What 353 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that on several occasions, while coming to a stop, the vehicle unexpectedly remained in second gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that several attempts were needed for the vehicle to shift into another gear. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

NHTSA ODI 11720417

Transmission shaft malfunction. Doesn't shift out of 1st gear. Transmission does not engage into gear.

NHTSA ODI 11715161

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.

NHTSA ODI 11654601

While driving on the highway late at night, at approximately 60 mph my 2012 Sonic began to lose power and slowed to a dangerously low speed when there was nowhere for me to pull over! I literally had to coast to a spot that I could barely squeeze off the road! Then would not shift into any workable gear but 1st and after that just revved up loudly. Long story short…had to be towed 35 miles home. Then towed to a reputable garage where they concluded the transmission was shot at about 90,000 miles. Would be around $3800. to rebuild. Come to find out these cars are known for this problem! And yet somehow I’m being told by GM that it’s not included in the Turbine Shaft Fracture Recall for that car’s year/make/model!! WHY?! Needless to say….the car will be junked!

NHTSA ODI 11575685

01.24.2023 Purchased Chevy Sonic 2012 three weeks ago (12.27.22) w odometer at 33,688 and manuf. date of 03/2012. It has multiple recalls, inc transmission, that GM has reported resolved. I have had to schedule a transmission rebuild for $3,200.00 in February. After pressing on gas pedal, the vehicle hesitates as though it is going to stall, then lurches forward. On open road it will buck. When slowing down to stop or make turns, it bucks and lurches. The problems duplicate those stated in almost all of the complaints reported on this site. If GM has reported this vehicle as properly repaired, then I am stuck. Also, the questionable low mileage of a ten year old vehicle and dates of the recalls make me wonder about where and when or if all the recalls were truly resolved. There is one accident reported on this vehicle, Sept. 2022; was the accident caused by the same powertrain related problems?

NHTSA ODI 11503393

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. IT FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. YES, IT WAS CONFIRMED BY A DEALER. IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY THE CHEVY DEALER. NO, THERE WERE NOT ANY WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11500364

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while coming off the freeway at approximately 30-35 MPH, the vehicle began jerking. The engine revved up as if it intended to accelerate however, the vehicle would then jerk. The contact was able to coast to the destination driving approximately 5-10 mph. The check engine warning light illuminated with a trouble code regarding the engine. The contact who is a certified mechanic determined that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin NHTSA ID: 14V315000 (Power Train). The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where the vehicle was waiting to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,410.

NHTSA ODI 11486952

My vehicle will not shift out of 1st or 2nd gear. This appears to be part of a recall I just found out about, however my vin # states its not part of the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11485135

A few months after this car was purchased, we received the notice regarding recall 14234 for our 2012 Chevy Sonic. However, when we brought it to the dealership, they stated that our vehicle didn't fall under the recall. I told them we were experiencing shaking while shifting and it seemed like the exact same issue. Now about 1 year later with less than 100,000 miles, the car will not shift properly into 3rd gear. The auto repair shop informed us that we need to get a new transmission among many other related repairs. We seem to have the exact same issue as reported in the recall; however, we continue to be informed that our vehicle does not fall under the umbrella of the recall. After doing a number of searches it seems that this is a common story. All these 2012 Chevy Sonics have the same issue yet do not fall under the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11484943

I was experiencing issues with the transmission on my vehicle. I lost control and when it stop abruptly in a ditch after hitting a fallen limb of a tree the airbags did not deploy. Since this incident I have extreme pain in neck, dizziness, and weakness in both my arms. My vehicle is not listed as part of the recalls and the violent stop of my vehicle upon hitting the object was severe enough to snap both tierod ends yet airbags did not deploy. I have significant injuries as a result and a wrecked car that I feel was hard to control due to the problematic acceleration of transmission

NHTSA ODI 11478078

The gear shift in the car started sticking about 3 years ago but it would still shift so I wasn't too concerned. Since then it's gotten gradually worse until tonight where it took me 5 minutes to put it into park. I couldn't released the key or get it out of reverse and it was terrifying. Mine and others safety was put at risk because my car not going into park means it can roll anywhere and cause an accident. I haven't taken it to a dealer to get checked and it hasn't been inspected by anyone else. There never have been any warnings from the car that there is an issue.

NHTSA ODI 11465860

I have a 2012 Chevy Sonic giving a P2138 error code. I have replaced the Throttle Position Sensor and the Accelerator Pedal Sensor and the problem is not going away. I have spent over $700 on this repair and they cannot fix it. It is a known problem with this vehicle but GM is there is no recall for this issue. I wish something could be done. The acceleration loses power and drops to is unable to go above 45 MPH.

NHTSA ODI 11462354

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 - 60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The failure nearly caused a collision. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V315000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and Della Chevrolet of Plattsburgh (5101 U.S. Ave, Plattsburgh, NY 12901). Both dealers informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11442413

Driving 2012 Chevrolet Sonic approximately 50mph, car down shifted on its own to 20mph nearly getting rear ended. Tried driving in auto transmission and manual mode, transmission stuck in 3rd gear. Had to drive 11 miles on busy road at 20mph, speed limit is 50mph. Car is at dealer, has turbine shaft break and wave plate broken. Because car has 1-2012 on sticker, no warranty is available. My option is $4800 to replace transmission or junk it. Car only has 93 thousand miles and was always mainted very well, lucky there was no injuries.

NHTSA ODI 11439874

DURING STOP-AND-GO CITY TRAFFIC, THE CAR WILL STRUGGLE TO CHANGE GEARS, AND HAS (BETWEEN 5-10 TIMES) "STOPPED RESPONDING," MEANING THAT THE CAR IS UNRESPONSIVE TO PRESSING THE BRAKE OR GAS, ALTHOUGH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUES TO RUN. THE ONLY SOLUTION WE HAVE FOUND TO THIS IS PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, TURNING IT OFF, AND TURNING IT BACK ON AGAIN, BUT THIS IS VERY SCARY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THIS HAPPENED MOST RECENTLY ON 5/8/21 BUT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI 11416139

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT VAN BUICK GMC (8585 E. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BLVD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260) FOR A SERPENTINE AND TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE AND DRIVE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO FIRST GEAR INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS TRANSMISSION RELATED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER UNREPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. *DT

NHTSA ODI 11407763

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DOWNSHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR AS THE D ON THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR BEGAN TO FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. DUE TO THE FAILURE, HIS DAUGHTER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE CONTACT. UPON ARRIVING AT THE SCENE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS HOME IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT CALLED AUTONATION CHEVROLET WEST AMARILLO (7300 I-40, AMARILLO, TX 79106) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11386510

FIRST PROBLEM STARTED WHEN RADIO REMAINED ON AFTER KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION. RADIO WOULD TURN ON AND OFF WHEN CAR WAS OFF AND DRAINED NEWLY REPLACED BATTERY. ADVISED TO REMOVE FUSE AS TEMPORARY FIX. CAR WAS ALSO LOSING POWER WHEN HIGHWAY DRIVING (UP TO 70 MPH). I DON'T SPEED, BUT CAR STRUGGLED TO GO ABOVE 70 MPH. THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, HAD RADIATOR CHECKED, OIL CHANGED, FLUIDS ADDED AT BEGINNING OF OCTOBER. THREE WEEKS LATER ON CITY STREET, SLOWING FOR TRAFFIC WHEN CAR LOST POWER. WHEN TRAFFIC STARTED MOVING, CAR CONTINUED TO SLOW TO COMPLETE STOP IN THE STREET DESPITE STEPPING ON GAS. WAITED 25 MINUTES FOR TOW, BUT WHEN TOW DRIVER CAME, CAR WAS ABLE TO START AND MOVE. LESS THAN AN HOUR LATER, THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN AND CAR WAS TOWED. AT MECHANIC, COMPUTER CODES INDICATED LOW/NO TRANSMISSION FLUID (EVEN THOUGH FLUID WAS ADDED AT OIL CHANGE ONLY THREE WEEKS PRIOR). NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKS. MECHANIC ADDED FLUID AND WENT FOR RIDE ON SUBURBAN BACK ROAD, CAR LOST POWER AFTER 10 MINUTES. HE HAD TO WAIT APPROX 20 MINUTES FOR CAR TO MOVE AGAIN. HE DRAINED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FOUND METALLIC BITS, AND SAYS TRANSMISSION WOULD LIKELY NEED REPLACING. CAR HAS FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE '54K MILES' AND HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. ALSO CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED BECAUSE KEY WAS STUCK IN IGNITION.

NHTSA ODI 11373556

I OWNED MY 2012 CHEVY SONIC LT FOR EXACTLY 8 YEARS, WITH ONLY 81.3K MILES ON IT. AFTER ABOUT 2016, IRONICALLY, WHEN IT WAS PAID OFF, IT STARTED TO 'NICKEL & DIME' ME; WITH EVERYTHING FROM ELECTRICAL ISSUES, TO BATTERY REPLACEMENT SEVERAL TIMES, IT SEEMED I WAS CONSTANTLY TAKING IT TO THE SHOP. I WAS ALWAYS VERY TIMELY WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE BUT REGARDLESS, UNBEKNOWNST TO ME, THE 2012 MODELS OF THE SONIC HAVE TRANSMISSION/POWER TRAIN ISSUES THAT THE MANUFACTURER MADE SURE WERE ADDRESSED IN THE 2013 MODELS BUT FAILED TO RECALL OR PAY FOR THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION FOR THE 2012 MODELS. I HAD NO INDICATION MY TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL ON ME SO SUDDENLY. ON SEPT. 14TH, 2020, I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AND WHEN I STARTED DOWN MY STREET, I NOTICED MY CAR WASN'T ACCELERATING PROPERLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION AT FIRST, BUT IT CONTINUED GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE STARTED AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER - MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT THAT TIME ALSO - AND THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE END. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO MY AUTO SHOP AND THEY WROTE ME A QUOTE FOR $5200 TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY REPLACED. IT WAS THEN THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE 2012 SONIC FAULTY POWER TRAIN ISSUES. I THINK IT'S COMPLETELY UNETHICAL TO NOT ADDRESS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT COULD'VE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY THE COMPANY SINCE IT WAS THE FIRST YEAR THE CAR WAS SOLD, IT SHOULD BE THEIR DUTY. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO SELL THE CAR FOR PARTS AS IT WASN'T WORTH THE RESALE VALUE WITH SUCH A MAJOR ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11363996

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND NOW IT WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE AND WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST. ENGINE REVS BUT CAR DOESN'T MOVE

NHTSA ODI 11354336

I PURCHASED A CAR FROM ROYAL KIA ON MAY 29TH A WEEK LATER I FELT A POOL ON THE GAS PEDAL TOOK IT IN TO ROYAL KIA AND HE SAID IT WAS JUST A SHIFTING GEARS SECOND WEEK ALMOST DIED ON ME WHILE DRIVING IT WAS BETWEEN 2:00 AND 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON IT KIND OF FELT LIKE IF IT WAS OVERHEATED AND EVERY TIME I CAME TO A STOP AND TRY TO GO IT ALMOST DIED TOOK IT BACK INTO ROYAL KIA THEY HAVE BEEN GIVING ME SUCH A HARD TIME I DON'T FEEL IT'S SAFE FOR ME I'VE TRIED TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT GIVE ME GIVING ME MY MONEY BACK SO I CAN PURCHASE SOMETHING ELSE IT'S SAFER I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THIS CAR THE GUY FROM ROYAL KIA THE SALESPERSON WANTED TO TAKE IT TO GREEN VALLEY AND TO WORK ON IT AT HIS HOUSE I REFUSE TO LET HIM DO THAT UNTIL THE MANAGER UMBERTO CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR MECHANICS LOOK AT IT BUT HE WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC I JUST DIDN'T TRUST THEM I I'VE BEEN AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR OF GETTING STRANDED SOMEWHERE THIS WEEK ON MONDAY THEY FINALLY GAVE ME A RENTAL I GOT THINGS DONE IN THESE PAST FEW DAYS AND I HAVE WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR

NHTSA ODI 11350413

CAR HAS 52,000 MILES, AND THE TRANSMISSION BLEW.

NHTSA ODI 11341912

AT 94000 MILES THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING PERIOD. IT WOULD START AND THEN GO NOWHERE NOT FORWARDS BACKWARDS NOTHING. THANK THE LORD I WAS PARKED AT MY HOUSE AND IT WAS A SUDDEN OCCURRENCE. I ONLY FINANCED THIS CAR IN THE END OF FEBRUARY AT 89300 MILES FROM CARMAX AND STILL OWE MONEY FOR IT. THAT IS INSANE.

NHTSA ODI 11337821

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION CEASED IN 2ND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. DON BROWN LOCATED AT 2244 S. KINGS HIGHWAY BLVD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63110, AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE STATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. *BF *AS *JS

NHTSA ODI 11337171

2012 CHEVY SONIC ONLY HAS 39K MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS KICKING IN REVERSE AND IN DRIVE .WHILE COMING OUT OF PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327820