2012 Chevrolet Sonic: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic: 7 recalls, 354 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #11V599000 · 2011 · 4,296 vehicles
What's wrong: On some of these vehicles, the front brake inner or outer pad May be missing.
Why it matters: A missing pad could result in reduced brake system performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brakes for a missing inner or outer pad. If a brake pad is missing, dealers will install new inner and outer pads, a new brake caliper, and a new rotor. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on…
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #12V408000 · 2012 · 44,668 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A lack of washer fluid could impede the driver's view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will secure the windshield washer hose to prevent separation, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012.
Airbags Vehicle recall #12V522000 · 2012 · 2,949 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which May intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: General motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013.
Airbags Vehicle recall #13V023000 · 2013 · 4,167 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which May intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013.
Airbags Vehicle recall #14V300000 · 2014 · 31,520 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which May intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #14V315000 · 2014 · 21,567 vehicles
What's wrong: 8l four cylinder engine. In the affected vehicles, the transmission turbine shaft May fracture.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission turbine shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2014.
Equipment Vehicle recall #14V417000 · 2014 · 2,990 vehicles
What's wrong: In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Why it matters: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree celsius. The recall began in August 2014.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 18 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (154): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (105), warning light on (21), stalls / loses power (20).
- Engine (83): the most common themes are warning light on (27), stalls / loses power (25).
- Electrical (59): the most common themes are electrical failure (22), stalls / loses power (22).
- Other / unknown (46): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (8), electrical failure (4).
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic has 354 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 10 Sonic model years for complaints (3.7× the average Sonic year). Complaints peaked in 2015 (60 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 45,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (1 complaints, 0 recalls), 2013 (217 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | Regular |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 36 | 30 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 34 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Sonic problems?
Owners have filed 354 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (154), engine (83), electrical (59).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic get?
EPA ratings run up to 32 mpg combined (1.4 L, Manual 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.