Gear Shift knob button stuck in

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hi Thranz,

We are truly sorry to hear of this. We will be glad to look further into your concern and document this within our system. Please send us a private message with your full contact information, VIN, current mileage, and involved dealership name if we can be of any assistance. We will be glad to help with your concern!

Kristen A.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[rodslinger]

...

The fact the gave me back my unsafe car... I couldnt believe that..

While I've seen the same issue personally on a rental car I got in Miami, I don't think GM knowingly and willingly sold you a car that would have a faulty gear shift knob button.

There are some situations you just can't test for or don't expect a need to test for when designing things. Odd and unexpected issues crop up. And there are plenty of these cars with FAR higher mileage than you have that do not have the issue.

The best thing you can do is report it to the NHTSA under the defects complaints section. If enough people with the same issue report it then it will get more scrutiny. And be detailed without giving un-needed information. Just telling them the shifter button stuck won't cut it.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/index.xhtml

 

[ctjonsson]

Sonic is 2012 and is in Parking LOt

The key is stuck and the shifter is able to move up and down the the trans. with out using the shifter Button, it's stuck and the button will not pop out. Carl

 

[Chuck's Sonic]

This has been happening to my 2012 sonic with 29,000 miles on it for about a month now. I have to keep a can of WD40 in the car so I can squirt some in the shifter so the button will pop out. It only lasts for a few days. Does anyone know how to remove the outer grip so I can see what is binding inside?

 

[redloki55]

This just started happening to my auto shifter knob. I have been lucky enough to 'pry' the top of the knob away to allow the button to slide out, but I am probably going to have to get it fixed outside of warranty.

Does anyone know what specifically will cause this and how much it costs to correct?

I saw someone say $150 to look at it, and $650 to correct. But what did they have to do, I would rather just go in and ask for the replacement shift assembly and not have them waste $150 diagnosing a possible problem when new parts will most likely fix it.

 

[JordanN]

I had this problem in about June of 2013 and Chevy replaced my gearshift handle under warranty. The problem hasn't reoccurred since.

 

[SuperFudd]

I suspect this happens after many occurances of having the button "snap" when pressing prior to shifting out of park. Do so carefully so that there is no snap sound.

 

[bullitt4204]

Had the same problem. Only have 22k miles on ours. Dealer said they replaced the gearshift. Started having problems a week ago, then yesterday couldn't remove the key at all. Just have one house key on the key chain. Dealer had the parts in stock. Picking the car up in an hour or so. Chevy should fix this for free with only 22k miles on it. I think they said the repair will cost me $125.

 

[bullitt4204]

The shift knob part number for my 2012 Sonic is 95393161, price $14.80, labor was $85.00, misc shop supplies, etc, the total with tax was $113.16.

 

[Chuck's Sonic]

It seems to have been solved with WD40

Since I have been using WD40 (see my post from early May), it must have finally seeped into the problem area and I have not had to apply any for over a month. What I would do is, with the engine off and key in the on position to unlock the gearshift, place the gearshift into the manual shift position. This allows better access to the button. Then, I insert the WD40 nozzle tube into each side of the button and give a small squirt. I've only had to do this about 6 times since April and it has not returned for over a month.

So try this before you spend any money getting the gearshift replaced.

 

[Stu Pidaso]

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...-shifter-button-broken-repair.html#post321578

 

[RMinNJ]

Thanks so much. Mine has not broken yet but does not feel too solid.

 

[Diana]

Same problem, figured out how to get the key out...

I had the same problem with my new-to-me 2013 Sonic HB LTZ. I couldn't get the key out and the key was stuck in the accessories position. It was friday night and I couldn't get to a shop. I called AAA but they said they could only tow, jump my battery, or unlock my door. Since I couldn't turn off the car, I had to cover up all the lights on the dash and hope that no one would steal my car while I did some research. I found a small entry in the user's manual that said if the key wouldn't come out, there is a small hole in the steering column under the key hole that you could stick something into and move around, and in the right spot, there is a wire that if you trigger it, allows you to manually release the key. Since then, I've kept an uncut Sonic key blank in the door pocket that seems to be the perfect size for this purpose. :banana:

 

[proneto911]

I was having this problem up until 5 min ago. Took the shifter apart. found out that a bit of material was rubbing on the button thin, but was there at the back of the button housing took a razor cut 1mm into it and removed it and works like butter. Interesting enough didn't break any tabs or scratch anything like I thought I was going to do lol. It was bugging me.

I see people going to extremes cutting chunks thinking that was overkill when all you have to do it look at the button itself and see what was rubbing and cut little bits off till it's smooth. But that's my experience.

 

[proneto911]

found out (had some time on my hands) the root cause was the spring for the button itself. it seems it gets stuck in between the button and the shifter plastic on an angle and causing it to stick. i will post a video or pics whatever i can actually do but ended up cutting a groove in the button deep enough that it works for now.