My 1.4L Sonic was bad in crosswinds/buffeting on the highway, especially when passing/being passed by large vehicles (build date 03/2012) until I installed the discontinued (01/2012) air deflector/underbody cover (GM part no: 95016301, bought it at the dealer). Now it's rock solid on the highway! Sorry to post so much regarding this part, but it improved my car soooo much that I can't stop bragging about it!
Official - noise/rattle complaint thread
- Thread starter RIZNOSS
- Start date
My 1.4L Sonic was bad in crosswinds/buffeting on the highway, especially when passing/being passed by large vehicles (build date 03/2012) until I installed the discontinued (01/2012) air deflector/underbody cover (GM part no: 95016301, bought it at the dealer). Now it's rock solid on the highway! Sorry to post so much regarding this part, but it improved my car soooo much that I can't stop bragging about it!
I have a prominent 'buzz' that I'm thinking its a heat shield (over the exhaust manifold/turbo/primary catalyst or underneath the car between the exhaust and body). I notice it most when I'm backing out of my parking spot (on an steep incline, so I must rev the engine and slip the clutch a lot.), but I also notice it sometimes when I accelerate hard from a stop. Otherwise, my Sonic is quiet and has no squeaks, rattles or noises.
I didn't perform the bending part, but did use the sticky tape on the doors underneath the weather stripping as mentioned in your post and it worked like a charm at eliminating the wind noise at ear-height on both sides! Thanks for the great (and simple) fix to that annoying problem!
According to GM, they built the Sonic to higher standards so that more people would accept a small car. The car is unusually quiet, so smaller sounds might stand out a bit more, but I believe it's a pertinent thread. Both my 2012 Honda Civic and 2012 Fiat 500 have very low levels of NVH and no squeaks or rattles (though the Honda does seem to have more wind noise than expected, I think due to thinner windshield and side windows...)
I've not noticed any difference (performance, mpg, noice, etc.) in running 87, 91, or 93 octane, with or without ethanol. But, at about 2K miles, I added a bottle of O'Reilly Octane Booster to 93 octane (no ethanol) just to see if a large increase in octane might make some sort of difference in what seems like an occasional misfire at idle and did notice an improvement in throttle response and mpg (but the 'misfire at idle didn't change.) My car seemed to 'like' it, or maybe it was just the placebo effect, but I probably won't try it, again.
Malvino89
New member
lately ive heard like a rubbing noise in the rear of my HB when its been sitting for a little while (only in the rear) and i move it forward or back out of a parking spot. Today i noticed that i can replicate the noise by swinging the car from side to side while sitting in the car with it still off. i've heard different verdicts to this noise (tires, rear drum brakes, rear suspension, e-brake...) haven't taken it in yet, but dont know if its something serious or just normal noises. i just started noticing it because usually i turn up the radio before i move the car.. any suggestions??
Hello we just purchased a summit white lt last week and as of saturday our driver seat squeaks/creaks (you can tell it is the springs in the seat meeting other metal) when turning usually when the weight of the driver is transferred. It isn't very rapid just ever so slightly but, very irritating and consistent. Any ideas?
Foxbox
New member
My sonic makes a pretty substantial "pshh" noise when the suspension compresses on road imperfections. The slightest pothole or bump will cause this noise. It's equal between sides RF & LF. Anyone else have this noise? The car has done this since day one...normal?
I haven't read through this thread entirely so please excuse any ignorance.
I haven't read through this thread entirely so please excuse any ignorance.
Mine does this too and has ever since day one. I've heard my coworkers' Chevy cars (Cruze, Malibu) make the same noise going through our bumpy parking lot, so it might be normal for the type of suspension they use on these cars. I described it to a dealer and they said it was normal. I hate it.
I have a few rattles from my 2014 Sonic, but with 61K miles, some are to be expected. The doors have rattled horrible since the day it was bought when the bass hits. A more recent thing is something inside my steering column is rattling relatively bad. Something is the shift housing is rattling too. As far as mechanical, my exhaust gaskets are failing so when I'm at idle you can hear a lot of ticking. If I hit my brakes and hit a small bump in the road the pedal immediately starts 'pumping' and hits the floor - accompanied by some worrying loud exterior rattles, but there is no change in brake pressure. Thought about taking it to the dealer but I've had the basically call me an idiot and charge me $80 enough.
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SuperFudd
Member
Same here since day 1.
JesusTheAgnostic
New member
Sometimes I hear rattles in my car, it's always just that I have a can of soda, or some bullets in the cup holder. I forgot that sometimes the hatch rattles for no apparent reason.
Last edited:
Thesd45
New member
The "pumping" action of the pedal and the noise is actually the ABS system working correctly, to keep your wheels from locking up. When you hit the bump one of the wheels probably got a moment of air and the ABS system sensed the wheel locking up. It will also happen if you start to hydroplane or slide on ice, it helps prevent the slide and makes you stop quicker.
i didn't even think about that. now i feel like an idiot, lol. but the certainly makes sense.
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