August 28, 2012

General Motors is recalling almost 45,000 Sonic subcompacts from the 2012 model year because of a potential flaw with the windshield washers.

According to a report from the automaker (PDF) posted over the weekend to the Web site of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a hose designed to carry fluid from the reservoir to the dispensing nozzles could come off, a problem G.M. attributed to “an inappropriate lubricant used as an assembly aid.”

The report said the automaker learned of the problem after investigating what seemed like an abnormal number of warranty claims.

Alan Adler, a spokesman for G.M., estimated the recall covered half of the Sonics sold in the United States.

This is the second recall for the Sonic, introduced for the 2012 model year as a competitor to the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit. The first, in December, involved about 4,300 units that might have been assembled without the front brake liner or outer pad.

According to Chevrolet, about 48,500 Sonics have been sold this year through July. The Sonic is produced in Orion Township, Mich.