High Mileage Sonics - the longevity thread

[2014 Blue RS]

I got a lean code after uploading the latest tune. I turned it off. Car is running great and getting 39.7 mpg with mixed driving.

 

[bandages4]

140,000 miles
2012, 1.4L. 6sp manual, hatchback, stock.

 

[TMac]

I'm now at 139,000 miles outher then the odd and end stuff, it's been a real truper.
Trevor

 

[jrb3]

127k, 2012 1.4L 6spd hatch, stock

So far, under warranty, sway bar links, valve cover (for bad PCV) and water pump.

Not in warranty leaking rim at casting mark (bought used rim), tires, oil. Still on original brakes and clutch.

 

[SourKandi]

Did you ever figure out the shifter button problem? I'm getting the same


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It's defective plastic. Chevy won't recall and they'll try to make you buy the whole shifter for upwards $300

 

[MyLonewolf25]

It's defective plastic. Chevy won't recall and they'll try to make you buy the whole shifter for upwards $300

There's a replacement for like 14 bucks


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[Chevyman]

2013 1.8 hatch MT, Doubt I will make the list as I will only hit 50k this week. Although as of December 2016 I am driving 160+ miles a day.


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[pbkn1p]

2013 1.8 hatch MT, Doubt I will make the list as I will only hit 50k this week. Although as of December 2016 I am driving 160+ miles a day.


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I got my sonic in July. And I'm commuting 105 miles daily to work and back.

So far no issues at all. I love my car


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[BriansSonicRS]

2013 Sonic RS - 137,xxx miles
couple of warranty recalls - emissions sticker, pcv related
major issues - none
minor issues - oil pan gasket (poor attempt by a Chevy dealer to fix it), PCV issue fixed by Chevy dealer (really cold weather, closer to 0 deg, the car would sometimes puke fumes like crazy, white fog when it happened)

currently car has a noise in the dash area, researching that as it's a little intermittent but has a consistent/repetitious noise when its there; maybe a regulator of some sort?

 

[JayL]

2012 6 speed manual turbo- 155,000 miles. The car is falling apart. Turbo went at 50,000. Valve cover replaced, 3 sets of sway bar links. links are gone again as well as the shocks. Coolant issues, airbag light is on now as well, multiple thermostats replaced. This car was the worse thing I have ever purchased. I should have learned my lesson seeing I have owned 3 chevys now. Never again!

 

[pbkn1p]

2012 6 speed manual turbo- 155,000 miles. The car is falling apart. Turbo went at 50,000. Valve cover replaced, 3 sets of sway bar links. links are gone again as well as the shocks. Coolant issues, airbag light is on now as well, multiple thermostats replaced. This car was the worse thing I have ever purchased. I should have learned my lesson seeing I have owned 3 chevys now. Never again!

Are these issues known only to the first year sonic? Or for all turbos ?


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[mja]

2012 6 speed manual turbo- 155,000 miles. The car is falling apart. Turbo went at 50,000. Valve cover replaced, 3 sets of sway bar links. links are gone again as well as the shocks. Coolant issues, airbag light is on now as well, multiple thermostats replaced. This car was the worse thing I have ever purchased. I should have learned my lesson seeing I have owned 3 chevys now. Never again!

That's unfortunate, ZZP has solid sway links to replace the plastic ones for 40$ total. Shocks should be replaced every 75-80k miles according to most manufacturers.

My stock turbo blew too, prematurely around 45-50k miles from the PCV system in the intake manifold. There's a good half dozen or more that I've read about that blew from this same issue. A lot of intake mani's go bad around 50k miles.

The newer style cam/valve cover diaphragms are more robust than the first '12 design.

Many people's cooling issues have been tracked down to the water pump.

The airbag thing is a mystery, you can take it to the dealer and have them check for their recall. Shouldn't have to pay anything:
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...alls-tsbs/14637-2012-sonic-airbag-recall.html

 

[mja]

2013 Sonic RS - 137,xxx miles
couple of warranty recalls - emissions sticker, pcv related
major issues - none
minor issues - oil pan gasket (poor attempt by a Chevy dealer to fix it), PCV issue fixed by Chevy dealer (really cold weather, closer to 0 deg, the car would sometimes puke fumes like crazy, white fog when it happened)

currently car has a noise in the dash area, researching that as it's a little intermittent but has a consistent/repetitious noise when its there; maybe a regulator of some sort?

First 2013 on the list :banana:

 

[5.0]

My sonic isn't high mileage, but I'll list the problems I've had.

2012 1.4 LTZ manual. 50,000km (30,000mile)

- 1 water pump
- 3 sets of end links
- oil pan gasket leak (resolved)
- crank shaft seal (resolved)
- heated seats randomly shutting off(resolved by dealer)
- radio shutting off(resolved by dealer)
- rattle from rear end below 0*C (unresolved)
- still have a coolant leak somewhere

 

[JBScat]

I have the rear end rattle too when it's cold. I put a set of kyb shocks back there but it didn't change. I do think I know where the noise is coming from though, I believe the plastic dust boot on the shock mount rattles against the shock body. I am going to put some foam rubber in this weekend to see if it helps.


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[Maliki2]

Just hit 107500 on my 2012 Sonic LTZ 1.8!


A bunch of normal wear and tear.

Unfortunately my drivers side heated seat is dead. Living in Vermont this burns me a bit since I really didn't use it much at all.
But when my ass is frozen in these cold winters I remember why I liked it when it was working! I'm not paying the expensive amount
to have it done. No thanks.

 

[Loving this sonic]

2013 sadan lt 1.4 6mt. 149k tuned intake catless dp mid pipe at 12k miles clutch leaking issues due to the master cylinder being broke off, otherwise good to go with a slipping clutch. I've been lucky with this one

 

[TJ99]

2012 LT 1.4T 6mt Stock 142K

The PCV Valve was replaced around 80K due to a CEL, it's integral to the valve cover so it was replaced as an assembly. The transmission was replaced at 98K for the whining issue detailed in another thread. Both were under warranty.

Otherwise, just accident damage from a deer landing on the windshield on the interstate. It almost made it through the windshield.

Everything else is routine maintenance, I'm getting ready to put on the third set of tires. The first set of Hankooks made it to 73K this set is at 69K and is almost due. OEM battery and brakes although the brakes are about due.

 

[JesusTheAgnostic]

My sonic isn't high mileage, but I'll list the problems I've had.

2012 1.4 LTZ manual. 50,000km (30,000mile)

- 1 water pump
- 3 sets of end links
- oil pan gasket leak (resolved)
- crank shaft seal (resolved)
- heated seats randomly shutting off(resolved by dealer)
- radio shutting off(resolved by dealer)
- rattle from rear end below 0*C (unresolved)
- still have a coolant leak somewhere

Hi! how did you resolve your oil pan gasket leak? I think I might have that on my 2012 with 60k+ miles. I noticed it the last time I got under the car about three weeks ago. Not sure if it was oil, but it seemed to be coming from the oil pan gasket so I'm assuming it is.

 

[5.0]

Hi! how did you resolve your oil pan gasket leak? I think I might have that on my 2012 with 60k+ miles. I noticed it the last time I got under the car about three weeks ago. Not sure if it was oil, but it seemed to be coming from the oil pan gasket so I'm assuming it is.

I found oil on the bottom of the pan during a routine oil change. I made an appointment at the dealer and they determined it was leaking. Not sure how they fixed it, if it was with a pre formed gasket or just RTV silicone.