My brakes are scaring me.....

[ChicksHateMe]

I'll summarize from the beginning.....

Bought New 2013 in Feb 2014.

Within first few weeks my brake light and traction light would come on, then one of them would go off and the other stayed on until I cycled it off/on, to reset it. THAT turned out to be nothing more than low brake fluid.

It's been about 6 months and I've had some weird things happen related to brakes, but no lights.

Last week had my first oil change. Figured they'd top off the fluids too, but because it was my first, and a freebie, maybe not.

A few days ago I was driving and I just hit the gas, then immediately had to hit the brakes. they were HARD, but finally worked. I thought it was a fluke.

Today I drive somewhere and there go the lights again. Sure enough I get to a gas station and my brake fluid is about a 1/2 inch below the lowest level. Took almost the whole can to get it to the upper limit.

Couple hours ago I am driving home. I have my cruise control on and I am going up a hill, so the engine is giving it the gas. I start to get close to a car and so I hit the brakes. THEY ARE LIKE A ROCK. NO MOVEMENT. It felt like a brick was behind the pedal I was pushing so hard.

Eventually the Throttle let up and the brakes depressed. IT SCARED THE CRAP OUTTA ME (almost).

Now I see the last time it happened, it was NOT a fluke. So, on the way home I decide to rev it up and immediately hit the brakes. More often than not, the brakes took at least a second to go down. In fact, if I kept pressing the gas and tried to hit the brakes, they felt like that brick was underneath them.

It's freaking me out. This happen to anyone else? Can someone check it in a SAFE area, without anyone around. Here's what I did, and it was pretty consistent.

I was driving 50's to 60's. Gave it the gas and tried the brakes. The responded wicked slow.

I tried using the brakes with a little gas. They were rock solid. until I let up on the gas.

It just doesn't seem right.

I am a conspiracy theorist. I think they are controlling my brakes via ONSTAR cause I complained about hitting the FOB and car turning off.....

Sorta kidding about the conspiracy, but no joke with the brakes acting the way they do. I would think whether it's getting gas or not, those suckers should be working to stop me immediately.

I highly doubt it's normal, but wondered if others experienced something similar.

I hope to go to a dealer and get a mechanic to come drive with me. They can drive, I will just tell them how to make it happen....

 

[ChicksHateMe]

Oh, and I have to wonder. I've got just over 4,000 miles and now I've been through two cans of DOT 3. I think that's a bit excessive too. My Coolant's disappearing like others, but not at the rate my brake fluid is.

I'm getting the feeling the honeymoon's over....

 

[jgrote]

You have a problem. Brake fluid is a sealed system, and should use no more than it takes to make up for the pads wearing. Get it to the dealer ASAP. Now for what I think you have going on:

1) I remember reading a TSB about brake pads missing. I believe what was actually happening is that the pad delaminated and left only the metal backing. It might be your issue , but I doubt it.

2) Your master brake cylinder (MBC) is leaking, but not how you think. It's leaking brake fluid into the master brake booster (MBB). If your MBC is filling your MBB with fluid, it is not able to use that chamber to hold vacuum that aids in your braking.

 

[Papasonic]

1) I remember reading a TSB about brake pads missing. I believe what was actually happening is that the pad delaminated and left only the metal backing. It might be your issue , but I doubt it.

It won't be the above problem, as this was only on early production 2012 models; the brake pads were actually missing from the caliper assembly. Very few vehicles had this problem.

I agree with your second possible scenario causing a lack of brake boost.

 

[Natesriv]

Dealership....like NOW

 

[SouthFLSonic]

It won't be the above problem, as this was only on early production 2012 models; the brake pads were actually missing from the caliper assembly. Very few vehicles had this problem.

YAY!!! My cars unique :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: When I test drove my car I told him the brakes felt horrible and when I picked it up he said it was one of the ones they forgot the pads on so they fixed it.

 

[94383Z71]

You have a problem. Brake fluid is a sealed system, and should use no more than it takes to make up for the pads wearing. Get it to the dealer ASAP. Now for what I think you have going on:

2) Your master brake cylinder (MBC) is leaking, but not how you think. It's leaking brake fluid into the master brake booster (MBB). If your MBC is filling your MBB with fluid, it is not able to use that chamber to hold vacuum that aids in your braking.

Like others, I say quit screwing around "testing" it and go to a dealer like, yesterday, and refuse to pick it up until they've identified a tangible problem.

The second option above is all I can think of. An other fluid leaks that come to mind would not make it so hard to press-hard to stop, but not hard pedal movement.

I haven't been up in that area, but is there anything near the pedal assembly that could be physically jamming it? Wouldn't explain the fluid, but it's a thought.

 

[mitdr774]

Low fluid and a booster that isnt working correctly would suggest to me that you probably have a fluid leak into the booster. The one way check valve between the engine and booster may also be bad. Quit driving around trying to sort out what it is and go to the dealer. Tell them exactly what is happening and what you have had to do so far.

 

[Natesriv]

yeah, what the topless Native American said!

 

[ChicksHateMe]

OK, OK.. I'm goin', I'm Goin', jeez

Other than the first incident, when I first got the car and it was low on fluid, and the one fluke. It was fine. But yesterday was when everything really happened, so I wasn't delaying really. Well, maybe.

Called dealer and going now. They asked if I could reproduce it. I told then THEY could, but I don't want to...

I'll letcha know what they find.

 

[ChicksHateMe]

Dealer called. Has to keep it. They're able to recreate it, but don't know what it is. Says they haven't seen it before and need to contact Chevy to see if there's any similar reports and a solution on record.

 

[Blue hedgehog]

Like others have said, you shouldn't need to add a lot of fluid to the brakes. I never add fluid. If its low either 1 of 2 things are wrong 1 I have a leak or 2 I need new pads. If you top off the fluid when you need new pads it makes a mess when the new pads are installed.

If you don't have a visible leak and the fluid keeps disappearing, there is only 1 place for it to go, into the booster. Once in the booster its possible that it could damage the check valve causing the hard pedal you described.

I'll bet you have a bad master that leaked into the booster causing it to go bad. that allowed fluid to ruin the check valve as the fluid was sucked through it into the engine before it was burnt and sent out the exhaust.

It seems like all they want to do at the dealers these days is hook up a computer to check codes, or look on a computer for all the answers. If someone or something doesn't tell them the problem, your the 1st person to have this problem. Hopefully the mechanic is better at changing parts than diagnosing the problem for your sake.

 

[jgrote]

The "funny" part about this is that this is a pretty typical way for a MBC to fail. It's even a very easy thing to diagnose. Remove the 2 bolts holding the MBC to the MBB and see if it's wet behind it. You don't even need to remove the brake lines. There will be enough play in them to pull it forward enough to feel. I hate lazy techs.

 

[ChicksHateMe]

Well, you guys were right. Booster was holding all the brake fluid. They had to order a Master Cylinder and Booster. They'll be in tomorrow, so I hope to have it back by then.

They offered an Enterprise rental, but I don't need one. Although a convertible for a day would be nice...

 

[94383Z71]

It sounds like you have a good dealership to work with; that's too rare these days

Hope it continues to pan out!

 

[ChicksHateMe]

I started with a local dealership testing Sonic's when I was just looking, but I ended up basically stealing mine from a really small dealership 30 miles away that wanted to dump the last 2013, to make room for the 2015's.

Luckily it was EXACTLY what I wanted. Even more than I wanted actually. I basically got the 1.4 Turbo and Mylink free. Under $16k.

The dealer I bought from seemed decent enough, but there were problems. I had to go back 4 times for my sticker. Plus I had the loss of brake fluid and the lights came on within first month. That should have been a sign of something wrong back then. A week ago I went for my first free oil change and they didn't even look at the brake fluid, which was below the low level AGAIN. If they saw that, and looked at my history, it should have thrown up a red flag. Within the week I had the brake lights coming on and the loss of the brakes while accelerating.

I feel a little guilty going to the local Chevy dealer for service, even though I didn't buy through them, but they get really great reviews for both sales and service. And the way they talked me through this so far, it sounds like they know what they're doing.

I don't feel TOO guilty though. After I bought my car, I went back to the salesperson who helped me at the local dealership and tossed him a chunk of cash. Mainly because I got such a deal, and because he was low-pressure and helped me a lot with educating me on the cars.

 

[Natesriv]

sounds like if they get this fixed you'll be set. I had a new waterpump, new axle seal & several visits for noisy shocks (I just bought aftermarkets) and twice for a possible design flaw in the hatcback which creates a wind noise from the upper portion of the hatch seal...

All fixed by dealer or myself...trouble free for many months... Getting 37 mpg on no ethanol premium... Can't complain.

Good luck Amigo!

 

[ChicksHateMe]

Edit - Removed Depressing rant.

It's done. They feel different. Not better, Different.... I need to get use to them I guess.



RE-EDIT - Rant returned because some read it and replied
*******************************************

sounds like if they get this fixed you'll be set. I had a new waterpump, new axle seal & several visits for noisy shocks (I just bought aftermarkets) and twice for a possible design flaw in the hatcback which creates a wind noise from the upper portion of the hatch seal...

All fixed by dealer or myself...trouble free for many months... Getting 37 mpg on no ethanol premium... Can't complain.

Good luck Amigo!

Thanks,

I got it back today. I don't know if I just got use to the harder brakes, but now my brakes go near the floor and aren't as solid. Too squishy to me. I think they need a re-bleeding. I went back, but they convinced me to try it for a few days, so I will.

When I looked at cars, I liked the brakes of the Sonic. I HATED the Fiesta's. At least the one I tested. And researching on it, they were known to have issues if they weren't bled right. That kept me from Ford and pushed me to the Sonic. Trouble is, I think my brakes now feel like the Fiesta's did. Weak.

Wasn't happy with how the engine compartment wasn't cleaned up all that well either. And looking in there, I now hear a tick in the engine.

They are sending a survey. I don't think I will fill it out. What's the saying.. If you have nothing good to say....

Pretty depressing week Sonic-wise.

Water got in on Passenger side floor, not sure how yet. Windows were up.
Key FOB - I Hit it the wrong way and it shut off car
Brakes Hard and didn't work while accelerating
Brakes too soft after replacement of Master Cylinder and Booster
Coolant level keeps getting low, as others have talked about.
Ticking in engine, noticed when inspecting their work.
Messy engine compartment after repairs
New Scratch on Hood.

Not to mention the Enterprise Rental, a Malibu, drove like a boat and smelled like it came from a flood zone. Smelt like a swamp and was really humid in it. I had to put heat on and roll down the windows to try and remove it. Made me wonder about how my floor got wet.

One issue at a time might be minor, but to have it all these annoyances come at once is aggravating.

After a depression Nap I'll go drive it some more. Hopefully the tic is nothing and I get use to the brakes as they are. But right now I am kinda pissed and don't even want to see it right now.

 

[jgrote]

Biggest mistake when changing a MC is not bleeding the ABS pump correctly. Make them redo it, unless you feel like DIYing it. Brakes are the only thing on my car I really, really have to have perfect. If it doesn't run, I still live. Life gets way too exciting when a car won't stop.

 

[ChicksHateMe]

Biggest mistake when changing a MC is not bleeding the ABS pump correctly. Make them redo it, unless you feel like DIYing it. Brakes are the only thing on my car I really, really have to have perfect. If it doesn't run, I still live. Life gets way too exciting when a car won't stop.

Oops, you read it. Yeah. I think I will give it a day or two, but I've done brakes, and I feel like there's air in there. I drove about 6 or 7 Sonics when I tested cars for 8 months before I got this one. ALL were great. I HATED the Fiesta's brakes. None other were noticeable one way or the others. But the Sonics' "Were" nice....

I will call them when I can be without it again. After, I will clean the mess they left me in the engine compartment. I've done plenty of them myself, maybe I should. If you want it done right...... right?

I need a few days to recover from a lot of stuff, then I will get it right. One way or the other.