AJSpark

I'd agree that it seems like Chevrolet is either replacing a defective part with another defective part -- or something else on the car is causing this part to fail.

But, it is/should be covered under the PowerTrain Warranty and thus should cost no money and none of your time (aside from taking it into the dealership). Plus, if it happens again, I'd rather have Chevrolet have its repair history and not have to replace it again myself when Chevrolet could/should replace it. Ultimately, Chevrolet should determine a permanent fix -- as once the PowerTrain Warranty expires, people are on their own for something that is a widespread and known issue. (My Service Department had a Cruze in the same day for the same exact issue and admitted that they've seen this issue often.)

AJSpark

Following up here as we have received the car back. Issue was identified to be the same cause/replacement as the aforementioned issue almost a year ago to the week. All work, including diagnosis, was covered under the PowerTrain Warranty (for the second time). We paid nothing.

This is what was written on the service invoice this time (verbatim -- spelling errors included ):
FWIW: I asked for clarification on replacing the "thermostat" vs. "thermostat housing". The Service Advisor stated that "you cannot replace just the thermostat -- you have to replace the entire housing."

Folks, don't pay for this repair. It should be covered by the PowerTrain Warranty. Fight it -- go to Chevrolet Corporate. The real problem for us is going to be once the PowerTrain Warranty expires (for us, that's 5 years this Fall).

WyrTwister

This is a pattern fault with Aveo and Sonic .

Ours is a 2015 . Hope they had it fixed by that model year .

Think the GM part is black plastic .

Here is a photo of a Gates brand part , made from metal


http://www.rockauto.com/info/64/34710-5_TOP_A__ra_t.jpg

God bless
Wyr

notmaria73

I just brought my 2013 Sonic RS Turbo to the dealership, as my car was not giving me any heat through the fans. I couldn't see out my front window as the defogger was not working properly. After reading this forum, I thought for sure I was going to get a call back from the dealer that the thermostat needed to be replaced. To my surprise, they discovered a fine crack in my radiator that was causing a slow coolant leak, and they're asking $1,500 to replace the radiator. They had to fill the radiator with over a gallon of coolant. How is this even possible on a four year old car with less than 50,000 miles and no accidents? I've never seen any sign of a leak in the parking space I use. Ahhh! I'd pay whatever it takes to replace the thermostat over this radiator madness!

WyrTwister

Rockauto.com shows an AC Delco radiator , shipped to Chicago for about $ 230.00 .

Were it me , I would shop around a little & change it myself .

Best of luck to you , :-)
Wyr
God bless

notmaria73

I would love to be able to buy a $230 radiator and replace it myself, but I'm not a mechanic nor do I have tools. I was just quite surprised that it was radiator giving me issues so early in its life. I have only 28,000 miles on my four year old car. I drove my Corolla in Chicago for almost 10 years, and I never had radiator issues.

Thank you for checking, though.

Have a good weekend.

WyrTwister

Go to a radiator shop & check their pricing .

For the cost difference between $ 1500 and $ 230 , you can buy a fair amount of tooling , even if you buy name brand . Even more if you go to Harbor Freight .

Check YouTube for videos of this repair .

But , no matter what you decide , best of luck to you .

If I were close , I would offer to help , But I am about 1,150 miles away .

Wyr
God bless

doughboyfuentes

Where did you find the part for $39? From my understanding, you can't just replace one or the other you have to replace the thermostat and the housing together. Cheers

kaleighmarie89

I bought a 2013 Chevy Sonic standard sedan new a few years back, when I got to about 60000 miles I started getting this code, thermostat open etc.. I am now almost 2 yrs since the first time it showed this code with the engine light on and my husband is currently changing the 7th thermostat. Luckily there are warranties on parts since this thermostat costs over $100. Why is this continuing to happen? Has anyone else had this problem over and over again like I have? Other than this I have had no other issues with my car, no overheating no under-heating etc. Every time we have checked the thermostat we take out, the O ring is bad and is not sealing. Does anyone have any answers, ideas etc. We are at a loss and Chevy seems to have no clue about this but if you google it there are a lot of people having problems with the 2012 through 2013 thermostat... Please help!!!!

WyrTwister

Common problem , but probably not to the extent you are having .

If we ever have this problem on our 2015 1.8l , I will probably choose to use a metal replacement part . Get everything clean , then rub coolant on the o-ring / gasket and the sealing surfaces . Tighten properly .

Fill with new coolant . Install belt and any thing else you removed .

Check the oil level . Would be tempted to change oil / filter at that time .

Fire it up & check for leaks & codes .

Wyr
God bless