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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 4 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

Jan 082014

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 48,000 miles

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

My vehicle has been a nightmare. In January I visited the dealership because my heater was not working. At that time I was told I would need to replace my battery soon that it had some leaking acid. Three weeks later I replace the battery. At that time the dealership installed a new battery and sent me on my way. Ive spent thousands since then repairing what the dealership described as a electrical nightmare. I also have told the dealership several times that there are transmission problems with my vehicle. I insisted they drive with me and although the transmission issues have been acknowledged, the dealership has been busy repairing the electrical damage of the battery, the have never touched my transmission. I still have transmission problems. My car hesitates and doesn't accelerate causing me to almost wreck several times. I also have had several ignition problems with my vehicle. One occasion my vehicle would not turn off. The key was in the off position but the car remained running for several hours until the battery was dead. Anther occasion I was pumping gas and the vehicle was turned off. My two young children were in the vehicle and the car started cranking itself. It attempted to start three different times. My car stalls at red lights and will decelerate in the middle of heave traffic. I am frightened to drive my vehicle and fear for me and my childrens safety. I have contacted GM several times and have had my car in for repair numerous times. My salesperson advised me to file a lemon law report and my mechanic described my vehicle as an electrical nightmare. No GM rep can explain why my vehicles battery would have caused this much damage being my car was less than 2 years old. Please help.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #17

May 062014

Sonic 4-cyl

  • miles
2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Consumer writes in regards to recalls and vehicle repairs issues. The consumer stated the check engine light illuminated. The knock sensor and lower transmission mount were replaced.

- Spring Valley, NY, USA

problem #16

Mar 122014

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
For about a month now everytime I go to park my car my shifter get stuck and I am unable to put my car in park or take the key out. I went to the dealer ship and I was told I could spend $150 to get it looked at & then spend how every much money it would be to fix it. I don't have that kind of money for that at the moment but now its to the point where I cant even drive my car at all because the shifter always gets stuck and I cant get my key out to park or put it in park drive reverse etc...... ! ! ! I have seen that a couple people are having this problem so its not just my car. But since it gets suck I can be driving down the road and hit the shifter by accident and it will move the car into another position because it doesn't click witch means I can go from driving to it being thrown into park or reverse in seconds. That's going to cause a accident! I need this fixed I drive with kids in my car on a daily basis.......... their is something wrong in the shifter.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #15

Mar 132014

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 34,000 miles

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

A bad smell like rotten eggs, keeps coming out of the ac/C vents and the engine of the car. I changed the air filter and everything but nothing happen the smell does not go away.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #14

Mar 242014

Sonic

  • 44,500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a chime sounded with the illumination of the engine oil pressure warning indicator. The failure also recurred upon starting the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician informed that the oil pressure indicator switch would need to be replaced. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 44,500.

- Altoona, WI, USA

problem #13

Feb 082013

Sonic

  • 14,978 miles
Every cold start the is a grinding and rattle noise that comes from the timing side. I took it to Chevy and they said that cant do anything unless they hear it which I thought was reasonable and the next morning they called and stated my car has no noise even tho this happens every cold start. I also have a loud knocking noise coming from the engine when it is warm or has been driven for more than 20minutes the dealer says its normal but at 21454 the noise is 3 times louder than ever before. I had a check engine light code P0011 intake camshaft position timing -over-advanced (bank-1) which I took in and they fixed it 4days later and it is back same code I called the dealer and they said to bring it in I explained I don't have a ride to work they said I have to figure it out because I have to pay the deposit for a rental I shouldn't even need. The engine also seems to sputter and lose power randomly also the rpms will go up to 2500 sometimes while stopping I have always drive. Manual transmissions I believe I would know when I am pushing the gas! Chevy seems like they don't want to touch my car until my warranty is out I am so disappointed by their actions and this car sad I got 4 of my friends to buy them too in 2013 I just want Chevy to buy back my car or fix all of it! this is my first american 100% brand new car and I feel like it is the biggest mistake I have ever made. The whole we cant just cant look at it unless we see or hear it is kind of bs!

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #12

Sep 302013

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 21,765 miles

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

I brought my car in because there was something wrong with the steering. I asked that an oil change be done and when I picked it up the car had white smoke coming out of the engine and had a strong burning smell. There was a lot of smoke I was only gone 10 minutes from the dealer before I had to bring it back. Brought it back dealer said they smelled burning and sprayed a deodorizer in vents to mask it, but they did not address the smoking that is still happening. Filed compliant with GM requesting a buy back of vehicle. I bought the vehicle the first year it was out, and have also had multiple issues with the front end, air conditioner not to mention that the dealer dropped car off rack and caused damaged.

- Palatine, IL, USA

problem #11

Apr 172013

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
I have a 2012 Chevy Sonic lt automatic with the 1.8 liter. The car started having problems around 45,000 miles and has gotten worse over time.the car on cold start ups has a grinding sound. This grinding most of the time only happens on cold start ups but does at times happens on warm start ups. This sounds like metal against metal and it rattles. This seems to happen until the car is fully started and running. I am getting concerned because it is getting worse and louder.

- Huntington, WV, USA

problem #10

Mar 152012

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
Idles dramatically while the car is at a stop, and the engine stalls very frequently, regardless of temperature or weather conditions. On start-up, or while stopped with the engine running, the idle will become rough and very between 200-3,000 RPM. Also at times, while stopped, the idle will increase from normal, smooth idle up to about 3,000 RPM for approximately one second, then drop back down to 750 RPM (normal idle speed) without touching the accelerator. The automatic shifting from 1st to 3rd gear completely skips around. The car shifts are hard to the point, once you come to a stop it feels like the transmission is going to fall out.

- Lithia, FL, USA

problem #9

Dec 182012

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 9,000 miles
As I was driving down a intersection my car was going 50 miles an hour, then it just shut off. It's a 5 speed and it shut off and then started back up.the car was in 5 th gear at the time it was very scary im glad there was no one directly behind me. I've had problems with this car since day 1 there is other problems with it. But the dealers say its normal. They dont know why it did this. But this car is unsafe and to me its a lemon. I'm tired of feeling like a idiot this car has issues.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #8

May 212012

Sonic

  • 200 miles

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

Vehicle stalls when pulling out from a stop, and/or at low speeds when the clutch is pushed in. Then, it takes three seconds before the car can attempt to be re-started! very dangerous when turning left across a highway or into traffic, especially since there is what seems to be a 'programmed' waiting period of 3 seconds before you can attempt to re-started. I've owned this vehicle (1.4L turbo engine with 6 spd manual transmission) since 05/21/2012, and over 8,000 miles later, it still stalls every time I drive it. The dealerships say, "cannot reproduce. Operating to specifications."

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #7

May 212012

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 200 miles
Idles roughly, idle increases dramatically while the car is at a stop, and the engine stalls very frequently, regardless of temperature or weather conditions. On start-up, or while stopped with the engine running, the idle will become rough and vary between 200-3,000 RPM, but not stall. Also at times, while stopped, the idle will increase from normal, smooth idle up to about 3,000 RPM for approximately one second, then drop back down to 750 RPM (normal idle speed) without touching the accelerator. The engine will also stall at parking lot speeds when I push in the clutch to shift from 2nd to 1st gear. The car also often stalls when pulling out from a stop. A re-start cannot be attempted for approximately 3 seconds. Turn the key, nothing happens. I've owned this vehicle (1.4L turbo engine with 6 spd manual transmission) since 05/21/2012, and over 8,000 miles later, it still idles roughly and stalls every time I drive it. The dealerships say, "cannot reproduce. Operating to specifications."

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #6

Apr 282012

Sonic

  • 1,912 miles
This car when sitting at a idle shakes it don't matter if you start it up in the morning or in the day or night. It acts like it has a misfire when driving like all the cylinders aren't working properly. Taken to dealer twice since I bought it new in March 2012. Has a rough idle everyday, after it warms up and you drive where ever you are going and then sit at a idle it bogs down, shakes the car. And im tired of going through this the dealer says its normal. And that the tech guys say its there number one complaint! im upside down in it so im stuck unless I can maybe file the lemon law.the dealer told me the first time I went that it was the alternator from sitting overnight. Lol really"?" and that the Chevy trucks do it too. Come on....and if the car has 3 or less bats showing on the gas area it runs even crappier like its going to break down right in the street. I have the 5 speed, and its a terrible car!

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #5

Nov 212012

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 166 miles
November 26,2012 we financed a 2012 Chevy Sonic on November 17th. It only had 5 miles on it. Sweet. Right"?" nope by wed November 21st the engine light came on and the car was over heating. It was spilling out coolant fluid everywhere. Since it was the holidays I has to wait till Friday after thanksgiving to get it towed to the dealership where I purchased it. It is Monday November 26th and it is still in the shop. The service tech said they fixed what they thought was the problem, but it didn't fix the problem. So now they say it's something else now. What a drag! they gave me a loaner on Monday and reassured me that there would be no cost to me, and everything would be covered under warranty. Well of course I just got the darn thing.. I'm really disappointed because this is the fourth car I bought from this dealership. Well tomorrow is Tuesday November 27th let's see what happens. I should fight for a different new car!!!!!

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #4

Feb 222012

Sonic 4-cyl

  • miles
Issues began with an intermittent rattle at cold start after car had been sitting about 30mins to an hr, from being driven. No codes showing so went un-repaired, once pinpointed, it was replicated, still no codes, no fix, starting about Aug 2012 after my 1st service car began to shake at idle while stopped in D, started getting worse progressively. Vehicle stalled in middle of intersection while trying to shift itself (auto trans) into 3rd, violent jerk to a stop and immediately picked itself up and jerked forward and moved, with my children in the car. Next stall occurred about 3-4 weeks later, idled so rough and low while in D at a stop light, car bogged down and stalled, started itself right back up. Engine power surging began at this point. While braking or on brake while stopped, engine would power surge thrusting car forward, came very close to hitting several cars while pulling into parking spot from these surges. Had taken vehicle in multiple times between 1st occurrence and this point in Sept. It was duplicated with multiple symptoms at once, including as given from dealer: Hard shaking, misfire, and rattle/knock at cold start. Only code to show was for the misfire, repair: Valve cleaning, not fixed. Rattle became a knocking. Idle meanwhile getting rougher. Took back for knocking, surging, rough idle, stalling. No codes, repair: GM tech assist had camshaft actuators replaced, fixed knocking/rattle at cold start only! idle worse, now loss of engine power intermittently causing vehicle to hardly move, had vehicle back less than 24hrs. Almost had a "T-bone" accident and head on into a pole in same incident due to said loss of power. Asked for replacement (after 7 service repair attempts), request presently in limbo, no offer of replacement thus far! I am severely concerned for my family's safety at this point, clearly defective in itself with no codes showing.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #3

Sep 052012

Sonic

  • miles
Multiple reports of Daewoo Sonics (and Cruze, also sourced from Daewoo though assembled in the United States) equipped with the 1.4L turbocharged engine stalling out and/or accelerating poorly in warm/hot conditions when using 87 octane fuel. These vehicles are unsafe in warm weather when owners use regular, unleaded gasoline, even though the manufacturer does not prohibit low octane fuel from being used. (premium fuel is "recommended" but not required, and the demographic groups that will purchase these cars likely will not wish to spend additional money for premium fuel for economical, subcompact automobiles.) NHTSA needs to investigate these examples of government motors once again endangering the general public.

- Anytown, MN, USA

problem #2

Aug 042012

Sonic 4-cyl

  • 3,070 miles
Stalls easily and frequently when pulling out from a stop and is then difficult to restart, or I must wait about 5 seconds before I can attempt a restart. Uneven idle most of the time. Dealer blames me for the stalling (says I'm not used to the manual transmission, but many are complaining on the online forum www.sonicownersforum.com) most importantly, yesterday (08/04/2012), the fully warmed 1.4L turbo engine in my Sonic rev'd to from idle (750 RPM) to exactly 3,000 RPM then back down to 750 RPM (while 6 spd manual in neutral, clutch fully depressed, right foot firmly on the brake and not touching the accelerator pedal. I had stopped at the end of a driveway and was waiting on traffic so that I could pull out. My right foot never moved from the brake pedal and was in no way touching the accelerator pedal. The idle speed increased to 3,000 RPM all on it's own and back down to idle, much to my shock and amazement. Thankfully, I was fully stopped. At only 3,070 miles and not yet 3 months of ownership, my new 2012 Sonic is beginning to have a mind of it's own.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #1

Jan 282012

Sonic

  • 400 miles
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. The contact stated that the odor would be come uncomfortable after being in the vehicle for a minimum of 45 minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer five times who confirmed the smell but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified and advised that an investigator would be sent to further assess the failure. The failure mileage was 400 and the current mileage was 2,100.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

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