RoadVitals

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest May 3, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 353 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 25 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceEngine
Filed May 3, 2025

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID
11658643
Incident
Mar 15, 2023
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jun 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

NHTSA ID
11526661
Incident
Apr 1, 2023
Mileage
114,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 26, 2022

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 ID
11462354
Incident
Aug 18, 2021
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 9, 2021

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 ID
11439874
Incident
Nov 7, 2021
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 20, 2020

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 ID
11350413
Incident
May 29, 2020
Mileage
680,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 12, 2019

MY CAR KEEPS SHUTTING COMPLETELY OFF EVEN WHILE DRIVING, THE RADIO COME ON AND OFF BY ITSELF AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS I BE DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC

NHTSA ID
11279699
Incident
Aug 6, 2019
Mileage
74,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 6, 2019

THE CAR HAS UNDER 100K MILES AND SEEMS TO BE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINTANCED. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR BEING THE SECOND OWNER. THE CAR HAS ISSUES GETTING UP TO SPEED CAUSING PEOPLE TO TAILGATE ME OR SPEED UP AND GO AROUND ME. YOU CAN ALSO FEEL/HEAR THE TRANSMISSION GOING THROUGH THE GEARS. THE TAKEOFF IS ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. YOU CAN TELL THE ENGINE IS WORKING HARD. THE RPMS DON'T GO ABOVE THE DANGER ZONE BUT THEY DO RISE WHEN SWITCHING THROUGH THE GEARS. IT'S VERY LIKELY TO CAUSE A ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR CANNOT GET OUT OF IT'S OWN WAY.

NHTSA ID
11184507
Incident
Mar 5, 2019
Mileage
77,300 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Nov 24, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 35 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE CONDITION WENT FROM RAIN TO SNOW AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALL TERRAIN TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER HUSBAND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG AND THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG ONLY PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM, A FRACTURED HIP, A FRACTURED PELVIS, AND INTERNAL BLEEDING. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND DIED FROM HIS INJURIES. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A MILD CONCUSSION, KIDNEY FAILURE, AND BURNS FROM THE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE TRANSPORTED BY SEPARATE AMBULANCES FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. LITHIA CHEVROLET OF REDDING (200 E CYPRESS AVE, REDDING, CA 96002, (530) 410-6002) WAS CONTACTED AS TO WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,560.

NHTSA ID
11048271
Incident
Feb 10, 2017
Mileage
85,560 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 15, 2017

THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING, CAUSING THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY NOT TO SHOW UP WHEN THE CAR TURNS ON. IT'S ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REV UP AND DOWN WHILE THE CAR IS IDLE.

NHTSA ID
11023723
Incident
Sep 15, 2017
Mileage
75,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 24, 2017
Crash reported2 injuries reported

MY WIFE AND I W'ER HIT BY A PERSON THAT RAN A RED LIGHT THE CAR WAS TOTTLED OUT WITH MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL WHEN THE SIDE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BUT DIDNT CAUSING MY WHOLE SIDE AND HEAD SMASHING INTO THE SIDE DRIVER DOOR

NHTSA ID
10968412
Incident
Sep 9, 2015
Mileage
60,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 3, 2017
Crash reported

CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN IN DRIVE AND REVERSE CAUSING MY HUSBAND TO HIT A FENCE IN DRIVE AND HITTING A TREE IN REVERSE, HE WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, NO ONE SEEK ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT, CALLED THE POLICE WHEN HE GOT HOME AND MADE A REPORT BUT DO NOT HAVE IT ON HAND.

NHTSA ID
10949266
Incident
Jan 8, 2017
Mileage
50,872 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 10, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

NHTSA ID
10925439
Incident
Nov 7, 2016
Mileage
47,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceExterior lighting
Filed Dec 28, 2015
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A TWO LANE ROAD AT NIGHT, APPLIED BRAKES TO AVOID ANIMAL IN ROAD. CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND ROAD WAS DRY. THERE WAS PLENTY OF TIME TO SLOW TO AVOID ANIMAL SO THIS WAS NOT A PANIC STOP. UPON APPLICATION OF BRAKES, HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. DASH LIGHTS STAYED ON MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF THE VEHICLE. APPLIED BRAKES WITH MORE URGENCY AND ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED. VEHICLE SKIDDED STRAIGHT UNTIL THE RIGHT TIRES MADE CONTACT WITH THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE CAR THEN SPUN COUNTER CLOCKWISE BACK ONTO THE ROADWAY, ACROSS BOTH LANES, AND CAME TO REST ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ONCOMING LANE (APPROXIMATELY ONE AND ONE-HALF REVOLUTIONS). SKID MARKS ON HIGHWAY CONFIRMED THE WHEEL LOCK AND THE SPIN. CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND RE-STARTED AND ALL SYSTEMS WORKED FINE. UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10816630
Incident
Nov 23, 2015
Mileage
37,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 16, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND POWERED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SHIFTED INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10790696
Incident
Nov 9, 2015
Mileage
110,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 20, 2015

FOR 2 MONTHS MY CHECK EMISSIONS LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND GOING OFF. ACCORDING TO MY OWNERS MANUAL THE GAS CAP OR AIR FILTER NEED FIXING. I WENT TO AUTOZONE TO GET A FREE DIAGNOSTICS READING. AT THE END OF AUGUST MY CAR STARTED TO HESITATE , WON'T ACCELERATE AT TAKE OFF. THEN STARTED HEAVY JERKING AT TAKE OFF AND WHEN SITTING STILL. I BOUGHT SOME LIQUID AND CHANGED AIR FILTER, SAME RESULTS. I CALLED CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE CAR CHECKED UNDER MY POWERTRAIN AND MY EMISSIONS WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET HELP SO I COULD GET MY CAR CHECKED NEXT FRIDAY ON THE 23RD. TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT MY CAR. BUT ON THE 16TH OF OCTOBER I'M LEAVING WORK I BACKED OUT OF STALL AND PULLED FORWARD CAR WAS DRAGGING ROUGHLY. I WAS WAITING TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC WHEN CAR STARTED JUTTING FORWARD. I PRESS ON THE GAS WENT FORWARD ABOUT 5 TO 8 FEET AND THEN NOTHING. I WAS STUCK INMID TRAFFIC. THE REVERSE WORKED SO I WAS ABLE TO ROLL OUT HARMS WAY.

NHTSA ID
10783756
Incident
Oct 16, 2015
Mileage
40,021 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSuspension
Filed Jul 23, 2015

1. CAR LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING/HESITATION - SOMETIMES ALMOST FEELING LIKE THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN. IT'S RANDOM BUT HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. CAR WAS REPAIRED ONCE ALREADY FOR THIS, WAS BETTER FOR ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AND NOW IS DOING IT AGAIN. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN MERGING ONTO HIGHWAYS OR MAKING RIGHT TURNS ON RED OR SWITCHING LANES. 2. WIPER FLUID WAS NOT WORKING, RECALL ISSUE, BUT NOT ON MY CAR. REPAIRED ONCE AND NOW NOT WORKING AGAIN! 3. SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEREO CHANGING STATIONS, TURNING ITSELF ON AND OFF, VERY LOUD SCREECHING SOUNDS OCCASIONALLY, REPAIRED WITH AN UPDATE BUT STILL HAPPENING. 4. VERY STRANGE SOUNDS COMING FROM SUSPENSION, IT STARTED WHEN BACKING UP I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM 2 TIMES, HOWEVER, NOW IT'S HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING, IN REVERSE AND IT'S GETTING WORSE! 5. STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT ON A WINDY DAY WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY. VERY HARD TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE. 6. CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN WITH FOOT ON THE BREAK. 7. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/INTERIOR LIGHTS ALL DIMMING WHEN WIPERS ARE TURNED ON. SERVICE TOLD ME THE WIPER MOTOR IS A BIG DRAIN ON A SMALL ENGINE? NOW MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I STILL HAVE ALL THESE ISSUES!! I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS SAFE OR WELL BUILT. IT TOOK ME OVER 10 YEARS TO GET TO A POINT WHERE I COULD AFFORD A NEW HELLO, WENT WITH CHEVROLET TO KEEP IT "AMERICAN". I FEEL LIKE I MADE A HUGE MISTAKE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE....UPDATED 10/20/15 *BF UPDATED 12/06/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10735950
Incident
Jul 23, 2015
Mileage
38,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 2, 2015

GEAR SHIFTER BUTTON GETS STUCK, NOT ALLOWING RELEASING KEY FROM IGNITION. DRIVER HAS TO HAVE LUBRICANT ON HAND AT ALL TIMES, TO GET SHIFTER BUTTON UNSTUCK. HOWEVER LATELY IT IS GETTING SOMEWHAT HARDER TO GET IT TO WORK

NHTSA ID
10723013
Incident
Jan 14, 2015
Mileage
45,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 10, 2015

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). *TR

NHTSA ID
10682404
Incident
Jan 1, 2012
Mileage
25,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Jan 19, 2015

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, BUT THE LATEST IS THE ENGINE LIGHT, REDUCED POWER LIGHT, AND THE GAS CAP. WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT, AND REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS GOING 45 MPH. TOOK THE CAR TO [XXX], AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ON THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS STILL COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON FIVE DAYS LATER, BUT THIS TIME I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE TUNNEL. I BARELY MADE IT OUT WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. LASTLY, I WENT TO THE GAS STATION AND COULDN'T GET THE GAS CAP OFF. I HAD TO USE A WRENCH TO GET THE GAS CAP OFF. BOUGHT ANOTHER GAS CAP AND IT DID THE SAME THING. I ONLY HAVE 40,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10676382
Incident
Dec 22, 2014
Mileage
39,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 10, 2014

MY 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC HAS GOTTEN ITS SECOND FLAT TIRE FROM ALIGNMENT ISSUES, AND IS ABOUT TO NEED A THIRD TIRE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS 26000 MILES WITH A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH, OTHER THEN MAJOR STEERING ISSUES. THE TIRES COMPLETELY RUN BALD ON THE OUTER EDGE OF THE TIRE, AND A SHAKING IS EXPERIENCED AT ALL SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS HAPPENING BECAUSE I AM NOT DOING AN ALIGNMENT EVERY 6500 TO 7500 MILES; WHICH I FIND TO BE RIDICULOUS. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF HAVING TO ALIGN A CAR THAT FREQUENTLY. SO THERE VERDICT THIS FAR IS I HAVE TO BY ALL NEW TIRES AND GET AN ALIGNMENT DONE ON MY CAR WITH ONLY 26,000 MILES. I CONTACTED CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS OUT OF FRUSTRATION CAUSED FROM THE DEALER SHIP WRITING ME OFF TWICE, AND SAYING ITS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CAR. UNFORTUNATELY CORPORATE WAS UNWILLING TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION BECAUSE OF THE SAME REASON, IT IS CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR. I DON'T KNOW HOW A CAR WITH SUCH LOW MILES COULD ALREADY HAVE SUCH A HORRIBLE ALIGNMENT, REQUIRING THREE TIRES TO BE CHANGED. I HAVE DROVE CHEVY'S MY WHOLE LIFE AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING COMPARABLE TO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10663465
Incident
Nov 3, 2014
Mileage
26,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Nov 18, 2014

MY CAR WAS LOSING SPEED EVEN UPON PRESSING THE GAS, IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THE RPM'S WENT ALL THE WAY TO 7 AND THEN I LET OFF THE GAS AND THEY WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN. THEN IT FINALLY STARTED REGAIN SPEED. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE CODE WAS PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM , I AM VERY FURIOUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT ME AND MY CHILDREN RIDE IN THIS CAR DAILY AND THIS HAPPENED I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES BUT I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE A CALL IN THIS MATTER BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED THE TOLL FREE NUMBER TWICE AND THEY ARE GIVING ME NO INFORMATION AS FAR AS WHO I CAN REACH OUT TO GET THIS FIXED BEFORE THERE IS SOMETHING BAD TO HAPPEN. I DON'T PAY FOR SOMETHING TO PUT MINE AND MY CHILDREN'S LIFE IN DANGER. WEATHER OR NOT THIS IS A RECALL IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT . THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10658949
Incident
Nov 16, 2014
Mileage
63,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT TO THE CORRECT GEAR CAUSING THE ENGINE RPM TO SUDDENLY INCREASE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN). HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID
10626273
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Mileage
20,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSuspension
Filed Aug 8, 2014

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10620845
Incident
Aug 5, 2014
Mileage
1,200 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Aug 2, 2014

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 7% GRADE GOING DOWN HILL AT 50 MILES AN HOUR MY CAR SHUT OFF, STEERING LOCKED AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK THE ONLY THING I COULD USE WAS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IF I WASN'T CALM AND USED MY HEAD ME AND MY SON WOULD HAVE DIED. MY CAR NOW IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND SHAKING AFTER IT WARMS UP. MY SHIFTER GETS STUCK AND I CANT PARK OR TAKE MY KEY OUT. EVERYTHING IN THIS CAR IS AN ALARM FOR DANGER OR DEATH. I'VE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DON'T RETURN MY CALLS. I FINALLY GOT A HOLD OF THEM AND THEY SAID I CAN BRING IT IN BUT ITS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY FOR REPAIRS LIKE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10618300
Incident
Jul 29, 2014
Mileage
51,000 mi
Driver assistanceExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 10, 2013

THIS CAR HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND IT IS GETTING READY TO GO IN FOR THE 5TH TIME. EACH TIME SO FAR I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME THING...."IT DOESN'T THROW ANY CODES AND WE CAN'T GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE SO THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE BUT JUST KEEP DRIVING IT AND BRING IT BACK IF IT KEEPS HAPPENING"....{WHATEVER DID MECHANICS DO BACK IN THE DAY BEFORE CARS HAD COMPUTERS?} - ANYWAY, THE TRANSMISSION IS AUTOMATIC AND ACTS LIKE IT IS GRABBING AND DOESN'T WANT TO SHIFT UP THROUGH THE GEARS SO IT FEELS LIKE HARD SHIFTING (STARTED BEFORE IT EVEN HAD 10,000 MILES ON IT) - IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME, BUT OFTEN ENOUGH THAT IT IS A PROBLEM THAT I WORRY ABOUT (IT'S EVEN DONE IT WHEN ON CRUISE CONTROL A COUPLE OF TIMES). NOW, AT LESS THAN 30,000 MILES THE CAR IS IDLING ROUGH AND WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES IT MAKES A NOISE IN THE SHIFTER? THE AUTOLIGHTS ADJUST THEMSELVES EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO CHANGE IN LIGHTING OUTDOORS (PITCH BLACK NIGHT AND THE LIGHTS WILL DIM DOWN FOR NO REASON AT 45MPH RUNNING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND, ETC.) AND THE RADIO ADJUSTS ITS VOLUME THE SAME WAY AND IT EVEN TURNS ITSELF OFF RANDOMLY. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND STABILITY TRAC LIGHTS COME ON SOMETIMES, STAY ON FOR AWHILE AND THEN GO OFF. NOW THAT IT'S GETTING HOT AND I'M RUNNING THE AC, IT IS ACTING UP ALSO - BLOWING FULL BLAST THEN DROPPING DOWN, THEN BACK UP AGAIN.... - DEALER INSISTS, NO CODES THROWN, WON'T REPLICATE PROBLEM WHEN THEY HAVE IT, THEREFORE NO PROBLEM EXISTS - THIS CAR HAS PROBLEMS - I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND A SONIC TO ANYONE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE TRANSMISSIONS AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES IN THESE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10516109
Incident
Oct 24, 2012
Mileage
10,357 mi

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