2013 RS Sonic - 17k miles with a cracked head?

[Toddrolls]

Sadness

Is anyone having any issues on their 1.4T Sonic with cracked head ? Any word or information on a manufacturer defect on the heads? The service rep. at the dealership suggested that there might be a defect on the heads! Cause I have one after only 17K miles. STORY BELOW

Im posting this to share my experience with what is turning into quite a nightmare.

STORY: 2013 Sonic RS Turbo - I brought it brand new of the dealership lot in Seattle with an extended warrenty. The car has just under 18k miles with no modifications of any kind. I am also a adult who drives this car reasonably. A little fun, but mostly on cruise control. I bought it with optional moonroof, remote start, etc. Love the car but ....

Dealership Repair Story:

4th time in the shop in the last few months with a check engine light permanently on. Each time into the shop I have described the issues to the Rep.

History from beginning

- I always felt that the turbo engaged only part of the time. Many times I just felt a lack of power. Almost from the beginning I felt that it sounded a bit rough starting. After running a brief period everything would go away and the car ran fine. I ALSO have never gotten great mileage. 28-31 average. In the car info you are supposed to get up to 40 on freeway. NEVER been close.

over last 3k miles - Trips to Dealership

1st time - Rough Starting, Check engine light flashes but goes off in mornings, a seemingly lack of power and response in turbo. DEALER response - Its your imagination go home.

2nd time - Check engine light on permanently - Rough starting, sweet smell upon starting the car. DEALER response - new plugs and wire (zero Change)

3rd time - Check engine light on permanently - Rough starting, sweet smell upon starting the car. THE environmental Heat stops working (brrr) DEALER response - New coils.. they notice anti-freeze is low.

4th time - Check engine light on permanently - Rough starting, sweet smell upon starting the car. DEALER response - OH, cracked head in engine.

SO ---- hope this post helps someone diagnose their issues for the dealership. I guess I am stuck with a Lemon. Bummer. PHOTO is of my new car.

 

[Breezybro]

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles, hopefully my '13 RS doesn't end up with these problems.

Also, it's an RS, they are like 28-34 so you're about average.

 

[Toddrolls]

Thanks Breezbro... Glad to hear the mileage is correct anyway. I hope no one else has these issues with their car.

I have heard back from the Chevy Customer Service Rep Patsy G on private email (I had sent a private email to them prior to listing this thread) They mentioned that a water pump issue with coolant leaking is common on the 2013 turbo engine. I did have a low coolant level on one of the dealership visits.

---- 2013 Black Granite Metallic RS turbo with Sunroof -----

 

[Stew]

DEALER response - new plugs and wire (zero Change)

You bought yours from the same dealer I bought mine. Hopefully they didn't actually tell you that they replaced plug wires, since there aren't any.

The 'It's your imagination' response is really frustrating but at least they did figure it out eventually. I don't think things like a new head effect the value like accident damage does, unless your talking a matching numbers car from the 60's where that actually matters.

 

[Toddrolls]

Hey Stew... thanks for the reply.

Ya its been a bit of a challenge communicating with the rep that I have. And honestly I think that is part of the issue. The guy did not listen to me at all during the process. Communication is the key to anything. Plus, zero follow up over the 4X that I have the vehicle in.

Just hoping that the fix will fix the issue.

 

[13TurboLTZ]

I've yet to see a cracked head, not impossible, just unlikely. Go to a different dealer.

 

[mitdr774]

You dont have a lemon, you have a ****ty dealer. You need to find a new dealer to deal with.

Mileage will be affected by a lot of things. If you ever look into how they figure out EPA ratings, its not easy to hit with the way that most people drive. Per the information on the EPA site the RS is rated 27/34 compared to the 1.4t and 1.8 at 29/40 and 26/35. All three sets of numbers were based on a 5 door with a manual trans.

 

[Toddrolls]

Yes the dealership is probably an issue on this vehicle due to lack of interest to fix the car. Still they spent a fair amount of time testing the systems without going the one step further. I imagine most dealerships will do the small fixes first before moving on to a bigger issue. Still GEEZ. Cracked head.

So no one else is having any cracked head issues? No word or information on a manufacturer defect on the heads? The service rep. at the dealership suggested that there might be a defect on the heads!

 

[Papasonic]

Cracked head, possibly; head gasket, more likely.
The obvious symptom that was initially reported; the sweet odor/smell should have been a hint to the techs where to begin. The no heat condition would have been another excellent clue as to where to search for the problem.
Hopefully engine coolant didn't get into the crankcase and cause contamination of the engine oil, or coolant being drawn into the combustion chamber, and damaging the piston/rings, and cylinder. There are two simple tests that would have diagnosed this type of problem quite quickly. One is the cooling system pressure test; the other is a cylinder leak down test.
If the coolant loss was minimal, replacing the head or head gasket will probably resolve the problem with no detrimental effects to longevity.
Now if the techs are capable of doing this procedure, you should have no real worries.

 

[mitdr774]

The dealer just wants to do something quick and easy to get you out the door. You need to find a dealer that has techs that actually care about fixing the car and not just maximizing pay hours in the day. My guess is that the coolant was low from the first visit. Continuing to drive with low coolant can allow air pockets to form. These air pockets allow hot spots that can crack a head.

 

[Toddrolls]

There are two simple tests that would have diagnosed this type of problem quite quickly. One is the cooling system pressure test; the other is a cylinder leak down test.

They did do a cooling system pressure test on the 3rd visit, and it showed no leaks. However from the other information on this site... that is not unusual even with disappearing coolant.

Sadly this dealership doesn't even put air in the tires after service. Its a bit shocking

SOUNDS like I have just got extremely bad service from the dealership I purchased the car from. And the result is this fallacy.

Thank you for your responses everyone. I am learning a lot.

 

[Toddrolls]

Update

Well the rep called me today (after having the car for 5 days already) that I have a cracked cylinder head. His story is that the head was defective. opcorn:

Since I have heard that little about other Sonic owners having the same issue, I hope it is a random thing and just a bit of bad luck.

I also have learned about the 2013 water pump issues (which I don't have), so watch your antifreeze levels.

The dealer said I may get it by Friday, or Monday. Friday will be 8 days after my scheduled drop off time. Monday is 11 days. :roll eyes:

I did get a rental car paid by the dealership... So, I can't complain about not having transportation.

 

[ChrisJ]

The 1.4 is used in more than just the Sonic. It's far more popular in the Cruze and is used in the Buick Encore as well not to mention many cars oversears.

Chances of you having a water pump fail are pretty good but luckily a cheap fix if you maintain your car properly and keep an eye on your fluids as you're supposed to in the first place. This isn't a 2013 thing, it's a 2010? to current thing. They're all the same pump.

Chances of a head failing again are pretty damn slim.

 

[Toddrolls]

After all this time... It is simply an issue with the dealership skipping steps. As my first post described the process and response to the 4X I have brought the RS it in for the SAME issue. I am sure this extent of problem could have all been avoided, if the dealership looked over the fluids each time I brought it in. I highly doubt that they did... since they never ever even put air in the tires when I picked it up. Also, if I had been a little more vigilant researching information sooner then perhaps it could have been avoided too. I would have seen potentials.

Still I expect the dealership to do their job, especially from the dealership I purchased the vehicle from

I honestly have always bought new vehicles form Japanese automakers, from Toyota and Scion mainly. And have never had issues with their vehicles or service. But Toyota doesn't make a cool little hatchback like the Sonic. I wish they did at this point.

:blankface:

 

[ChrisJ]

After all this time... It is simply an issue with the dealership skipping steps. As my first post described the process and response to the 4X I have brought the RS it in for the SAME issue. I am sure this extent of problem could have all been avoided, if the dealership looked over the fluids each time I brought it in. I highly doubt that they did... since they never ever even put air in the tires when I picked it up. Also, if I had been a little more vigilant researching information sooner then perhaps it could have been avoided too. I would have seen potentials.

Still I expect the dealership to do their job, especially from the dealership I purchased the vehicle from

I honestly have always bought new vehicles form Japanese automakers, from Toyota mainly. And have never had issues with their vehicles or service. But Toyota doesn't make a cool little hatchback like the Sonic. I wish they did at this point.

:blankface:

True,
Toyota just appears to have issues with stopping when you want them to. That's the rumors I keep hearing anyway.

 

[Toddrolls]

Update

2 weeks later... Still no car.

DO I own a Sonic? Cant really remember. This car has been at the dealership for about a full month of the last 4 months.

Bill Pierre Chevrolet in Seattle. Avoid. Simply the worst service in every respect I have encountered in my life.

I will let everyone know how it runs when I get it back.

opcorn:

 

[Stew]

I know it's more of a drive for you but Roy Robinson up here in Marysville has done nothing but impress me the couple of times I've brought my car in. I normally don't bring my cars to dealers for repair work, but I did for warranty work because of a leaking oil pan and the MyLink update on two separate occasions and I found them to be courteous and professional both times.

Both times I was offered loaners even though I didn't buy the car there and one time they washed it for me.

 

[Toddrolls]

I know it's more of a drive for you but Roy Robinson up here in Marysville has done nothing but impress me the couple of times I've brought my car in. I normally don't bring my cars to dealers for repair work, but I did for warranty work because of a leaking oil pan and the MyLink update on two separate occasions and I found them to be courteous and professional both times.

Both times I was offered loaners even though I didn't buy the car there and one time they washed it for me.

Great to hear that. I will get all the receipts together for a visit up to Marysville for the next time (may it be way in the future)... If I remember what my car looks like. I am actually near Lynnwood, so that would work too. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Dogz]

As has already been said, the lemon isn't the car, it's the dealer.
Too many times dealers don't put the effort into warranty repairs as they aren't getting paid the full whack for it, they try to find a quick fix or just try to get rid of you. I bought my car new last Feb & it now has 30,000 km's without a single issue & it doesn't get driven nicely. Hopefully when they replace your head they do it right & you don't have any more issues, it is a great little car.

 

[Toddrolls]

Last update (I hope)

Picked up the car after 18 days. I am sure they worked hard to get this correct after all the time the car spent in the shop (Over 1 month total time). I have to thank the customer service on this sight, as they made some calls to the dealership. I am unsure of the effect of these calls on the service, but it is appreciated by me. Customer service also told me about the water pump issue for the 2013 turbo. With that information in hand, I brought it up to the representative at the dealership and they ended up replacing it too, with the cracked head.

SO - HOW does it run?

The car seems to run better than when I bought it off the lot. Its only been a couple days, but the turbo is working like it never has before! SO Far SO good. I am starting to like my little RS again.

Thanks for the comments and support.

The one thing I will mention is... the dealership said that another Sonic came in with the same issue a couple days ago. So, perhaps there may be some truth to a few defective cylinder heads, which is what the dealership suggested when I found out the issue. In the end it can't be many.