Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. 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. 59 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.
The 25 most recent of 59, in the owner's own words
Reviving the p2138 code for throttle/accelerator sensor. Still getting code after replacing 3 accelerator peddles. Possible manufacture issue with wiring that water gets into connectors shorting out that system
We have had to deal with severe overheating issues and failing parts our entire ownership of this vehicle, both of which then cause other parts to fail, as the parts are so poorly made and heat sensitive. We have replaced the turbocharger (twice), intake manifold + valve cover (twice), catalytic converter, the radiator (THREE TIMES), the cooling fan (twice), the MAF sensor (twice), and much more. All of this has been done over the course of 18months. This has easily been the most expensive car we have ever owned due to the constant repairs, all of which has been because of Failing Parts and overheating.
Purchased 2012 Chevy Sonic for my son so that he can drive around as he is a student driver. Purchased on July 27th and pickup on the 29th on 30th Morning driving the car on the highway the car stopped while in drive mode and luckily no accident. reached out to the dealer i towed the car to dealership. First they told me is ready nothing wrong and said there is a problem with the key they didn't program it i picked up the car on august 2nd and while driving 5 miles it was doing stalled on the Highway near Natick Mall the Natick police came and tried to move the car to safe spot. since 12 day the car is with them on 10 August they told me that they are taking to Chevy dealership on the 11th and received a call from Dealership on 14th that they will do diagnosis today and i just got of the phone with the service manager she they the body control module need to be replaced and they spoke with USA motor sport salesman [XXX] He denied to fix and said he will bring old Body Control module from used car and will do reprogram i called the owner who is the ruddiest person in the World he started abusing and using false Language i am going to reach out to Attorney General Office and complain. he is saying i cannot call him when the car is ready he will call i need to report this to higher Authorities THE CAR IS STALLED WHIILE DRIVING INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
After original P0011 engine code dealer bought from replaced VVT actuators, oil control solenoid, VCG, timing belt, water pump, antifreeze, idler and tensioner on 10/27 -11/21. Vehicle ran for one week and all thru Dec 2021 intermittently kept running rough and stalling and throwing P0011 code Camsgaft Position Sensor intake and P0301 cylinder 1 misfire. Smelled burning oil too. Replaced all separate throughout month -Camshaft position sensor intake, changed oil, spark plugs and now the ignition coil. Each time ran one day and code P0011 kept coming back. Running rough, poor gas mileage and stalls. Have extended warranty going back to dealer bought from.
Vehicle keeps throwing P0011 codes with engine running rough and stalling when moving from stopped or slowing down
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. DESPITE THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE POSSESSION OF THE MECHANIC. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.
RADIO IS NOT WORKING. THEREFORE, I AM UNABLE TO HEAR ANY ALARMS (DOOR, BLINKER). I AM ALSO UNABLE TO USE HAND FREE CALLING OR ON STAR. ALSO, THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY ATTEMPT TO START IF THE KEY IS LEFT IN THE IGNITION.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON CHRISTMAS EVE 2018 AND DRAINED BATTERY. RADIO WOULD TURN OFF BUT TURN BACK ON IT'S SELF. CAUSES BATTERY REPLACEMENT. TO TO GM THEY TOOK FUSE 15 OUT NOW HAVE NO SPEAKERS ONSTAR RADIO INCOMING CALLS CRASH RESPONSE
CHECKED CAR WHILE STATIONED, WHEN RUNNING ALWAYS NEEDS MORE COOLING MAYBE ELECTRICAL BURNOUT OF A PART THAT CONNECTS TO THE RADIATOR FAN. WHEN PUT THE DIAGNOSE CODE, NONE IS GIVEN, AND TEMPERATURE GOES UP TO 225, ITS A HAZARD IF A PERSON DOES NOT KNOW THAT FAN IS NOT WORKING, PUTTING REFRIGERANT ALL THE TIME. READ THAT THERE IS A NEW RE-DESIGN COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY.
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
THE SHIFT LEVER BUTTON WILL NOT RELEASE WHEN IN PARK, SO THE VEHICLE DOESNT NOT READ THAT ITS FIRMLY IN PARK; THE KEY WONT RELEASE AND I CANNOT TURN OFF THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE BUTTON UNJAMS ITSELF OR I LUBRICATE IT TO DO SO. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FREQUENTLY. THE ONLY FIX IS REPLACING THE ENTIRE SHIFT LEVER, WHICH IS UPWARDS OF $300
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, THE CAR LOOSES POWER AND BEGAN TO STALL. I'VE WENT TO TWO CHEVY DEALERSHIPS AND TWO REPAIR AND NO ONE IS ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT'S THE PROBLEM
HORN FAILURE. SOUNDED MY HORN AT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE HORN CONTINUED TO SOUND EVEN AFTER I TOOK MY HAD OFF OF IT. THIS CONTINUED ON FOR ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES, INCLUDING TURNING CAR ON AND OFF, UNTIL THE POINT THE HORN COMPLETELY DIED ON IT. HORN HAS INTERMITTENTLY WORKED ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY ON I-55 SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AVE AND PULASKI ROAD IN CHICAGO. THIS IS A MAJOR FAILURE AS IT IS A SMALL CAR AND LARGER VEHICLES (SUVS/SEMI-TRUCKS/ETC.) DO NOT ALWAYS SEE ME. MAKES VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE WITH KEY IN IGNITION AND ALSO USING THE FACTORY INSTALLED WIRELESS REMOTE STARTER WHILE CAR WAS STATIONARY HOWEVER THE CAR WOULD NOT START INITIALLY. AFTER ANOTHER ATTEMPT OR TWO THE CAR DID START. ALSO, ON OCCASION AFTER CAR DOES FINALLY START, IT IMMEDIATELY TURNS BACK OFF. HAD CAR BATTERY TESTED WHICH THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG HOWEVER WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IDLE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED OFF WITH NO HUMAN INTERACTION, THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO START ITSELF 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. HE RECOMMENDED TAKING CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND HAVING THEM REPROGRAM AND INSPECT THE REMOTE STARTER CONNECTION/PROGRAMMING. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AS A NOTIFICATION AND THE ISSUE CONTINUES AFTER MUTIPLE DAYS OF REPEAT FAILED ATTEMPTS TO START WHETHER FROM ACTUAL KEY OR WIRELESS REMOTE START ATTEMPTS. WHETHER VEHICLE WAS LEFT INSIDE GARAGE OR OUTSIDE THE ISSUE IS STILL THE SAME, REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE.
WE HAVE 11000 MILES ON THE CAR SO WE'VE NOT EXPERIENCE MANY OF THE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS MANY HAVE, BUT OURS IS NONE LESS DANGEROUS. THE RADIO STARTED COMING ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. YOU CUT IT OFF WHEN YOU GET OUT OF CAR, THE RADIO COMES BACK ON .TURN IT OFF AND IT COMES BACK ON AND OVERNIGHT THE BATTERY GOES DEAD. STUMBLED ON THE DEAD BATTERY ISSUE AFTER I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN, THE LAST MECHANIC DIED AT THE LOCAL CHEVY PLACE.THEY SAID THEY HAVE ONE SOLUTION,REPLACE THE RADIO. THEY HAVE NO BULLETONS FROM THE FACTORY ON IT SO JUST UNDO THE AUDIO FUSE TO SAVE THE BATTERY, SO WE DID AND IT DID SAVE THE BATTERY BUT NO SOUNDS IN THE CAR NOW.AT ALL. WITH JUST 11,000 MILES WE'VE NOT YET EXPERIENCED THE HORROR STORIES ABOUT THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSIONS BUT HAVE NOTICED, EVEN WITH LOW MILEAGE, I NEED TO ADD SOME OIL. GM CAN'T AND HAS NO DESIRE TO FIX CHEVY PROBLEMS. I THINK THIS HAS ADDED TREMENDOUSLY TO PEOPLE STOP BUYING THEIR SEDANS AND SMALL TRUCKS. IT'S NOT THERE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FAULT. IT'S A FAULTY DESIGNS AND ENGINEERING. I'VE HAD 4 UNFIXABLE MAJOR ENGINEERING PROBLEMS IN THE PAST 20 YEARS WITH THEIR VEHICLES AND THIS IS THE LAST CHEVY I'LL EVER BUY.THEY NEED TO BLAME THEIR SALES PROBLEMS ALL ON THEIR PRODUCT DESIGNS. IT'S NOT A DEALER OR SERVICE DEPARTMENT ISSUE. IT'S THE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING OF THESE DANG CARS THEY BUILD. SOME TIMES IT'S A DOG IN YOUR OWN KENNEL THAT BITES YOU. IT'S A ENGINEER IN THEIR OWN KENNEL THAT IS NOT THE SHARPEST PENCIL IN THE BOX THEY'RE HIRING TO DESIGN SYSTEMS AND ENGINEERING THEIR SYSTEMS. THEY HAVE IDLING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR COLORADO TRUCKS AND STICKING THIS 4 CYCLINDER 2.7 CU.IN MOTOR IN THEIR BIG TRUCKS, WHICH ALREADY HAS COOLING SYSTEMS DESIGN PROBLEMS, BORDERS ON LUNACY. I'M DONE WITH CHEVY.
FIRST ISSUE WAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES (BAD LIGHTS, UNFUNCTIONING CONTROLS, AC ADAPTER WOULD NOT GIVE POWER, OUTSIDE LIGHTBULBS DO NOT LAST, HEADLAMP CONTROLS FELL APART, MIRROR CONRTROLS FELL OFF, VENT CONTROLS FELL APART. WHEN ELECTRIC WINDOW CONTROL STOPPS WORKING AND HISSES AND SMOKES WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED ON. I ALSO HAVE BEEN SHOCKED PAINFULLY WHEN TRYING TO GET THE AC ADAPTER TO WORK. NEXT CAME REPAIR OF THE IGNITION SWITCH.. I COULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE MY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ON. IN AUGUST 2017, CAR HAD ENGINE MISFIRE, WHICH COST ME REPAIR ON THE FUEL PUMP. A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT, THE BATTERY DIED AND I REPLACED IT. ONE WEEK LATER,, IT STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. THEN A FEW HOURS LATER, ELECTRIC WAS ON AND OFF BUT POWER TO VECHICLE STOPPED.. THIS ENDED UP BEING THE SERP. MAIN BELT. NEXT CAME THE IGNITION SWITCH. (NOVEMBWR 2017) EARLY 2018.. AC ADAPTER STOPPED WORKING AGAIN, AND IT WAS REPLACED. A C STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR SPRING 2018, AND WITHIN WEEKS, THE WINDOW CONTROL FAILING AGAIN, I HAVE HAD HEAT STROKE TWICE. WINDOW CONTROL UNIT SMOKES AND HISSES WHEN I TURN ON ENGINE. WINDOW ALSO CRACKED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH. PLASTIC VENTS CRACKED OUTSIDE THERM FELL OFF & PLASTIC UNDERCARRIAGE COVER RIPPED B4 AIRCOND, FOLLOWED BY THE FAN. WHEN I BROUGHT CAR IN FOR AIRC, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKE PADS AND THE RADIATOR FAN AND COMPRESSOR.. THERE IS NO THERM FOR ENGINE. FIXED ONLY BRAKES. CAR THEN BEGAN TO OVERHEAT WHILE IN TRAFFIC. REPLACED RADIATOR FAN 2 WEEKS LATER. . STILL NEED NEW AC COMPRESSOR. WINDOW CONTROL BEGAN TO FAIL AGAIN NEXT. FIRST TIME WINDOW CONROL FAILED, BATTERY DIED SAME NIGHT, AND I HAD TO GET SERP. BELT AND NEW BATTERY. NEW BATTERY HAS ALREADY HAD TO BE JUMPED 3 TIMES, AND SEEMS AS THOUGH ENGINE MISFIRE IS BEGINNING AGAIN. PROBLEMS GOING UPHILL TODAY.. SLOW ACCELLERATION, UNSTEADY FUEL FLOW.
WITH THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION THE CAR TRIES TO CRANK ITSELF BUT WON'T ACTUALLY START OR STAY RUNNING. MY LIGHTS, RADIO ETC HAVE TURNED THEMSELVES ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON. THE CAR HAS NEVER TRIED TO CRANK WHILE DRIVING BUT THE RADIO WHILE DRIVING WILL SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. NO RADIO LIGHTS WON'T DISPLAY TIME OR ANYTHING. NOW I AM TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED, FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW I'M BACK TO THE SAME PROBLEM. UNWANTED CRANKING OF THE STARTER. THE KEY DINGING WHILE PLACED INSIDE THE IGNITION IS OBSOLETE UNLESS I WIGGLE THE KEY AROUND. SOUNDS LIKE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. CAR HAS BEEN STATIONARY AND IN PARK WHILE TRYING TO CRANK ITSELF. NEVER IN NEUTRAL OR MOVING. CAR IS A 2012 CHEVY SONIC. 1.8L ECOTECH MOTOR.
THE LIGHT MY ENGINE SHOWS AND IT ALWAYS SMELL LABOR KE OIL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, THE SHIFTER FRACTURED WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER (HENNESSY BUICK GMC, 7261 JONESBORO ROAD BUILDING 1, MORROW, GA 30260, (844) 240-2377) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES IN THE MORNING, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO CRANK ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED IN THE MORNING AFTER THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CENTENNIAL CHEVROLET IN UNIONTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA), BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,642.
WE DO CONSTANTLY ARE REPLACING PARTS WE REPLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND NOT EVEN A FEW MONTHS WE HA FT TO REPLACE AGAIN THE COOLING LINES ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE NOW WITHIN 2 YRS THE SEAT WARMERS NO LONGER WORK BEEN LIKE THAT THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION HAD TO REPLACE HOSES TWICE CONSTANT GRINDING SOUNDS AND NO BODY CAN FIGURE OUT WHY THE CAR IS A TOY CAR EVERYTHING BREAKS DOWN AND NOT JUST ONCE
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE STARTED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTO-START FEATURE MAY HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AGAIN AND SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD STALL. BELL PIERRE CHEVROLET IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES BY PHONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,500.
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
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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