Turbocharger failure — some very early-life
turbocharger failure or fault codes
Check engine light: On
Reported at least 3 separate times on this generation's 2.0L Ecotec turbo engine: outright failure at 52,000 miles, "engine noise continued" at just 7,300 miles — essentially day-one — and a turbo bypass valve throwing fault code P2261 at 36,880 miles. No cost figures were given for any of these three cases. The 7,300-mile failure is notably early and, combined with a separate early-life engine mount noise complaint at 7,200 miles, suggests some units may have left the factory with an issue rather than developing one through wear. A turbo fault code like this triggers a check-engine light.
7,300 – 52,000 mi
No cost figures given for any of the 3 reported cases. The 7,300-mile failure is notably early — possible early-production quality issue.
↑ Back to the problem table
Major multi-component failure — water pump, turbo seals, timing chain guide
loud noise and an oil leak from a combined failure
Check engine light: On
One documented combined failure of the water pump, turbocharger seals, and a fractured timing chain guide, at $6,000 at 100,750 miles — the most expensive single engine repair found in this sample. We've widened it into a $4,800-$6,600 range. A failure this extensive would trigger a check-engine light.
$4,800 – $6,600100,750 mi
↑ Back to the problem table
Cylinder head failure — severe
a dramatic cylinder head failure
Check engine light: On
One documented, severely-described failure at 58,000 miles: "sucked a valve into the piston head." A failure this severe would trigger a check-engine light.
58,000 mi
No cost figure given, though the failure description is severe.
↑ Back to the problem table
Timing chain / balance chain noise — some very early-life
vibration or noise from the timing/balance chain
Check engine light: On
Reported at least 3 times: "bad vibration and noise" at 77,424 miles, "balance chain noise" at just 8,000 miles — very early — and belt tensioner chatter at 42,000 miles. No cost figures were given for any of the three. Timing-related noise like this often triggers a check-engine light.
8,000 – 77,424 mi
No cost figures given. The 8,000-mile case is notably early — possible early-production quality issue.
↑ Back to the problem table
Serpentine belt / tensioner issues
chirping or squealing from the belt area
Check engine light: Off
Reported twice: a chirping noise at 49,000 miles, and loud squealing with vibrations at 27,500 miles. No cost figures were given for either case. A belt/tensioner noise on its own typically doesn't trigger a check-engine light.
27,500 – 49,000 mi
No cost figures given for either case.
↑ Back to the problem table
Camshaft solenoid / intake actuator issues
rough idle with fault codes P0010/P1101, or an intake actuator failure
Check engine light: On
Camshaft solenoid failure causing rough idle, with fault codes P0010 and P1101, at 40,000 miles (no cost given); a separate intake actuator failure at 59,000 miles (no cost given); and intake/exhaust solenoids replaced for $500 at 98,704 miles. We've widened the one costed case into a $400-$550 range. These are sensor/actuator faults that trigger a check-engine light — confirmed directly by the P0010/P1101 codes.
$400 – $55040,000 – 98,704 mi
Only 1 of 3 reported cases has a cost figure.
↑ Back to the problem table
Catalytic converter failure
a hole in the catalytic converter
Check engine light: On
One documented catalytic converter failure — "hole in unit" — at $950 at 84,000 miles. We've widened it into a $760-$1,045 range. A catalytic converter fault triggers a check-engine light.
$760 – $1,04584,000 mi
↑ Back to the problem table
Sensor / emissions issues (MAF sensor, fuel filler cap, emission control solenoid, crankshaft sensor)
a check engine light from a sensor fault
Check engine light: On
Several distinct sensor faults: check engine light traced to the MAF sensor/fuel filler cap ($600 at 45,400 miles, widened to $480 - $660), an emission control solenoid ($250 at 49,000 miles, widened to $200-$275), and a crankshaft sensor (warranty-covered at 54,000 miles, no cost given). We're presenting the combined $480 - $707 range across the costed cases. Sensor faults like these trigger a check-engine light.
$480 – $70745,400 – 54,000 mi
This entry covers three sensor problems (MAF/fuel cap, emission control solenoid, crankshaft sensor). The crankshaft sensor case was warranty-covered with no cost given.
↑ Back to the problem table
Ignition key stuck due to failed shifter
Ignition key gets stuck due to a failed shifter mechanism
Check engine light: Off
Ignition key gets stuck due to a failed shifter mechanism. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 121 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
Stalling due to mass air flow or crankshaft position sensor failure
Stalling caused by a failed mass air flow or crankshaft position sensor
Check engine light: On
Stalling caused by a failed mass air flow or crankshaft position sensor. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 93 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
Power window switches may fail
Power window switches fail
Check engine light: Off
Power window switches fail. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 83 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
HVAC display dim or goes out completely
HVAC display dims or goes out completely
Check engine light: Off
HVAC display dims or goes out completely. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 57 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
Failed fuel pump causes stall
Vehicle stalls due to a failed fuel pump
Check engine light: Off
Vehicle stalls due to a failed fuel pump. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 56 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
Transmission pressure control solenoid failure, erratic shifting
Erratic shifting from a failed transmission pressure control solenoid
Check engine light: On
Erratic shifting from a failed transmission pressure control solenoid. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 43 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
Intake manifold gasket leaks engine oil
Intake manifold gasket leaks engine oil
Check engine light: Off
Intake manifold gasket leaks engine oil. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 40 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
High pressure power steering hose leak
Power steering hose leaks under high pressure
Check engine light: Off
Power steering hose leaks under high pressure. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 39 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
Engine stalls at stop or low speed, persists despite repairs
Engine stalls at a stop or low speed, an issue that persists despite repair attempts
Check engine light: On
Engine stalls at a stop or low speed, an issue that persists despite repair attempts. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 30 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
Check engine light from a vacuum leak in the EGR tube
Check engine light from a vacuum leak in the EGR tube
Check engine light: On
Check engine light from a vacuum leak in the EGR tube. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 24 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
Car won't start due to ignition coil or crankshaft position sensor failure
Vehicle won't start due to a failed ignition coil or crankshaft position sensor
Check engine light: Off
Vehicle won't start due to a failed ignition coil or crankshaft position sensor. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 18 owner reports on file.
↑ Back to the problem table
This vehicle's 2.0L Ecotec turbo engine shows a notably high concentration of early-life issues (as early as 7,200-8,000 miles) alongside expected higher-mileage wear, which points to an early-production quality issue rather than normal wear. Separately, a serious brake-pedal-sticking issue (GM Technical Service Bulletin PIC5692D, tied to a documented 45 mph collision) is covered in the recall notice rather than with the common problems below.