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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is fairly new & is already showing an early trend of transmission problems.

Owners report hesitation when shifting & grinding/hard shifting into gears. Some dealers are calling the condition "normal". Another owner reported his dealership replaced the transmission under warranty, but the new transmission had the same exact grinding problem. Design defect?

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,363 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Chevrolet Sonic Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #38

Jan 012015

Sonic

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My mom purchased her vehicle and for this last year it has been nothing but issues. She took it and had it repaired because the oil light kept coming on and the gear shift sticking and the transmission. She took it to the dealership they charged her 400$. this is the second time. Autoplex in aransas pass Texas. As well as charging her for a battery that was under warranty. The car is now undriveable as it wont shift at all. We again took it to the dealership. They are not very thoroughly fixing it. My mother is 74 and is on a fixed income. The financial repairs are ridiculous as well as the safety issue.

- Aransas Pass, TX, USA

problem #37

Nov 112015

Sonic

  • 55,000 miles
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. Check engine on. Took to dealership and they found two hoses damaged and thermostat leaking.

- Pharr, TX, USA

problem #36

Jun 062013

Sonic

  • 30,000 miles
Car will start by itself after key is partially inserted into ignition and car will try to start over and over if left in ignition when turning off. Took to dealer they blamed on aftermarket radio. However, I am pretty sure has done almost from the point purchase. Disconnected radio stuff and still does same thing. Car is stationary in park. No safety issue other than what is stated.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #35

Oct 282015

Sonic

  • 21,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #34

Sep 252015

Sonic

  • 44,000 miles
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 for this incident and Chevrolet will not cover it.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #33

Aug 072015

Sonic

  • 66,200 miles
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#

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #32

Jul 132015

Sonic

  • 47,025 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

problem #31

Jun 102015

Sonic

  • 28,765 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving 20-25 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the air duct/valve cracked and the transmission cable failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,765.

- Washington, PA, USA

problem #30

Jun 072015

Sonic

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked and the keys removed from the ignition, the vehicle attempted to restart independently and the check engine light illuminated. The failure recurred once. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

- Edgewater, FL, USA

problem #29

May 282015

Sonic

  • 45,000 miles
When my wife places car in park, removes keys, the car will attempt to restart?!! yes re-start<< this is very dangerous & I am fearful for her life!!!! 2012 Sonic was purchased @ jon hall Chevrolet in daytona beach, fl. In 2011. With 700+ miles on it already. I'd certainly appreciate somebody contacting them (jon hall) and allow her to take it in for a free repair. Car is used only for her to go to work & back. This car fairly new (2012) has defect in it from the day she received it...plze do help. Her life may be at stake. (fire, explosion etc..)!!!!!!! brtralp@aol.com

- Edgewater, FL, USA

problem #28

Jun 012015

Sonic

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine light came on. Took car to dealership to diagnose problem. Dealer codes: P0101, P0171, throttle body intake tube torn allowing unmetered air to enter engine. Repair cost about $450 please advise if this is frequent occurrence in Chevy Sonic my 12. Are there similar complaints subject to recall?

- Plymouth , MI, USA

problem #27

May 312015

Sonic

  • 45,000 miles
I am owner of 2012 Chevy Sonic, yesterday again - when I shut off my car...it started back up again just after I shut the key off car was in park. Plze do H E L P - M E !!!

- Edgewater, FL, USA

problem #26

Jan 012012

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
A few months after purchasing my 2012 Chevy Sonic, I've noticed a decease in power and hesitation in its automatic shifting between gears. I've taken it in several times with the same issue, and each time the service techs (even the service manager) has told me and explained that it is behaving "normal" and "to design". if it were "normal" why hadn't it done that driving right off the lot"?? and why is it, years later, its shifting hesitation has gotten worse to the point of severe jerking as it shifts from one gear to another, as if someone were learning how to drive stick for the first time?????" there is nothing "normal" about how my vehicle is performing. It is complete[xxx] that I've been getting the run around about this issue for years. And they refuse to admit there's a problem, nor will they service it, which makes my vehicle ineligible to be claimed as a lemon, which it obviously is!!! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #25

Apr 172014

Sonic

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that antifreeze was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to find a leak and no repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Burkesville, KY, USA

problem #24

Jun 022014

Sonic

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate over 10 mph. In addition, the vehicle stalled when idling and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Burlington , NC, USA

problem #23

Nov 272014

Sonic

  • 50,300 miles
My wife was driving on the highway and it felt like transmission was slipping. We have a 6 speed manual turbo Chevy Sonic. While the car was under the 36000 warranty an engine fault light came on and we brought it to the dealer. I believe they said it had to do with turbo " they repaired the fault and now at 50000 miles it appears the transmission has let go and/or clutch " recall 14234 appears to be what happened to our vehicle or the aforementioned turbo problem they worked on and want us to pay for something that maybe a recall item or faulty workmanship during warranty period.

- Southington , CT, USA

problem #22

Oct 182014

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 47,740 miles
Beginning from the first month of ownership. Approx. 28,000 mi. At cold start there is a rattle noise like metal on metal. Then will disappear right after. Has been getting worse/ louder. Hard shifts, loss of power. Now as of last night the check engine light is on and the car runs rough. High idle, stalls, knocking noises from engine. Fault code. P0011?

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #21

Aug 212014

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 51,611 miles
1. took car in to dealership in Aug for check engine light on and coolant is low, car overheats. Car was in shop for almost 2 weeks (P/U Sept 5th). They repl. Radiator, thermostat, Sept 10 car stalls at major stop light and again at a stop sign. Engine starts making a loud noise and runs rough. Keeps stalling at idle. Take car back to dealer next day Sept 11. They have the car for 3 weeks. P/U Oct 7th after they repl the engine and some bolts. Sales agent assures me that there will be no more problems its fixed. 5 mins on the fwy at 70mph in fast lane at lunch hour car just turns off almost had a major accident trying to get over four lanes. Stops completely in the middle of slow lane by on-ramp almost was hit twice started the key and it turned on got off fwy and took directly back to dealer who called me three days later and stated that a connector was bad and thats why it turned off and they ordered the part and that should take care of the problem P/U car in three days. Sales agent called back day I was to P/U and said they were still working on it and I told him I want to talk with a supervisor I will not drive the car off lot, come to find out that day on the fwy that it had never been test driven. Contacting business bureau and attorney at this point.

- Camarillo, CA, USA

problem #20

Sep 012014

Sonic

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the check engine and gear box warning indicators illuminated while the vehicle was in drive, reverse, or park. While traveling approximately 55 mph on a major highway, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The contact stated that the gears were difficult to shift during the failure. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The dealer stated that the intake duct and boot needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V315000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #19

Aug 052014

Sonic

  • 1,200 miles
Current mileage is 26,985 1. car seems to lose power when accelerating and hesitates (almost shutting down), it happens randomly while driving as well and is now happening more and more often. It' very dangerous when crossing intersections or making a right on red and especially dangerous when accelerating to enter a highway. 2. rear suspension makes strange noises upon backing up/stopping; 3. very bad odor coming from A/C vents....disgusting, almost smells like plastic burning or burning rotten eggs; 4. I hear strange noises in the back brakes, not constant but random and getting louder when it does happen; 5. wiper fluid not working, I've been told this is a recall issue; 6. the automatic dashboard lights are constantly changing, most especially when turning the wipers on/off. It doesn't seem to matter if you're in complete darkness or daylight. 7. sometimes the car will not lock until you put the key back in the ignition, restart the car, take it out of park and put it back in park. Sometimes I have to do this 2 or 3 times, each time getting back out of the car to try to lock it. 8. steering this car on the highway at highway speeds is difficult...the car swerves and if it's a windy day it's beyond difficult to keep this car in the lane. Very dangerous. 9. the radio turns itself on and off as it pleases. It took me years to be able to finally purchase a new car and now there are not only 6 recalls on the car but I also have all the additional problems listed above. There's a 45 day wait to have the recalls repaired and event with that I am now going to have to take a day off of work without pay to get this crap all fixed! I feel like I have wasted my money. So much for expecting reliability and quality.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

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