Jerking 2014 1.4 Auto

[Mhoock14]

I noticed a jerking/hesitating feeling on my sonic for the first time tonight. No problems going almost 60mph, then after coming to almost a complete stop and accelerating back up to just over 60 I started feeling this. Once I set my cruise I didn't feel it happen again, but I'm thinking that was just a coincidence. No weird noises or anything, nothing else feels different, and nothing showing up on the dashboard. It never happened again after setting my cruise and the rest of the commute home. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any issues like this or similar.

While I'm making this, I also have another weird noise but I haven't worried about it because it rarely happens. However, very rarely when going up a slope or accelerating from a stop, I will hear a pinging noise. It's usually only 3 to 4 pings, and it rarely happens. Maybe once or twice a month, but nothing else is out of the ordinary so I haven't been worrying about it.

The car only has 45,000 miles.

 

[gnonne]

Check Check Valve

Random thought, but a few others have had problems with the check valve to the power brake booster going bad on the 1.4L turbo cars. This would probably start to fail intermittently and might cause some hiccups in the engine. Just a guess, but based on mileage, could be correct.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

I noticed a jerking/hesitating feeling on my sonic for the first time tonight. No problems going almost 60mph, then after coming to almost a complete stop and accelerating back up to just over 60 I started feeling this. Once I set my cruise I didn't feel it happen again, but I'm thinking that was just a coincidence. No weird noises or anything, nothing else feels different, and nothing showing up on the dashboard. It never happened again after setting my cruise and the rest of the commute home. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any issues like this or similar.

While I'm making this, I also have another weird noise but I haven't worried about it because it rarely happens. However, very rarely when going up a slope or accelerating from a stop, I will hear a pinging noise. It's usually only 3 to 4 pings, and it rarely happens. Maybe once or twice a month, but nothing else is out of the ordinary so I haven't been worrying about it.

The car only has 45,000 miles.

Hello Mhoock14,

I'm sorry to hear about the concerns you're experiencing with your Sonic and do understand why this would be worrisome. Are you planning on making your servicing dealership aware? I would be glad to connect with them on your behalf and review this further. If this is of interest, our team is available via private message and would need your VIN, contact information, and dealer name to move forward.

Jasmine
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Llia]

I wonder if my brake booster check valve is also failing intermittently. When coming to a stop it feels like the car rocks back and forth like the brakes are going in and out in timed pulses till I finally come to a complete stop.

 

[MaD]

I've had weird bucking happen randomly on mine too, sometimes when stopping going down hill or just sitting at a light... it's like hitting the gas a few times, but then it stops and nothing again for a long time.. I took to my dealer a few times but they can't recreate it.. no codes either. My 14 LT is just now at 44k miles. Even scanning with my ODBCII nothing shows...

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[Blue Moon Sonic]

Work Around solution for now

I have a partial solution that is more of a workaround until the issue is found and resolved. Been experiencing this issue myself and have been trying to figure out myself what is going on.

I've actually noticed that if you have the car in manual mode and you brake really hard to a complete stop and the trans shifts itself down to first gear, it will hiccup, buck and sound like it misfired slightly. Basically feels like it wants to stall out. Now if you were to brake lightly to a complete stop and have the car in manual mode, then the car will not cause the symptoms listed by the OP and others in this thread. Now if you leave the car in D instead of manual mode, the issue is more random but still happens under heavy braking to a complete stop, but it is also not as noticeable if it does happen.

Now say you need to do a hard stop but you know the car bucks. Throw the car in neutral right at the very last 75-100ft of stopping. You'll notice the car doesn't show any of the symptoms.

Hope this helps until there is an actual solution and fix.

 

[MaD]

I'll give that a try, but I dont remember having a hard stop and then bucking, but I have some steep hills I can try this on. I'll check back with results when the rain stops [emoji53]

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[Blue Moon Sonic]

I'll give that a try, but I dont remember having a hard stop and then bucking, but I have some steep hills I can try this on. I'll check back with results when the rain stops [emoji53]

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Works for me. I'm still trying to get a further analysis of this issue myself, but before I can do more testing myself, I need to get an intake manifold from the bone yard.

 

[MaD]

Heh, ya I think that's a lil more important [emoji12]

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[Blue Moon Sonic]

Not like I'll be able to fix it any time soon, plus if I do replace it, I'll just end up doing the PCV reroute mod someone has here on the forum.

Now to stay on topic... Actually found out that the car has a rev hang when braking as though the trans isn't disengaging the torque converter. It's actually noticeable when you stick the car in neutral, just before you come to a stop under heavy braking. I'm going to try and get a video on the go-pro and set up a youtube account this week. Should be able to consistently reproduce the symptoms.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

I wonder if my brake booster check valve is also failing intermittently. When coming to a stop it feels like the car rocks back and forth like the brakes are going in and out in timed pulses till I finally come to a complete stop.

Hey Llia,

I regret to hear this. Have you had a chance to have this concern diagnosed by your local certified Chevrolet dealership? If not, I'd be glad to help connect with you one to have your concerns addressed. If this is of interest to you, please send us a private message with your full contact information, VIN, current mileage, and the name of your preferred certified Chevrolet dealership. Feel free to include any questions that you may have.

Best,
Cecil J.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

I've had weird bucking happen randomly on mine too, sometimes when stopping going down hill or just sitting at a light... it's like hitting the gas a few times, but then it stops and nothing again for a long time.. I took to my dealer a few times but they can't recreate it.. no codes either. My 14 LT is just now at 44k miles. Even scanning with my ODBCII nothing shows...

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

Hello MaD,

I regret to hear that you are experiencing these concerns with your Spark, and would love the chance to look into your situation further. At your earliest convenience, please send us a private message with your full contact information, VIN, current mileage, and the name of the dealership you have been working with. Looking forward to your message!

Best,
Cecil J.
Chevrolet Customer Care