2012 Chevrolet Sonic

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2012 Chevrolet Sonic
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2012: 353 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2011	1
2012	353
2013	217
2014	149
2015	114
2016	48
2017	37
2018	14
2019	8
2020	10

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 43%

43% of complaints: power train — 151 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WHEN I AM DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND AM BEHIND A CAR THAT IS TURNING I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN I GIVE IT GAS AT AROUND 2K RPM. THE CAR HAS SOME HESITATION LIKE IT CANT FIND A GEAR TO BE IN. IT HAS DONE IT SEANCE ABOUT 100 MILES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120422

ENGINE 23%

23% of complaints: engine — 82 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS CAUSING DISCOMFORT TO THE CONTACT'S NOSE, EYES, CLOTHES AND TASTE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120514

We have had to deal with severe overheating issues and failing parts our entire ownership of this vehicle, both of which then cause other parts to fail, as the parts are so poorly made and heat sensitive.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240114

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%

16% of complaints: electrical system — 56 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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NHTSA ODI report, 20240114

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 34 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 35 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE CONDITION WENT FROM RAIN TO SNOW AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171124

SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 353

R 20120123 — service brakes, hydraulic

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE FRONT BRAKE INNER OR OUTER

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL 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 CALIPER, AND A

Campaign 11V599000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120907 — visibility

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 5, 2011, through February 24, 2012. These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will secure the windshield washer hose to prevent separation, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner

Campaign 12V408000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130111 — air bags

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521

Campaign 12V522000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130213 — air bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

Campaign 13V023000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20130531 — RQ (closed 20140709)

Air Bag Non-deployment

R 20140725 — air bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured...

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300.

Campaign 14V300000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140808 — power train

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, to June 29, 2012, and equipped with a 6 speed automatic transmission and 1.8L four cylinder engine.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission turbine shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14234.

Campaign 14V315000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140829 — equipment

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles...

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014.

Campaign 14V417000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture