Worst 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
POWER TRAIN
ENGINE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 151 | 3 | — | 66,461 mi | |
| ENGINE | 82 | 2 | 3 | 65,876 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 56 | 3 | 1 | 53,121 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 46 | — | 1 | 83,359 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 34 | 18 | — | 86,707 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 19 | 1 | — | 25,637 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 16 | — | — | 39,099 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 15 | 1 | — | 49,283 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 14 | 5 | — | 98,128 mi | |
| STEERING | 13 | 2 | — | 41,709 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 11 | — | — | 40,239 mi | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 9 | 3 | — | 118,213 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 9 | 2 | 1 | 41,772 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 6 | 1 | 1 | 32,634 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4 | 1 | — | 1,300 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 4 | 2 | — | 100,298 mi | |
| TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | 3 | 1 | — | 51,853 mi | |
| WHEELS | 3 | 1 | — | 34,650 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 2 | 1 | — | 40,210 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 | 1 | — | 44,600 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 | — | — | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 | — | — | 79,962 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 1 | — | — | 45,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 | — | — | 69,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 1 | — | — | 38,000 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 | — | — | 37,300 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT | 1 | — | — | — | |
| SEATS | 1 | — | — | 107,000 mi | |
| STEERING:COLUMN | 1 | — | — | 11,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~112,157 vehicles.
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 manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
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. In the affected vehicles, the transmission turbine shaft may fracture.
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 December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
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 intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
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 air bag terminals.
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 Safety Standard No. 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems." The windshield wiper washer hose on these vehicles may separate from the washer fluid reservoir. If this occurs, washer fluid will not be available to the windshield.
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 PAD MAY BE MISSING.
Other Chevrolet Sonic Years
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Sonic reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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