, which seemed to help. We are now replacing the purge solenoid valve on our own to ensure the issue is fully resolved. While we have had some difficulties with this car, we are still hopeful that it will serve us well in the future. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work through these issues.
Andy Waters 2024-05-29
The Sonic Turbo Premier has been a fun temporary replacement for my ten year old BMW X3 while it's in the shop for age-related repairs and maintenance. Although it may not be as powerful as my Bimmer, it still has some positive qualities. The exterior styling is simple and inoffensive, and the cabin is roomy and equipped with modern gadgets and buttons. However, I did find the legroom to be cramped, especially for taller individuals like myself. Additionally, the visibility is not great due to the short stubby hood and large headrests. Overall, while the Sonic may not be my first choice for a long-term vehicle, it has served its purpose well as a temporary replacement.As you touch the visually decent plastic trim, you may realize that it is not the softer, richer material it masquerades as, but basic hard plastic straight from a Yugo. However, let's talk about the performance of this car. I mostly drove it in town with speed limits around 45 miles per hour. At first, I thought I was going way too fast until I checked the speedometer and realized that I was actually chugging along about five miles below the speed limit! The car feels a bit strained and bothered when driven at speeds greater than 35 - 40 mph. Still, this is not yet the most fun you can have with the Sonic Turbo. Go find an empty stretch of road without speed bumps (like the access road to my work's parking lot) and floor it. I did just that, going about 30 mph I floored the accelerator and ... absolutely NOTHING happened for at least a second, then the little beast huffed and puffed and lurched forward at the breakneck speed of 40 mph, I almost died laughing. Unfortunately, this lack of performance is less laughable when you have to pull out into heavy, fast-moving traffic. Just be cautious and wait for any acceleration to kick in.
Stefan Sporer 2024-05-27
I purchased my car in January 2019 from a Chevy dealership in Las Vegas as a certified pre-owned car with 41k miles on it. The car ran smoothly until April 2021 when my engine overheated suddenly with no warning. Unfortunately, my dash did not have an engine temperature gauge like other cars, so I was unaware of the engine's temperature while driving. I took it to the shop and the thermostat module needed to be replaced since it was leaking coolant. Two days later, my engine overheated again due to a leaking water pump. These two repairs cost me around $1,000. In February 2022, my coolant reservoir cracked and had to be replaced for around $300. Then in April 2022, my coolant flange, water pump flange, and radiator fan all needed to be replaced, costing me another $1,000. If you are considering purchasing this car, I recommend getting a good warranty. Unfortunately, my warranty did not cover any of the repairs because I did not call them beforehand and take it to a shop in network. Over the past few years, I have spent around $2,500 on repairs, which includes a messed up window seal when I first got the car because it melted from being parked out in the heat. If you live in a hot and dry climate like the Mojave desert, I would not recommend this car. However, if you do decide to get it, always have coolant in your trunk just in case.Other than the features and the value of what you get, the cars overheating issues are not worth it. It's worth noting that GM only acknowledges this being an issue for the 2012-2016 model year Sonics and not the 2017-2019 models, even though it definitely is an issue.