NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. STARTED IN JUNE 2016, TOOK IT TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM. THEY RAN A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC ON THE CAR AND SAID THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT ABOUT A COST OF $500. SINCE I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT, THEY MAKE IT SO THE WARNING LIGHT WAS OFF AND SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE BAD SENSOR, THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THE WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON AGAIN. SINCE IS NOT A NORMAL "WEAR AND TEAR" PART ON THE VEHICLE, I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE ISSUE FIXED.
I NOTICED THE BUTTON ON MY GEAR SHIFT WOULD ALWAYS STICK WHEN I EITHER WENT TO PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR OR INTO PARK. I COULD NOT SHUT THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF UNTIL I GOT THE BUTTON UNSTUCK. THEN, I NOTICED THAT THE BUTTON WAS BROKE. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ANYTIME I USED THE BUTTON. IT HAD BEEN STICKING ON ME FOR A WHILE, BUT I NOTICED IT WAS BROKE ON 6/9/2016.
THEY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, AND THE GEAR SHIFT KEEPS GETTING STUCK. THE KEY WILL RELEASE AFTER THE CAR HAS SET FOR OVER 15 MINUTES. GETS STUCK AFTER I SHUT OFF THE CAR.
AIR INTAKE HOSE HAS BEEN REPLACED DUE TO CRACKING ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AT THAT TIME ABOUT 45K MILES. NOW THE SHIFT KNOB STICKS AND THE BUTTON TAKES FOREVER TO RELEASE, OR I HAVE TO POP IT BACK OUT SO I CAN TAKE THE KEY OUT OTHERWISE THE KEY GETS STUCK. GETTING WORSE...NOW IT IS BECOMING HARDER TO SHIFT INTO PARK. ALL THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR WHEN STATIONARY...I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE CAR INTO OTHER GEARS WHILE IN MOTION BUT I KNOW IT WILL HAPPEN IF IT IS PUSHED WHILE THAT BUTTON IS NOT RELEASED.
AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT BUTTON STICKS. SHIFT LEVER CAN MOVE FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL TO REVERSE TO PARK WITHOUT LOCKING AS THE BUTTON IS STUCK DEPRESSED. KEYS CANNOT BE REMOVED WHEN CAR IS IN PARK. STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. MULTIPLE TIMES. SITUATION IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, I.E. BUTTON IS STICKING MORE FREQUENTLY.
WHEN CHANGING THE GEAR SELECTION FOR EXAMPLE FROM PARK TO DRIVE ....THE GEAR BUTTON STAYS STUCK / PUSHED IN..... THIS IS DANGEROUS AS AN INFANT OR YOUR PASSENGER CAN ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE SHIFT KNOB ALLOWING THE CAR TO COME A SUDDEN STOP OR PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE.
MY TRANS WILL NOT SHIFT PASSED 3RD.
TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING AND I TRIED TO BRAKE AT AN INTERSECTION DUE TO A RED LIGHT AND THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I WAS UNABLE TO USE THE BRAKES BECAUSE THE PAD GOT STIFF AND IT DIDN'T ALLOW ME TO BRAKE, I HAD TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME .
WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN PARK, IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED.
IN 2015, MY 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL PURGE VALVE REPLACED. THE CAR WORKED FOR A WHILE AFTER THIS. HOWEVER, A FEW MONTHS AGO, IT STARTED HAVING A ROUGH IDLE, WITH THE RPMS DIPPING UP AND DOWN. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE RECENTLY, WHEN THE CAR ACTUALLY COMPLETELY DIED WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET HIT. NOW, IT IS EVEN WORSE. NOW, IN ADDITION TO THE ROUGH IDLE, TRACTION CONTROL RANDOMLY ENGAGES EVEN WHEN I AM NOT SLIPPING, CAUSING ME TO LOSE ALL POWER FOR BRIEF PERIODS OF TIME, WHILE IN MOTION. THE TRACTION CONTROL IS GLITCHING SO BAD THAT IT EVEN RANDOMLY ENGAGES WHEN I AM COMPLETELY STOPPED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE CAR WANTS $113 JUST TO TELL ME WHAT IS CAUSING IT, AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO ACTUALLY FIX. THERE ARE NO ACTIVE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE MODEL I OWN, SHOWS OTHER OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. CHEVROLET HAS BEEN NO HELP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A BEEPING NOISE STARTED. ALSO, THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LEFT IT THERE FOR TWO DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT FOUR HOSES ATTACHED TO THE RADIATOR FAILED AND THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS DAMAGED. IN APRIL, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE IT WAS EXPERIENCING A FAILURE WITH THE HEATER SYSTEM. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,856.
ONCE AGAIN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 2013 WITH 16000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE DEALERSHIP TRY TO TELL ME IT WAS THE GAS I WAS USING. COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE AIR INTAKE HOSE WAS CRACKED....THAT WAS A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO AND NOW IT IS ON AGAIN!!! THE FIRST IT WAS BARELY COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, I DONT THINK IT WILL THIS TIME. I AM PISSED.....I PAID 17000 FOR THIS CAR AND HAVE HAD IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES IT ISNT EVEN FUNNY. I EVEN HAD IT IN FOR THE SWAY BAR LINK THAT WAS BROKE WHICH SHOULDNT HAVE BEEN AT 42000 MILES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE IN PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO THE DRIVE POSITION. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME STUCK AND HAD TO BE FORCED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,500.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT-------AFTER THE FACTORY WARRANTEE EXPIRED I STILL HAVE THE POWER TRAIN IN FULL FORCE, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I HAD IT REPAIRED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO FOR SOME PART COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN. THIS MAKES 6 TIMES THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. I HATE THIS BECAUSE I CANNOT USE THE MAIN FEATURE I PURCHASED THE CAR FOR AUTO START. SO NEEDLESS TO SAY IT IS DOING THE SAME MESS....
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO SHAKE AND MAKE A LOUD POP NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT-END. THE VEHICLE WOULD THAN STALL CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR DUCT WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND REPLACED THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY, FUEL PUMPS, AND THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
SHIFT GEAR CRACKED ABOUT A MONTH AGO...TWO MONTHS AGO KEYS BROKE,TODAY SITTING AT STOP LIGHT COULDN'T GET CAR INTO GEAR. EVERY GEAR WENT TO REVERSE. HAD TO HAVE CAKE TOWED.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET (STRAIGHT AND FLAT, NO TURNS OR HILLS) AT 25 MPH AND WENT TO USE MY BRAKES. TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS NO POWER ASSIST. THE CAR ONLY HAS 48K MILES ON IT AND HAD NEVER DISPLAYED BRAKING PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE CAR DID NOT HAVE ISSUES AT THE STOP SIGN JUST A BLOCK BEFORE. AS IT HAPPENED A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE, I DROVE IT HOME AND PARKED IT. BESIDES THE LACK OF POWER ASSIST, THE MOTOR STARTED TO IDLE ROUGH-- IT WOULD SURGE TO 2500 RPM AND THEN SLOW DOWN TO 700 RPM, ALL WITH NO THROTTLE INPUT. WHEN I POPPED THE HOOD, TO LOOK FOR AN OBVIOUS LOOSE HOSE, I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING THAT LOOKED OUT OF THE NORM. HOWEVER, THERE WAS QUITE A BIT MORE NOISE THAN NORMAL-- IT WAS A COMBINATION OF HISSING AND WHIRRING. NOT THE NORMAL SOUND THE ENGINE WOULD MAKE WHILE RUNNING WITH THE HOOD OPEN. THERE WERE SOME NOISES COMING FROM THE BRAKE BOOSTER AREA (DRIVER'S SIDE BY THE FIREWALL) THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD PRIOR TO THAT DAY. THE CAR HAS A 1.8 FOUR CYLINDER AND A 5 SPEED MANUAL. THE ISSUES DID NOT IMPACT THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN ANY WAY, SO I DOUBT IT IS THE MASTER CYLINDER. AS I NOTED IT SEEMS TO BE A BRAKE BOOSTER ISSUE... HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO A GARAGE YET AS THE ISSUE JUST HAPPENED. (I AM NO MECHANIC, BUT HAVE A DECENT UNDERSTANDING OF HOW CARS WORK.) EITHER WAY, IT WAS QUITE A SURPRISE. WHILE I AM A MALE IN GOOD PHYSICAL SHAPE, EVEN I NEEDED TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO GET THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN FROM ONLY 25 MPH-- HAD I BEEN GOING FASTER, I WOULD HAVE LIKELY NEEDED TO USE THE E-BRAKE TO SLOW THE CAR. AGAIN, AT THIS TIME THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE ISSUE HAPPENED JUST YESTERDAY. FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, THE TEMPERATURE WAS COLD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT (15 F), BUT THERE WAS NO SNOW OR ICE ON THE ROAD, AND IT WAS SUNNY OUT.
I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC CAR. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, I BELIEVE ITS CALLED THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON, GETS STUCK FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND I CANNOT REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION UNTIL IT POPS OUT. REPORTED THIS TO MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SPAYED SOME OIL AROUND THE BUTTON BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. THIS HAPPENS DAILY. SOMETIMES IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS FOR THE BUTTON TO POP AND OTHER TIMES IT HAS TAKEN UP TO 10 MINUTES FOR THE BUTTON TO RELEASE.
WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL THE RPMS SHOOT UP BUT CAR EXCELERATES SLOWLY. IT JERKS HARD WHEN SWITCHING TO ANOTHER GEAR AND TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES TO FINALLY GET TO A SAFE SPEED. SOMETIMES THE CAR STRUGGLES TO GO UPHILL AND HARDLY ABLE TO REVERSE. DEALERSHIP CLEARED MY ENGINE CODES DURING MY LAST OIL CHANGE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON A WEEK LATER, AUTOZONE PULLED 3 CODES (P0700, P0300 AND P0717). CHANGED MY SPARK PLUGS, USED LUCAS OIL/5.25 OZ. FUEL TREATMENT TWICE BUT STILL NO CHANGE. SOMETIMES I CAN SMELL BURNING RUBBER. THIS PROBLEM MAKES IT HARD TO SAFELY MERGE ONTO HIGHWAYS AND GET THROUGH TRAFFIC LIGHTS FAST ENOUGH. NOW AUTOZONE HAS ACCIDENTALLY CLEARED MY CODES SO I CAN'T SEE IF ANY OF THE ABOVE LISTED CODES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED.
ON 1/31/2016 A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. THE FIRST AND BIGGEST ISSUE WAS THE AIRBAG NEVER WENT OFF AND THE SEAT BELT TENSIONERS DID NOT LOCK THE BELTS EITHER. I WENT FORWARD AND HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL RENDERING ME UNCONSCIOUS!!! ALMOST THE WHOLE FRONT END HAD TO BE REPLACED E.G.: GRILL AND FRONT PANEL, LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANELS, RADIATOR, BOTH WHEEL WELLS, SUSPENSION ON BOTH SIDES AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES WITH THOSE PLUS A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER THINGS LIKE THE RADIATOR, COOLANT AND WASHER TANKS ETC. ETC.... THIS WAS A FULL-FRONTAL WRECK AND NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG WENT OFF!!! SECONDLY ARE THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. THE ROADS WERE A LITTLE SLICK SO I HAD THE TC ON. WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES ALL THEY DID, HAVE DONE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND CONTINUE TO DO TO THIS DAY, IS IMMEDIATELY LOCK UP! I HAD ZERO CONTROL OF MY CAR. THIS CAR HAS, BY FAR, THE WORST ABS SYSTEM I HAVE EVER USED. THE TC IS COMPLETE [XXX], TOO!!! THIRDLY, EVERY TIME I START THE CAR THE ENGINE SEEMS TO MISFIRE OR SOMETHING! IT RATTLES AND SHAKES THE WHOLE CAR, HARD!!! AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT SEEMS TO FIND IT'S GROOVE AND IDLES NORMALLY. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS. ALL THEY TELL ME IS THEY ARE DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING FLAWS. THEY SAID I CAN PAY TO FIX THESE ISSUES WITH MY OWN MONEY OR WAIT AND SEE IF THE ISSUES BECOME RECALLS. WHICH, ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, HAVE NOT YET. TO ME, THESE ARE SOME PRETTY BIG SAFETY ISSUES THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE ADDRESSING!!! AND WHY AREN'T THEY????? I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THEM ANYWHERE. I'LL COME BACK IF I FIND THEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC COMMUTING MY GRANDCHILD TO PRE-K,PULLING OUT FROM STOP SIGN ONTO STRAIGHTAWAY STREET CROSSING IN FRONT OF DISTANT ONCOMING TRAFFIC,AND MY CAR STALLED,VERY SCARY AS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD WRECK WITH MY GRANDCHILD BEING HURT AS MYSELF! FORTUNATELY I LET COAST TO SIDE OF STREET AS I WAS ONLY GOING 10 MILES OR LESS AN HOUR WHEN IT SHUT OFF! IT WOULDN'T START RIGHT OFF! IT FINALLY STARTED AFTER A FEW SECONDS,MAYBE 5 OR MORE WENT BY! THIS IS VERY DISTURBING AS IT RISKS MY LIFE ,PLUS ANOTHER ALSO,AS HE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD! I NEED TO KNOW IF CAR IS EVEN SAFE TO KEEP DRIVING!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN AND DRIVING AT 65 MPH. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,500. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT LATCH THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT BELT TO THE VEHICLE SEAT FRACTURED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FRACTURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,573.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,581.
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD "UNDIAGNOSABLE" PROBLEMS AINCE IT HIT 1200 MILES. I HAVE MADE 57 VISITS TO CHEVY DEALERSHIPS FOR ATTEMPTED DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS. THE CAR HAS LURCHED FORWARD OF ITS OWN ACCORD, MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO ENGAGE ON A SINGLE OCCASION, THE CAR HAS INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF DURING IDLE, THE CAR HAS ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH SHIFTING FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. A 3 YEAR BATTLE HAS YEILDED NO ANSWERS OR IMPROVEMENT; I WAS UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE THE ISSUES COULDN'T BE DIAGNOSED. FINALLY THE CAR IS SHOWING CODES FOR WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE TRANSMISSION BASED ON HOW POORLY THE CAR IS RUNNING. I CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR THE DEALERSHIPS I HAVE WORKED WITH; THEY HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION FOR THE OBSCENE NUMBER OF VISITS I'VE MADE WITH THIS CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE VEHICLE FELT LOOSE FROM UNDERNEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THERE WAS NO FAILURE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FAILURE RECURRED FIVE MONTHS LATER AND IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE MADE A HUMMING NOISE WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STABILIZER LINKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDOW WASHER FLUID DRAINED ON THE ENGINE, AND THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOSE CONNECTED TO THE FLUID CONTAINER WAS DISCONNECTED AND NEEDED TO RECONNECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
THE CLEAN AIR HOSE FROM THE THROTTLE BODY TO THE CLEAN AIR HOSE SPLIT AT THE CONVOLUTES CAUSING AN UNREGULATED AIR / FUEL RATIO AND LACK OF POWER DUE TO THE ENGINE RUNNING LEAN. POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE IF ACCELERATING. MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE 77,791 KILOMETERS (48,230 MILES)
WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES AND 3 YEARS OLD, AIR INTAKE HOSE IS CRACKED AND SPLIT IN MANY LOCATIONS.
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A TWO LANE ROAD AT NIGHT, APPLIED BRAKES TO AVOID ANIMAL IN ROAD. CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND ROAD WAS DRY. THERE WAS PLENTY OF TIME TO SLOW TO AVOID ANIMAL SO THIS WAS NOT A PANIC STOP. UPON APPLICATION OF BRAKES, HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. DASH LIGHTS STAYED ON MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF THE VEHICLE. APPLIED BRAKES WITH MORE URGENCY AND ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED. VEHICLE SKIDDED STRAIGHT UNTIL THE RIGHT TIRES MADE CONTACT WITH THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE CAR THEN SPUN COUNTER CLOCKWISE BACK ONTO THE ROADWAY, ACROSS BOTH LANES, AND CAME TO REST ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ONCOMING LANE (APPROXIMATELY ONE AND ONE-HALF REVOLUTIONS). SKID MARKS ON HIGHWAY CONFIRMED THE WHEEL LOCK AND THE SPIN. CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND RE-STARTED AND ALL SYSTEMS WORKED FINE. UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW. PAINT STARTED TO LOOSE SHINE ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO ( I PERSONALLY WASH THE VEHICLE WITH PROPERLY CARS WASH SOUP). TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN'T COVER UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. COST OVER $400.00. CHECK ENGINE ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND TWO HOSES DAMAGED AND THERMOSTAT LEAKING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND POWERED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SHIFTED INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
GEAR SHIFT GETS STUCK - UNABLE TO TAKE KEY OUT, DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS.
CAR WITH 21,000 MILES OVERHEATED WHILE USING THE AC. ENGINE COOLANT ALARM CAME ON AND I TURNED THE AC OFF AND LIGHT SHUT OFF ALSO. TOOK IT TO AN AUTO SERVICE CHAIN AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST: $463.
KEY GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME BUT WHEN IT DOES YOU HAVE TO START THE CAR TWO OR THRE TIMES BEFORE IT COMES OUT. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM A HONDA DEALER. IT HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES TOTAL. AND I HAVE HAD THE CAR A MONTH.
FOR 2 MONTHS MY CHECK EMISSIONS LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND GOING OFF. ACCORDING TO MY OWNERS MANUAL THE GAS CAP OR AIR FILTER NEED FIXING. I WENT TO AUTOZONE TO GET A FREE DIAGNOSTICS READING. AT THE END OF AUGUST MY CAR STARTED TO HESITATE , WON'T ACCELERATE AT TAKE OFF. THEN STARTED HEAVY JERKING AT TAKE OFF AND WHEN SITTING STILL. I BOUGHT SOME LIQUID AND CHANGED AIR FILTER, SAME RESULTS. I CALLED CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE CAR CHECKED UNDER MY POWERTRAIN AND MY EMISSIONS WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET HELP SO I COULD GET MY CAR CHECKED NEXT FRIDAY ON THE 23RD. TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT MY CAR. BUT ON THE 16TH OF OCTOBER I'M LEAVING WORK I BACKED OUT OF STALL AND PULLED FORWARD CAR WAS DRAGGING ROUGHLY. I WAS WAITING TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC WHEN CAR STARTED JUTTING FORWARD. I PRESS ON THE GAS WENT FORWARD ABOUT 5 TO 8 FEET AND THEN NOTHING. I WAS STUCK INMID TRAFFIC. THE REVERSE WORKED SO I WAS ABLE TO ROLL OUT HARMS WAY.
THE CONSOLE GEAR SHIFT HAS A BUTTON THAT MUST BE DEPRESSED TO SHIFT. BUTTON STICKS IN DEPRESSED POSITION. CANNOT REMOVE KEYS IN PARK POSITION. VEHICLE IS 2012, 28,000 MILES.
THE CONSOLE GEAR SHIFT HAS A BUTTON THAT MUST BE DEPRESSED TO SHIFT. BUTTON STICKS IN DEPRESSED POSITION. CANNOT REMOVE KEYS IN PARK POSITION. THE BUTTON BROKE I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CONSOLE GEAR SHIFT AND HAVE IT INSTALLED. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE GEAR BECAME STUCK INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE WASHER FLUID WAS NOT OPERATING ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY ADD WIPER FLUID TO THE WASHER HOSE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A MONTH LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V408000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
WHEN PUTTING MY CAR INTO PARK THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON IS NOT RELEASING THEREFORE THE CAR CAN NOT BE TURNED OFF! THE SERVICE PLACE IS CHANGING ME $315 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE GEAR SHIFT! ALSO GEAR SHIFT IS STICKING NOT WANTING TO GO INTO PARK!!!
VEHICLE STARTED TO RANDOMLY SHOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, SMELL OF GASOLINE FROM TIME TO TIME. EVERY TIME I WOULD TAKE IT IN THE LIGHT WOULD NOT BE ON SO THEY COULDN'T HELP. FINALLY LIGHT STAYED ON AND VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE I WOULD DRIVE, ESPECIALLY IF I HIT A STOP LIGHT. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY TAKE VEHICLE IN AND I HAD TO RENT A RENTAL CAR SO I CAN GET TO WORK THAT MORNING. DEALERSHIP CALLED AND SAID THAT IT WAS A VACUUM ISSUE CAUSING ALL THE STALLING AND ALL THE ISSUES WITH THE MULTIPLE LIGHTS ON THE DASH. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE AIR DUCT FOR THE AIR INTAKE BOX. THIS VEHICLE WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH SAME ISSUE, VEHICLE IS BARELY OUT OF WARRANTY AND AT 36000 MILES BUT VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50K MILES. I HAD TO PAY $350.00 FOR THIS INCIDENT AND CHEVROLET WILL NOT COVER IT.
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC: GEAR SHIFT BUTTON STUCK IN DEPRESSED POSITION, PREVENTING REMOVAL OF THE KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN IN PARK POSITION AND ALLOWS THE SHIFTER TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS AND PARK POSITIONS WITH LITTLE-TO-NO INTERVENTION. INABILITY DISENGAGE BUTTON AND TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION ALSO CREATES INABILITY TO SECURELY PARK THE VEHICLE AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE FAILURE TO DISENGAGE WAS FIRST EXPRESSED INTERMITTENTLY, WITH A FAILURE OCCURRENCE RATE OF 20%-30% (WITH THE INITIAL FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES). WITHIN 3 MONTHS, THE FAILURE OCCURRENCE RATE INCREASED TO 100%. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS "INTERNAL FAULT OF SHIFTER AND KNOB ASSEMBLY," WITH RECOMMENDATION TO "REPLACE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY AND SHIFTER KNOB" (WITH LABOR + PARTS QUOTE AT $406.00 USD). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. DIAGNOSIS IDENTIFIED AS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, WITH REQUEST MADE TO ISSUE RECALL.
MY WIFE AND I W'ER HIT BY A PERSON THAT RAN A RED LIGHT THE CAR WAS TOTTLED OUT WITH MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL WHEN THE SIDE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BUT DIDNT CAUSING MY WHOLE SIDE AND HEAD SMASHING INTO THE SIDE DRIVER DOOR
AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD CAME ON, INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, NOW PERMANENTLY. THERE ARE THREE (3) AIR BAG RELATED RECALLS FOR 2012 CHEVROLET SONICS WHICH DETAIL THE SAME SYMPTOMS. NEAREST CHEVROLET DEALER SAID THIS SONIC IS NOT PART OF ANY OF THOSE RECALLS BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE SAME. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED AT NO COST TO OWNER? THANK YOU.
POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING AS I WAS LEAVING THE HOUSE, SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC SAID THE VOLTAGE FROM THE BATTERY WAS SPORADIC AND PRONE TO SPIKING. THIS SPIKING CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL, AS THIS VEHICLE HAS NO SURGE PROTECTOR TO PROTECT ELECTRONIC CHIPS. BATTER ACID HAD ALSO SPILLED OUT OF BOTH HEAD MOUNTS CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS UNDER THE HOOD.
TOOK MY 2012 CHEVY SONIC TO THE DEALER TODAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COOLING FAN IS CRACKED, THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED (HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE KEY STICKING FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW), AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BECAUSE OF AN AIR DUCT OUTLET. TOTAL REPAIRS TO BE AROUND $1,000. NO IDEA WHY THE COOLING FAN CRACKED ON A 3 YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES! #TOTALLY AGGRAVATED#
1. CAR LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING/HESITATION - SOMETIMES ALMOST FEELING LIKE THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN. IT'S RANDOM BUT HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. CAR WAS REPAIRED ONCE ALREADY FOR THIS, WAS BETTER FOR ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AND NOW IS DOING IT AGAIN. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN MERGING ONTO HIGHWAYS OR MAKING RIGHT TURNS ON RED OR SWITCHING LANES. 2. WIPER FLUID WAS NOT WORKING, RECALL ISSUE, BUT NOT ON MY CAR. REPAIRED ONCE AND NOW NOT WORKING AGAIN! 3. SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEREO CHANGING STATIONS, TURNING ITSELF ON AND OFF, VERY LOUD SCREECHING SOUNDS OCCASIONALLY, REPAIRED WITH AN UPDATE BUT STILL HAPPENING. 4. VERY STRANGE SOUNDS COMING FROM SUSPENSION, IT STARTED WHEN BACKING UP I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM 2 TIMES, HOWEVER, NOW IT'S HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING, IN REVERSE AND IT'S GETTING WORSE! 5. STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT ON A WINDY DAY WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY. VERY HARD TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE. 6. CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN WITH FOOT ON THE BREAK. 7. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/INTERIOR LIGHTS ALL DIMMING WHEN WIPERS ARE TURNED ON. SERVICE TOLD ME THE WIPER MOTOR IS A BIG DRAIN ON A SMALL ENGINE? NOW MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I STILL HAVE ALL THESE ISSUES!! I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS SAFE OR WELL BUILT. IT TOOK ME OVER 10 YEARS TO GET TO A POINT WHERE I COULD AFFORD A NEW HELLO, WENT WITH CHEVROLET TO KEEP IT "AMERICAN". I FEEL LIKE I MADE A HUGE MISTAKE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE....UPDATED 10/20/15 *BF UPDATED 12/06/2017*CN
AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF - AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY (PER THE MECHANIC). TOOK TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG MODULE WOULD NOT UPDATE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $750.00. HOW CAN A PART THAT HAS NEVER BEEN USED NOT BE ABLE TO BE UPDATED WITHOUT HAVING TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE. I SEE ALL THE RECALLS ON THIS CAR / THIS MODEL / THIS YEAR REGARDING AIRBAGS. I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ALSO NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPSTARTED IN ORDER TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,025.
MY RADIO STAYS ON IN MY 2012 SONIC EVEN AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR IN THE MORNING AND IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. THE CAR WAS JUMPED AND STARTED UP FINE. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS WITHOUT INCIDENT THEN I NOTICED THE RADIO WAS COMING ON AND OFF AS I WAS DRIVING. EVEN AFTER IT WAS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD JUST START PLAYING. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. TWO DAYS BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT THE CAR BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED AGAIN IN THE MORNING. ( AN EXTREME INCONVENIENCE AND ANNOYANCE IF YOU NEED TO BE TO WORK ON TIME). AGAIN THE CAR WAS JUMPED AND STARTED RIGHT UP. THE DAY BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT THE RADIO WAS COMING ON AND OFF WITHOUT ME TOUCHING IT. I WAS SO ANNOYED I PULLED THE BUTTON OFF. LUCKILY THE RADIO STAYED OFF. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIO WAS DAMAGED BECAUSE I PULLED THE KNOB OFF. I WAS TOLD $400 TO REPLACE RADIO AND INSTALLATION FEES. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE RADIO FROM NO FAULT OF MY OWN? I DID NOT GET IT REPLACED BY THE DEALER. I WAS ABLE TO POP THE KNOB BACK ON IN A SECOND SO I KNOW THE MECHANIC DIDN'T TRY AT ALL. THEY JUST WANTED TO REPLACE WITH A NEW ONE AND CHARGE ME. I HAVE PULLED THE FUSE AND CURRENTLY HAVE NO RADIO. THIS IS MY VERY FIRST NEW CAR AND I HAVE HAD OTHER ISSUES AS WELL, KEY GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION ETC. I WILL NEVER BY ANYTHING CHEVY AGAIN!!!
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026