Turbocharger Warranty Extension for 2017-2018 Chevrolet Sonic, Trax, and Buick Encore: What You Need to Know

If you own a 2017-2018 Chevrolet Sonic, Chevrolet Trax, or Buick Encore equipped with a 1.4L engine, you may have heard about a potential issue with the turbocharger. General Motors (GM) has recognized this problem and issued a Special Coverage Adjustment to provide extended warranty protection. Here’s what you need to know about the coverage and what to do if your vehicle is affected.

The Turbocharger Issue

Certain vehicles from these model years may experience a condition that causes the turbocharger to fail. This failure can trigger several symptoms, including:

  • Illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light).

  • A diagnostic trouble code will be set by the vehicle’s onboard diagnostics system.

  • The engine may begin to run rough or experience reduced power, affecting performance.

These symptoms indicate that the turbocharger may need attention or replacement to prevent further issues with your engine.

Extended Warranty Coverage

To address the turbocharger issue, GM has extended the warranty for affected vehicles. The coverage now lasts for 10 years or 120,000 miles (193,000 km), whichever comes first. This extension starts from the original in-service date of the vehicle, regardless of the number of owners.

This special coverage is important because turbocharger repairs can be expensive. By extending the warranty, GM realizes that there is a severe defect in these model year vehicles.

What to Do if Your Turbocharger Fails

If you notice any of the symptoms described, or if your check engine light illuminates, it’s important to visit a GM dealership as soon as possible. Here’s what you can expect:

  1. Diagnosis: The dealership will run a diagnostic check to determine if the turbocharger is the source of the problem.

  2. Repair or Replacement: If the turbocharger is found to be at fault, the dealership will repair or replace it under the terms of the extended coverage, at no cost to you.

  3. Documentation: Keep a record of all service visits related to the turbocharger issue. This will be useful in the event of any future concerns or disputes.

Lemon Law Considerations

While this extended coverage is great news, it’s important to remember that the lemon law may also apply if your vehicle continues to experience repeated issues despite multiple repair attempts. If you’re in California, you may have a potential claim if the turbocharger defect or any other serious issue persists and cannot be resolved after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be entitled to a refund or replacement vehicle.

Reach out to valero law for a free lemon law case evlatuion and Protect Your Rights

If your 2017-2018 Chevrolet Sonic, Chevrolet Trax, or Buick Encore is still experiencing problems, even after turbocharger repairs and if you’re in California we can help you…. AT NO COST TO YOU! Valero Law, APC is a California consumer protection firm dedicated to protecting the lemon law rights of California consumers and ALL cases are taken on a contingency basis, meaning if there is no recovery, there is absolutely no fee to you! To see if you are eligible, contact us on the form below so we can review the details of your case and determine what you may be entitled to under California Lemon Law, including cash compensation or a vehicle buy back / refund!