Reliability

[SuperFudd]

According to a Report in a well known Consumer's magazine rating the reliability of current automobiles, the Sonic gets a score of about -45. Normal range is defined as +-20. This beats the Fiat 500 at about -75 and the Ford Fiesta at about -162. in the "subcompact" class the Toyota Yaris wins at about +45.
What is not made clear is that minor complaints such as a lose window washer hose or failed window switch score the same as major complaints such as a thrown tie rod or seized steering.
As for the horrible score of the Fiesta, Ford's direct competator to our Sonic, I suspect it is the continuing major design flaws in their (semi) automatics.
As for the Fiat, well, it is a Fiat, right Tony?

 

[Natesriv]

They try to dress up the Yaris...it's still a turd.
IF.... Chevy keeps the Sonic for a few model changes I suspect it'll be up there too... This is only Gen 1 Sonic.

The '12's seem to have the worst of it, My '13 had only had a bad oil seal and a waterpump...all under warranty. My shifter boot is torn a little that's it.

Been a great little car for me. And still the best looking subcompact in the US inventory! If GM would PLEASE make an SS model...

 

[rdss]

This is the first gen "Sonic" but it's been around a long time and it's early generations where considered "turds" (the Aveo) and the name aesthetics change has greatly helped it. I would have never considered driving the Aveo but bought and drove the Sonic, even now I see an extreme resemblance between the last year Aveo and the Sonic's design ques. I do agree that it will only continue to get better as the years pass, it seems that GM actually cares about this platform now.

 

[Natesriv]

Did the same company make the Aveo and Sonic... wasn't that Daewoo or something??

I'd say their different enough since this has the ecotec... The "original" Aveo didn't.

 

[ahtoxa]

According to a Report in a well known Consumer's magazine rating the reliability of current automobiles, the Sonic gets a score of about -45. Normal range is defined as +-20. This beats the Fiat 500 at about -75 and the Ford Fiesta at about -162. in the "subcompact" class the Toyota Yaris wins at about +45.
What is not made clear is that minor complaints such as a lose window washer hose or failed window switch score the same as major complaints such as a thrown tie rod or seized steering.
As for the horrible score of the Fiesta, Ford's direct competator to our Sonic, I suspect it is the continuing major design flaws in their (semi) automatics.
As for the Fiat, well, it is a Fiat, right Tony?

I'll need to source a quote on this, but Ford's score is in the gutter due to their earlier MyLink issues of slow interface and other niggling things.

And your point is correct - it isn't apparent how the scoring system works, because a delay in UI from MyLink shouldn't be scored the same as a blown rod.

 

[Natesriv]

I'd read the same about Ford. The Ford version of mylink..in fact the whole in car entertainment/HVAC system was panned...
Ford has put some serious time in fixing it too..

 

[ahtoxa]

Yes, thanks for pointing that out - Ford's version of MyLink - I forgot the name they use.

 

[twitch'sSonicRS]

Did the same company make the Aveo and Sonic... wasn't that Daewoo or something??



I'd say their different enough since this has the ecotec... The "original" Aveo didn't.

It had a chevy bow tie on it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TomFromParma]

The Yaris is far from a turd. It may be boring, but it is dead reliable, even with the older technology.

 

[Deliboy]

Yes, thanks for pointing that out - Ford's version of MyLink - I forgot the name they use.

Ford Sync by Microsoft.

Used the slight higher system in the Edge when I had it as a rental. Horrible interface.

 

[SuperFudd]

That same publication has more on Sonic reliability.
The 2012 has a major problem with " suspension ". Maybe tie rod ends?
The 2013 is at least average in all catagories.
The 2014 scores below average only in " body hardware ".

About the Focus. The major problem is " transmission ". with " audio system " a close second.

 

[wbjones]

Did the same company make the Aveo and Sonic... wasn't that Daewoo or something??

I'd say their different enough since this has the ecotec... The "original" Aveo didn't.

not sure … the build plate on mine says .. built in Mich.

 

[ChrisJ]

That same publication has more on Sonic reliability.
The 2012 has a major problem with " suspension ". Maybe tie rod ends?
The 2013 is at least average in all catagories.
The 2014 scores below average only in " body hardware ".

About the Focus. The major problem is " transmission ". with " audio system " a close second.

For 2012 my guess is by suspension they mean the stabilizer bar links. $30 for two parts not a big deal overall but I will be replacing mine with the Moogs recommended by $ub$onic.

 

[SuperFudd]

Yeah, I probably meant Stabilizer bar links.
Any reason to think they were any better since 2012?

 

[Hdmanny]

For 2012 my guess is by suspension they mean the stabilizer bar links. $30 for two parts not a big deal overall but I will be replacing mine with the Moogs recommended by $ub$onic.

I replaced my end links when they went bad, I used the Moog K750519 performance end links which are greasable. They were a perfect fit on the car and I noticed the improvement.

 

[$ub$onic]

I replaced my end links when they went bad, I used the Moog K750519 performance end links which are greasable. They were a perfect fit on the car and I noticed the improvement.

Hmmm. That's not the p/n I have. Let me double check my number


Edit:

Those are for most modern buicks, cruze, volt


P/n k80252 is for the Cobalts, ions, hhr.

 

[ChrisJ]

I replaced my end links when they went bad, I used the Moog K750519 performance end links which are greasable. They were a perfect fit on the car and I noticed the improvement.

Hmmm. That's not the p/n I have. Let me double check my number


Edit:

Those are for most modern buicks, cruze, volt


P/n k80252 is for the Cobalts, ions, hhr.

Hmm,
So which one fits the Sonic?

 

[ChrisJ]

Yeah, I probably meant Stabilizer bar links.
Any reason to think they were any better since 2012?

GM allegedly redesigned them early on. My second set are said to be "improved" though they seem to be failing. Unless the sound I heard the other day was something else, but I kinda hope not.

 

[$ub$onic]

Hmm,

So which one fits the Sonic?

So the 80252's are for a regular cobalt and should fit a stock sonic.

Mine is lowered and can not run the longer links and must run the SS links witch is p/n 750012 I believe.

80252 are 11.8 vs 750012 that are 9.86

Sorry, I am digging through my notes and re looking things up. I thought the 80252's were the SS links.

 

[ChrisJ]

So the 80252's are for a regular cobalt and should fit a stock sonic.

Mine is lowered and can not run the longer links and must run the SS links witch is p/n 750012 I believe.

80252 are 11.8 vs 750012 that are 9.86

Sorry, I am digging through my notes and re looking things up. I thought the 80252's were the SS links.

What about K750519?