Chevrolet recalls the Sonic for missing brake pad

Chevrolet says that the affected cars might be missing an inner or outer front brake pad, and that it became aware of the problem when a customer brought a Sonic into a dealership complaining about noises coming from the brakes. The carmaker noted that here are no known crashes or injuries related to the issue.

General Motors has now issued a formal recall that involves 4,873 Sonic models built from June 2, 2011 to November 21, 2011, of which 4,296 were sold to U.S. customers and 577 to Canadian buyers.

In a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), GM said that a missing pad could result in reduced brake system performance, increasing the risk of a crash. The carmaker will notify owners and have its dealers inspect the front brakes for a missing inner or outer pad.

"If a brake pad is missing, dealers will install new inner and outer pads, a new brake calliper, and a new rotor. This service will be performed free of charge," GM said in a statement. The safety recall on the Sonic is expected to begin on or before January 14, 2012.