2012 CHEVROLET SONIC Complaints and Recall Information
The 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC has 6 complaints and 7 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with loss of power related to the transmission and problems with braking and throttle systems. Some complaints include illuminated warning lights and unusual vehicle behavior while braking or accelerating.
Common Issues
- Transmission failure. Vehicle loses power and throttle response at highway speeds with loss of communication between engine control and transmission, linked to recall 14V315000.
- Brake system warning lights. ABS, traction control, and brake system lights illuminate simultaneously, affecting normal braking performance with delayed stopping and vehicle jerking.
- Brake booster pump defect. Brake pedal requires extra effort and vehicle response is abnormal; dealer diagnostics recommend replacing the brake booster pump assembly.
- Throttle sensor faults. Persistent P2138 error code after multiple accelerator pedal replacements; possible water intrusion into wiring connectors causing sensor malfunction.
There are 7 recalls affecting various systems including brakes, air bags, powertrain, electrical components, and visibility features. These recalls address safety-related defects such as missing brake pads, airbag deployment failure, transmission shaft fractures, and wiring insulation issues.
Recalls
- Brake pads (11V599000). 4,296 vehicles may have missing front brake inner or outer pads which reduce braking performance and increase crash risk. Dealers will inspect and replace pads, caliper, and rotor free of charge.
- Windshield washer hose (12V408000). 44,668 vehicles may suffer hose separation from the washer reservoir, preventing washer fluid delivery. Dealers will secure the hose to prevent separation at no cost.
- Driver air bag (12V522000, 13V023000, 14V300000). Approximately 37,636 vehicles affected by a shorting bar intermittently contacting air bag terminals, possibly preventing air bag deployment during a crash. Dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil free of charge.
- Transmission turbine shaft (14V315000). 21,567 vehicles with 6-speed automatic transmission and 1.8L engine may experience turbine shaft fracture, causing loss of upshifting or unexpected coasting, increasing crash risk. Transmission turbine shaft will be replaced free of charge.
- Engine block heater cord (14V417000). 2,990 vehicles may have damaged insulation in cold climates exposing wires on the oil pan heater cord, posing electrical shock risk. Dealers will replace the cord with a properly insulated one at no charge.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs related to transmission failure, braking defects, or unresolved recall issues should consider their rights under applicable state lemon laws. Legal guidance may help in addressing ongoing safety concerns or defective repairs.
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC Summary
2012
Model Year
6
Total Complaints
7
Total Recalls
112157
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
31520 vehicles affected
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 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.
Risk: If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
2990 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
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.
Risk: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
21567 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Risk: If the transmission turbine shaft fracture occurs during vehicle operation in first or second gear, the vehicle will not upshift to the third through sixth gears, limiting the vehicle's speed. If the fracture occurs during operation in third through sixth gear, the vehicle will coast until it slows enough to downshift to first or second gear, increasing the risk of a crash.
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
4167 vehicles affected
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 intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Risk: If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
2949 vehicles affected
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 air bag terminals.
Risk: If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
44668 vehicles affected
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
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.
Risk: A lack of washer fluid could impede the driver's view, increasing the risk of a crash.
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
4296 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
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.
Risk: A MISSING PAD COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Complaints
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
ID: 2106827ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Reviving the p2138 code for throttle/accelerator sensor. Still getting code after replacing 3 accelerator peddles. Possible manufacture issue with wiring that water gets into connectors shorting out that system
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
ID: 2088201UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
ID: 2088200VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UNKNOWN
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
ID: 2088199ENGINE
UNKNOWN
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
ID: 2085199SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on, the brakes, ABS, traction control, and braking system warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle took longer than normal to slow down. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle taken to a dealer where it was it diagnosed and determined that the brake booster pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
ID: 2082439POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The check engine OBD reader had lost communication with the transmission. The contact merged to the side of the road. The contact then went to auto parts store and attempted to change the speed sensor; however, the parts store had given the contact the incorrect part. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was already repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN). The vehicle had lost throttle and power. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.