2020 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 2020 Chevrolet Sonic problems
The Chevrolet Sonic, produced until 2020, is known for its potential to last up to 200,000 miles. However, certain model years have common problems that could lead to costly repairs and inconveniences. Here are some of the most common issues:
- Transmission problems: Transmission issues are prevalent in the 2012-2015 models, with automatic transmissions being more affected.
- Turbine shaft fracture: This problem affects 2014 vehicles, where the turbine shaft, which transfers energy from the engine to the wheels, can fracture. This issue usually appears after 70,000 miles and requires a new transmission. If the shaft breaks while in third to sixth gear, the car may suddenly stop, posing a risk in heavy traffic or at high speed.
- Sticky shifter button: This issue is more common in the 2012 model and can result in the shifter button becoming difficult or impossible to press. This problem can make it challenging to enter or exit reverse, and in severe cases, it can cause the stickshift to catch mid-gear, potentially flinging it into reverse while driving at high speed.
- Radiator leaks: Radiator leaks can result from a bad water pump, thermostat, hoses, or coolant. If the radiator is leaking, the engine may run hot or overheat, which can lead to severe long-term damage, including a cracked head or bad head gasket.
- Check Engine Light: The Check Engine Light can come on due to various reasons, such as alternator, battery, fuel filter, spark plug, or key fob issues. A weak battery in the key fob may not activate the push to start system, preventing the car from starting.
- Engine problems: The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic has the most overall complaints, with engine problems being the worst category. The most-reported problem is hesitation when shifting in the 2012 model, with an average cost to fix of $3,600 and an average mileage of 73,000 miles.
These common problems can ultimately cost thousands of dollars in maintenance and replacement costs. When considering purchasing a Chevrolet Sonic, it is essential to be aware of these issues, particularly for the model years mentioned above. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent or address these problems early on, potentially saving money and avoiding inconvenient situations.
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.
Is a 2020 Chevy Sonic a reliable car?
How Reliable Is the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic? The 2020 Chevy Sonic has a predicted reliability score of 93 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
Are there any recalls on 2020 Chevy Sonic?
There are currently no recorded recalls for this car.
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.
Is a 2020 Chevy Sonic a reliable car?
How Reliable Is the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic? The 2020 Chevy Sonic has a predicted reliability score of 93 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
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.
Is a Chevy Sonic a good reliable car?
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.
Are there any recalls on 2020 Chevy Sonic?
There are currently no recorded recalls for this car.
2020 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:
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2020 Chevrolet Sonic vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2020 Chevrolet Sonic complaints
The NHTSA has received 7 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-26
- VIN: 1G1JB5SB3L4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Having trouble with leaks and the evap purge system. I repaired it three times. The vehicle will turn off while driving.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-06
- VIN: 1G1JB5SBXL4
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: 1st occurence at approximately 37k miles on Vehicle has issue based on climate temperature sensor triggers a computer code 84 vehicle goes into limp mode to prevent engine failure however, this happens instantly no time to react and more than one occasion creating a hazardous driving situation in heavy traffic, vehicle also overheats creating hazardous leaks of anti freeze at boiling temperatures ability to burn anyone who comes in contact. This remains an ongoing issue with vehicle, vehicle now back in possesion of bank Santander Consumer USA, this is being reported to protect any innocent parties involved to avoid injuries or even fatality
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-24
- VIN: 1G1JD5SB4L4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: There was an instance a couple months ago where I was driving and my ignition stopped. To my luck, I was in a safe area to stop but it is dangerous for this to be happening with my car while I am driving.
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-06
- VIN: 1G1JB5SB2L4
- Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: UNKNOWN -- During driving the vehicle the radio and power steering will stop working, locks and key for occasionally have issues, and the car shuts down and has to be re-started. Sometimes will take a minute or two to be able to be re-started. If car stalls at high speeds could cause a catastrophic accident, injuring possibly killing driver or other drivers due to not being able to control the car. Car has recently been serviced replacing the radiator, coolant tank, and purge valve (this was throwing the check engine light). No codes can be found and the problem cannot be duplicated. Happens at random times, nothing triggers it.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-24
- VIN: 1G1JB5FB2L4
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving approximately 40 mph, the front driver’s and passenger’s side air bags erroneously deployed causing the driver to lose control of the steering wheel and the vehicle drove off the roadway. The vehicle was not involved in a crash before the air bags deployed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-09-24
- VIN: 1G1JD5SB3L4
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: MANUFACTURERS OWNERS MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS MAY LEAD TO TRANSMISSION / ELECTRICAL FAILURES WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN TRAVELING. THE RECREATIONAL TOWING INSTRUCTIONS REQUIRE THAT FUSES BE REMOVED (STEP 5) BEFORE NEXT STEPS INCLUDING SHIFTING VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURNING IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION . THOSE STEPS ( 6-9) CAN NOT BE EXECUTED IF STEP 5 IS EXECUTED FIRST. OWNERS WHO ATTEMPT TO PREPARE THE VEHICLE FOR RECREATIONAL TOWING BY USING A DIFFERENT SEQUENCE RUN THE RISK OF DAMAGING THEIR VEHICLES AND/OR CAUSING SEVERE ACCIDENTS IF THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP UNDER TOW (MOVING). DEALER CLAIMS IS VIN SPECIFIC. IT IS NOT VIN SPECIFIC. I TESTED SEVERAL IDENTICAL VEHICLES ON THE DEALER LOT AND THEY ALL FAIL, USING THE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTIONS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-02-11
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 2020 CHEVROLET SONIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE KEYLESS IGNITION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IT WAS POSSIBLE TO TURN OFF THE KEYLESS ENTRY WITHOUT FIRST PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK BEFORE STARTING THE IGNITION. *JS
Negative 2020 Chevrolet Sonic car reviews
Positive 2020 Chevrolet Sonic car reviews
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The gas mileage was a bit lower than expected, but the vehicle has a nice sized trunk and is a great option for a college student or a couple. However, if there are large adults in the front, there may not be much room in the back.
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I really like this little car! It comes with some great technologies.
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I have a 2019 Sonic Hatch RS and it has been an absolute blast to drive! The car has plenty of space and even on a 5 hour road trip, I found it to be very comfortable. Although there is a slight lag when starting from a stop, I was able to fix it with a better wastegate actuator. I also added a cold air intake which has made the driving experience even more enjoyable. The turbo noises always bring a smile to my face! Additionally, the sound system is fantastic and the car has many convenient features such as Android Auto, remote start, a WiFi hotspot, and Sirius XM. Overall, I am very happy with my purchase and would highly recommend this car to anyone looking for a fun and practical vehicle.
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It's wonderful to hear that you're enjoying your car and that it's meeting all your needs without any issues. Thank you for sharing!
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Another success at Chevy! The Sonic and Spark keep going and going...
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2020 Chevrolet Sonic problems:
Sonic owners, should I purchase one of the last 2020 sonics for my ...
Sep 25, 2020 ... /r/ChevySonic is a place for new, old, and potential Chevy Sonic/Chevy Aveo/Holden Barina owners to ... The mention of cooling issues concerns me ...
Delving Into the Most Common Chevy Sonic Problems - Bad Vehicle
Engine Stalling or Not Starting · Alternator broken · Battery corrosion · Dead battery · Fuel filter broken · Fuel filter clogged · Key fob battery weak · Spark plug ...
2020 Chevrolet Sonic Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...
Chevrolet Sonic 2012-2020: pros and cons, common problems
Apr 1, 2023 ... A leaking plastic water outlet has also been reported. The part is not very expensive and takes about an hour to replace. Suspension problems ...
Chevrolet Sonic forum -- Chevrolet Aveo forum and owners club ...
2020 Sonic Premier. Last Post By Tarlacfarm1 09-20-2021 09:15 PM. 0. Reliability/common problems 2009 Aveo? (US market). Last Post By ajbessinger 01-15-2020 05: ...
Other years of Chevrolet Sonic
Are you having problems with your 2020 Chevrolet Sonic?
Thad Barton 2024-11-23
The 2019 Sonic Sedan was purchased by my late mother for $16,000 and has less than 5,000 miles on it. However, when my sister attempted to sell it back to the same salesman who sold it to our mother, she was only offered $8,000 due to the perceived lack of resale value. It is important to note that this car is best suited for those who plan on driving it for an extended period of time, or for those who do not reside in Flint, Michigan.
Sherman Lind 2024-11-04
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 surprisingly roomy and well-equipped with gadgets and buttons. However, I did find the legroom to be a bit cramped, especially for taller drivers like myself. Additionally, the visibility could be improved, as the short hood and large headrests make it difficult to get a good sense of the car's dimensions. Overall, while the Sonic may not be my first choice for a long-term vehicle, it has served its purpose well and I appreciate its positive attributes.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.
Alexandro Crona 2024-09-03
I have been the proud owner of a 2018 Sonic Hatch since 2019, and it has taken me to the industrial area several times. I have become a loyal customer to wiremen, body and paint specialists! Although the first year went well, I have experienced some electrical faults that have been a bit frustrating. This car has good economy and power, but I have noticed that it lacks interior and exterior quality. The paint starts chipping and deteriorating, and the bumpers and skirts start to fall off the body because of weak clips. The mud covers (over the tires) also start to fall off, and the wipers break easily and almost fly off at 170 kmh. I have also experienced some issues with the seat shutting, anti-theft mode faulty activation for several times engine, remote not detected causing alarm to start as soon as you open the door, car can't recognize keyless remote, car's alarm start when you unlock the car using the key provided by the company! Additionally, I have experienced overheating causing the A/C to go off and/or stop, coolant leaking, and thermostat housing melting. Overall, I still enjoy driving my Sonic Hatch, but I hope that the company can improve the quality of the car's interior and exterior components.
Ross Kirlin 2024-08-25
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.
Triston Pollich 2024-06-04
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.