brand new 2013 Sonic, already problems?

[Legacy]

My daughter just purchased a 2013 Sonic sedan 1.4 turbo automatic last Sunday. The car only had 7 miles on it. Yesterday she called and said the car started to make a squeaking noise from the front end at speeds over 30. Sometimes it is louder than others. I thought fanbelt even though the weather hasn't changed but tonight she called and said now it is starting to idle rough. It isn't giving any engine codes or lights. She lives 75 miles from the dealer. Since the car has no codes or lights, is it ok for her to drive that far?

I'm pretty upset about this. She traded her older car because it dumped her on the side of the road 3 times in 2 months while she was going home from work. I helped her purchase this new car so we could both have peace of mind. I have a 2012 Sonic 1.8 5 speed that I bought brand new and it's never even hiccuped. She wanted a reliable car like mine.

Are the turbos having issues? Is anyone else having problems like this with a brand new Sonic even if it's not a turbo?

Thank you,
Legacy

 

[barch88]

Take it to the dealer, they probably will say "can not recreate issue" and send her home. Any GM dealer would work, you don't have to take it to the one you bought it from, I'd imagine there has to be one closer than a 75 mile radius.

 

[Legacy]

Yes, that is what I'm concerned about. "We're sorry but we could not replicate the problem therefore there isn't anything wrong." Been there, done that with a different make...was a nightmare. It seems that mechanics can't solve problems anymore without a computer code to tell them what to fix. Very sad.

She was going to take it to her local service shop but they had a lot of poor reviews on the internet. The one she bought it from had high marks on service. I had misgivings about a turbo from the moment she fell in love with the car. In my day (yes, I'm old) turbos always had issues. The dealer said the technology is much better and more efficient. ummmm....yeah....sure....I hope this is an easy fix. She really loves the car but is rather disappointed and concerned right now. And so am I.

Legacy

 

[barch88]

Turbo cars are so common now, so I wouldn't be considered in all honestly. I don't have the turbo model Sonic, but I had a turbo Audi in the past. I would have her drive around with the mechanic to show him/her, and if it doesn't happen, just tell her to keep driving it until something goes wrong, it'll be covered under warranty.

The symptoms you mention have nothing to do with a turbo anyways.

 

[laborsmith]

Maybe use the scan tool you used to determine "no engine codes" to look for "peding codes." I am pretty sure a pending code does not cause a check engine light.


Laborsmith

 

[Natesriv]

if she has an up-to-date phone, maybe she can record a segment when the car is acting up to show the dealer. Video can be a great tool.

 

[sx sonic]

Well that's a bummer. I would not panic too much just yet, issues do happen and that's why manufactures supply warranties. It is unfortunate, she is having issues so early but with the details you've given us, and the low miles on the car it is improbable that the issues are severe or that this is a trend her car will have................ For. Instance I had a shift cable pop out of a retainer and leave me stuck in 2nd gear @1,500 miled, the dealer came and got it (free of charge) and fixed it. 40k miles later and I've not had an issue. I've got the turbo aswell.


The noise could be something like a rock stuck against a break shield.
Does it only make noise based on vehicle speed or engine rpm? Is the noise still present when turning, or applying the breaks? Does it make the squeak over bumps? Does temperature change the noise? I know it sounds nit-picky but having alot of info is invaluable in diagnostics, we may be able to determine the cause.



As for the rough idle, the 2 most common causes I've seen with the Sonics are the spark plug gaps being inconsistent from the factory (.028" for the 1.4t), and the auto trans programming. The auto transmission programming puts the trans in neutral when stopped (even thou It's in "D"), some models would stay in gear and the added engine load would cause it to run rough when stopped and in gear. If thats the case it should run fine by manually putting the car in neutral, if that works a reprogram is necessary, there'd be a bulletin the dealership could access it.

Those aren't the only causes, but the most likely. Neither would leave the car undrivable, just a nuisance. In fact most causes for a rough idle are not an immediate danger and can still be driven on, just don't ignore them.


Given that there is no code thrown and the likely causes of both problems it is very unlikely that driving it to the dealer will be problematic. If it were me I'd set up an appointment with your preferred dealer when convenient and drop it off.


I wish you luck, I know its a nerve racking situation but it'll work out.

 

[thebaron]

maybe taking the mechanic for a ride to show the issues, since there is no code yet?

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Legacy,

I am sorry to hear your daughter is having this concern. We can certainly assist her in locating a dealership and having this concern addressed. Please private message me her VIN, address, and phone number.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Swordsmith]

To help ease your mind about the "because turbo" theory; look again at the specific symptoms. She gets the squeak at speeds above 30. Not when she's floored it, not constantly, but specifically at higher speeds. The turbocharger spins up to boost at high RPM's in a given gear, so if it was the problem, it would either only be hitting when she's lead footing it, or it would gradually wind up to a whine, shift (lowering RPMs) and shut up, gradually wind up again, over and over as she passed through the gears.

It's possible her driving style is such that she's in low power/low RPMs up to 30ish, and then in constant boost thereafter... but that's highly unlikely and a very unusual driving style.

What you're looking for is something that happens when the wheels are turning faster, not when the engine is, because that's something that builds up and happens at high speeds... you can be at much lower RPM's at 50 than at 20, simply depending on which gear you're in.

I also like the idea that it might be a wind related noise, again, something that builds up directly with speed.

On the other hand, the fact that it's now idling rough might indicate some sort of engine problem... or how about the transmission. I like SX Sonic's idea of the auto transmission being disobedient as a possibility. I mean, not like as in that's fun, but as in that sounds like a possibility.

 

[Chrish051873]

So if your really worried about the turbo, dont be. If it is it defective, its under warranty, it will be replaced free of charge.
To add to that, its not really the turbo that goes bad itself, its the waste-gate pin gets worn out quickly, if that was a serviceable part, we would all most likely, still have our original turbo.

I have had mine replaced at 42,000 miles.

 

[Legacy]

Thank you all for your help! The squealing noise is at speeds 30 or over. She says when she lifts her foot up off the gas, the noise stops. (thinking fanbelt) She should be home later tonight...I think I'll take it for a spin. Hopefully, it will do the rough idle, strange sound thing for me. Mine has a very similar ride, hers is just peppier! But it might be a good comparison. I told her if it does it again to call OnStar and ask them if they "see" anything.

There's nothing unusual in the way she drives. I'm sure it's something simple. After what the other car put her through, we don't need a repeat. Especially with a new one. The dealership pretty much put my mind at ease regarding the turbo or she wouldn't have this one! I know it's all under warranty...just wanted to stay away from service centers for a while!

Erica, I'll get the info for you as soon as she pulls in. It's pretty awesome that there is someone from Chevrolet Customer Service that tries to help people out in this forum. Thank you!

And thank you to everyone here! Your advice and support are very appreciated!

Legacy

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

No problem Legacy. We enjoy interacting with Sonic owners on the forum, answering questions and assisting whenever we can. We look forward to your message. Have a great night.

Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Legacy]

Ok, she's home and we went for a ride. It didn't do the rough idle thing (although in park the idle seemed fast) but I did get to hear the noise. Overall, it's a pretty quiet noise that goes up and down in volume. We kept a steady speed of 50mph. We drove for about 30 minutes. The sound would come and go, again changing volume but never really loud. The nearest description and this is tough...a high pitched car alarm, very fast eep (eep,eep, eep, eep) that you are hearing from far away. Nothing wrong with the car's power. Turned off the AC and vent motor to see if this affected it. Nope. Slowed to 34 and held it. When it's volume is up, you can roll down the window and hear it outside the car even with the wind going past. Can hear it from either side equally. No, it's not terminal but it is annoying. It's going to the dealer's service center tomorrow morning at 7:30. They are expecting it. I'll update tomorrow night when I get home. Here's hoping the car does it for them.

She came home on the interstate and said her best mpg this week was 26?? Mine gets 38, same type of traffic and our driving skills are pretty much the same. That probably comes back to the idle sounding fast. She will mention that tomorrow too.

Legacy 2012 1.8 5 speed
Daughter 2013 1.4 auto

 

[Legacy]

Update:
The service center technician heard it too. Whew! Apparently the noise is stumping them too. They are still working on it but have determined that it is not the engine but they suspect it is a hub. They already fixed a trim piece problem that she pointed out last week at purchase. No mention of the idle yet...I think they are more interested in the noise that the car is making.

Legacy

 

[seanp1]

Update:
The service center technician heard it too. Whew! Apparently the noise is stumping them too. They are still working on it but have determined that it is not the engine but they suspect it is a hub. They already fixed a trim piece problem that she pointed out last week at purchase. No mention of the idle yet...I think they are more interested in the noise that the car is making.

Legacy

That's great news! It appears the tech still has his hearing too!

 

[Stanley]

Granted its a very different vehicle, but my Tahoe seemed to make a similar noise once upon a time. Turned out to be a belt tentioner. Changed it out and no more noise.

 

[Maddmatts]

Some people have found that their engine mounts weren't tightened properly. This could be some variation on that since the load on the mounts are reversed during coasting.

 

[Cepak]

That's great news! It appears the tech still has his hearing too!

Legacy,

Did you ever get a solution to the squeak issue? I just bought a new 2013 Sonic LT Turbo with the 6 speed automatic from a dealership with 7 miles on the odometer. On the 20 minute drive home we noticed the same type of beep/squeak at speeds above 15 mph but below 45. At first I thought it might be some sort of low speed safety beep for people to hear the car coming at low speeds, like what they put on electric vehicles. After doing internet searches, then searching on this forum, I realize this Sonic may have an issue.

If you have this issue resolved, it would be great to know what your problem was before I take this Sonic in for repair.

Thanks,

Tom

P.S. No engine idle issues and we averaged 38.7 mpg city/highway on a round trip from Fort Worth to Dallas, and this includes getting stuck in Dallas rush hour traffic.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Legacy,

Did you ever get a solution to the squeak issue? I just bought a new 2013 Sonic LT Turbo with the 6 speed automatic from a dealership with 7 miles on the odometer. On the 20 minute drive home we noticed the same type of beep/squeak at speeds above 15 mph but below 45. At first I thought it might be some sort of low speed safety beep for people to hear the car coming at low speeds, like what they put on electric vehicles. After doing internet searches, then searching on this forum, I realize this Sonic may have an issue.

If you have this issue resolved, it would be great to know what your problem was before I take this Sonic in for repair.

Thanks,

Tom

P.S. No engine idle issues and we averaged 38.7 mpg city/highway on a round trip from Fort Worth to Dallas, and this includes getting stuck in Dallas rush hour traffic.

Hi Tom,

I'm sorry you are experiencing a squeak with your Sonic. When you decide to take it in let us know so we reach out to the dealership for you. We can be reached via PM. Please include your full name and contact information, VIN, current mileage, and involved dealership.

Sincerely,

Jonathan A. (Assisting Erica)
Chevrolet Customer Care