Electrical System Related Problems of the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic

Table 1 shows one common electrical system related problems of the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic.

Table 1. Electrical System related problems of Chevrolet Sonic

Problem Category Number of Problems
Electrical System problems
5

Electrical System problem #1

Multiple attempts to fix camshaft/ camshaft position sensor. Causes car to decelerate at high speeds. Shaking while at high speeds.

Electrical System problem #2

Steering wheel will lock up when you turn on car, we took it to paradise Chevrolet, and they found power steering module has update available however need 12 volt battery to be a higher cca to reprogram p/s volt battery testing at 356 cca recommend replacing battery and reprogramming p/s module. Of course, this was not covered under our protection plan and should be covered, I had to pay. $578. 37 my car is only six years, and this should not be happing. 11/27/23 vehicle shuts off while driving this has happened three time to us. We cannot drive the car it is not safe. 12/19/23 had it tow to paradise Chevrolet. This car is not safe to drive. We have a protection plan its useless.

Electrical System problem #3

In June of 2023 I was driving my vehicle and suddenly the traction control, power steering and check engine light came on. I was able to get the vehicle safely home without the use of the power steering. Once I shut the vehicle off, it would not start again. I got the vehicle to my local dealership and they diagnosed it as one of the main wire harnesses was rubbing against a bolt near the battery, which is a known issue, and caused an electrical short in the system. It caused the ecu and electronic power steering to short out. They replaced the ecu, but have not been able to replace the eletronic power steering because it's no longer being manufactured. The vehicle at the time of incident was only 6 years old. I feel like this is a violation of the magnuson-moss act. There are no third party vendors that make this part. It has only ever been available through gm directly.

Electrical System problem #4

Vehicle chime changes in sound after calling onstar from vehicle, also speakers crackle after calling onstar from vehicle. I have taken vehicle to dealership several times with no resolve.

Electrical System problem #5

While driving to work within the city limits my daughter had an accident a few days ago involving a rear end collision with a four wheel drive pickup. She didn't notice the cars in front had stopped suddenly and hit the truck in front of her. The problem with this is that her front proximity signal didn't sound off warning she was too close and after the impact her airbags never deployed. Vehicle was traveling at leastt 35 mph. I am very concerned for her safety with the car now and if it's repairable we will still sell as my confidence in the vehicle's safety is gone.


Electrical System related problems in other Chevrolet Sonic model year vehicles:



Sonic Service Bulletins
Sonic Safety Recalls
Sonic Defect Investigations