Problems with unintended acceleration and buffeting
- Thread starter Cyric
- Start date
Bought my Sonic LT in June - sedan with automatic - and I'm experiencing some problems. I have also reported them to customer service. It idles too high when started and if I don't allow it time to "settle" down it lurches very badly. Nearly hit someone the other day. After it idles down, I can still drive without ever touching the accelerator. Can even make a U-turn. Admittedly it does not go every fast, but it does go. Can even do it in reverse. Perhaps this is normal.
It had an emissions alert within an hour of driving it off of the lot. And I thought I was delusional when the panel lights blinked the other evening. When braking it sometimes feels like the cruise is kicking in, but so far I haven't had the terrible experiences Cyric has had.
My Sonoma has over 500,000 miles and I will keep it forever. I loved my first Chevy purchased back in the '60s and I would have kept my Chevy Chevette (1976 Bicentennial edition) except a very large truck flipped it upside down on the freeway. Except for the Sonic, all others were manual. I used to love GM, but I am very, very disappointed in this vehicle.
It had an emissions alert within an hour of driving it off of the lot. And I thought I was delusional when the panel lights blinked the other evening. When braking it sometimes feels like the cruise is kicking in, but so far I haven't had the terrible experiences Cyric has had.
My Sonoma has over 500,000 miles and I will keep it forever. I loved my first Chevy purchased back in the '60s and I would have kept my Chevy Chevette (1976 Bicentennial edition) except a very large truck flipped it upside down on the freeway. Except for the Sonic, all others were manual. I used to love GM, but I am very, very disappointed in this vehicle.
Lovehanayo
New member
I think these things are not common as I haven't had this problem on my car or on any other.
The only time I've had problems was after a wreck and even though everything was replaced, stuff started failing Prematurely a couple months after and I had to use the extended warranty to fix it.
I haven't had any issues with my sonic and I love it.
LS1notFOUND
New member
sounds like idle air control or stuck throttle body. There should be codes and this sounds easy for a dealer to reproduce. have it checked. even w/o codes it should show on the sensors somewhere either a vacum leak or throttle open.
Chevrolet Customer Care
New member
Sorry to hear about the issues you've experienced with Sonic since your purchase. Hopefully, you give the Chevy dealership a chance to resolve the issues you're having. Please let me know what I can do to assist. Thank you for your post and being a Chevy Customer.
Vanessa,
GM Customer Service
What do you consider "idles high"? During a cold start my Sonic (manual) idles around 1000 for 1-2 mins while it warms up (I keep it in neutral during this time since I don't want to hold the clutch down), then the idle goes back down and I start driving with no issues.
The Pontiac G8 (automatic) I owned before my Sonic did the same thing and it too would lurch if you didn't let it warm up. I think you'll find that every automatic transmission car will drive without you ever touching the gas pedal when you have it in gear... The only time I would not think it is normal is if you have it in neutral.
You emissions issue was probably a loose gas cap (have you had it a bunch of times or just the once?). I've had that issue on two or three different vehicles and tightening the gas cap fixed it every time.
I have no idea what would make it feel like cruise control is kicking in when your braking. That makes no sense to me, I have never felt that in any car with cruise control. I do remember when cruise control first came out you weren't supposed to be driving around with it on if you were not using it though. People would leave it on and accidentally set it without realizing and going running into things. I could see that happening with the buttons the way they are on the steering wheel.
You are of course entitled to your own opinion and you have every right to be disappointed but IMO I think you might be overreacting. I've had two issues that required dealer assistance to solve and it has not caused any disappointment in my Sonic at all. Good luck with your issues!
Well guys, this will be my final update.
Chevy has absolved themselves of responsibility. They said they can't see anything amiss in the data, so it's not their problem.
From here on out, the plan is to get the damaged fixed when finances allow and sell it. Buy a beater, and try to get out from an upside down car loan.
Bit of a shame they lost a life long Chevy customer, but I'm not going to invest money in a company that's hellbent on dodging responsibility.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and support on the matter. I appreciate it. I wish you all the best with your sonics, and I hope there is NEVER a repeat of what I've gone through.
Chevy has absolved themselves of responsibility. They said they can't see anything amiss in the data, so it's not their problem.
From here on out, the plan is to get the damaged fixed when finances allow and sell it. Buy a beater, and try to get out from an upside down car loan.
Bit of a shame they lost a life long Chevy customer, but I'm not going to invest money in a company that's hellbent on dodging responsibility.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and support on the matter. I appreciate it. I wish you all the best with your sonics, and I hope there is NEVER a repeat of what I've gone through.
That's pretty crappy of them. I'd contact MA legal aid and consult an attorney. You should be covered my Lemon Laws.
Sorry bud.
Most states have something called Legal Aid, which helps you find low and no-cost attorneys. I'd do a Google search for that in whatever state you're in.
SSpeckerwood
New member
I agree. If there is a will, there is a way. Don't take this in the shorts