MYRModel Year Report

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Chevrolet Sonic
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
354
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

44% of complaints

Complaints per year

2011: 1 complaint 2012: 354 complaints 2012 354 2013: 217 complaints 2014: 150 complaints 2015: 114 complaints 2015 2016: 48 complaints 2017: 37 complaints 2017 2018: 14 complaints 2019: 8 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints
2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 354 complaints 2012 354 2013: 217 complaints 2013 2014: 150 complaints 2014 2015: 114 complaints 2015 2016: 48 complaints 2016 2017: 37 complaints 2017 2018: 14 complaints 2018 2019: 8 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2020
2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 354 complaints 2012 354 2013: 217 complaints 2013 2014: 150 complaints 2014 2015: 114 complaints 2015 2016: 48 complaints 2016 2017: 37 complaints 2017 2018: 14 complaints 2018 2019: 8 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2020

2012: 354 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20111
2012354
2013217
2014150
2015114
201648
201737
201814
20198
202010

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

44% · 154 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2012-04-22

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

Engine

23% · 83 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 2012-05-14

I purchased a 2012 Chevy Sonic with 65k miles on it from Carvibe LLC earlier this month.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-20

Also filed under Service brakes and structure

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, 2024-01-14

Also filed under Electrical system and fuel/propulsion system

Electrical system

17% · 59 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Air bags

10% · 34 reports
CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 2017-11-24

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc) and traction control system

Suspension

5% · 19 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 354 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2012-01-23Service brakes, hydraulic11V599000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2012-09-07Visibility12V408000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2013-01-11Air bags12V522000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2013-02-13Air bags13V023000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2013-05-31Recall queryClosed 2014-07-09 Air Bag Non-deployment
  7. R
    2014-07-25Air bags14V300000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2014-08-08Power train14V315000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2014-08-29Equipment14V417000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Chevrolet Sonic — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 154 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 83 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 59 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11V599000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 12V408000 · Visibility
  • Recall 12V522000 · Air bags
  • Recall 13V023000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V300000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V315000 · Power train
  • Recall 14V417000 · Equipment
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.