RoadVitals

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Other / unspecified Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the other system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Other / unspecified 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.
8
Latest Aug 12, 2018
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.
2%
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.
3
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 whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above. 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. 8 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 other

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

ElectricalEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 12, 2018

THE LIGHT MY ENGINE SHOWS AND IT ALWAYS SMELL LABOR KE OIL

NHTSA ID
11119432
Incident
Aug 4, 2018
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
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Sep 12, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO SHAKE AND MAKE A LOUD POP NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT-END. THE VEHICLE WOULD THAN STALL CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR DUCT WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND REPLACED THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY, FUEL PUMPS, AND THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ID
10905688
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Mileage
7,000 mi
Fuel systemOther / unspecified
Filed Jun 8, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS APPEARED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ID
10723936
Incident
Jun 6, 2015
Mileage
63,000 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 22, 2015
1 injury reported

THE BUTTON TO RELEASE THE CAR OUT OF GEAR, AND ONCE IN PARK THAT RELEASES THE KEY CAME APART. IT HAS BEEN STICKING FOR AWHILE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, SOMETHING SHARP STARTED POKING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE BUTTON, AND IT HAS CUT MY HUSBAND'S HAND. NOW THE BUTTON BARELY PUSHES IN AND THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO GET OUT OF PARK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10678360
Incident
Jan 16, 2015
Mileage
48,419 mi
AirbagsBody & structureOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Aug 20, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

ALL TEN (10) AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN MY CAR WAS STRUCK BY A DRIVER ATTEMPTING TO PASS ME ON THE LEFT AS I WAS TURNING LEFT. THAT DRIVER WAS SPEEDING, CROSSED THE DOUBLE-YELLOW LINE TO PASS, DID NOT HAVE INSURANCE NOR A DRIVER'S LICENSE. MY DRIVER'S DOOR TOOK THE INITIAL IMPACT STRIKE AND WAS DEEPLY CREASED AS THE OTHER CAR CONTINUED FORWARD INTO MINE, THEN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WAS STRUCK; THE WHEEL AND A ROD CONNECTED FLEW OFF, MY FENDER WAS OBLITERATED, ENGINE COMPONENTS WERE SMASHED, AND MY CAR SPUN AROUND AT LEAST 200 DEGREES. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS GOING SO FAST, IT CONTINUED FORWARD MORE THAN 150 FEET BEFORE THE DRIVER COULD GET HIS VEHICLE TO STOP AFTER STRIKING MY CAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED MY CAR A TOTAL LOSS. DURING THE ACCIDENT, MY HEAD VIOLENTLY STRUCK THE DOOR FRAME AND I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. IT IS A MIRACLE FROM GOD THAT I WASN'T KILLED! MY HUSBAND IS LIVID TO THINK I COULD HAVE DIED... AND TO THINK THAT THE 10 AIRBAGS WERE A BIG SELLING POINT FOR US WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. WE THOUGHT WE WERE GETTING A SAFE VEHICLE. WE FEEL LIED TO AND ABUSED AS THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS--SO SAYS AN ATTORNEY--SINCE I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED NOR KILLED. AFTER MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAYS, I'LL STILL OWE ABOUT $4000 ON MY NEW-ISH CHEVY SONIC, AND I AM STILL REQUIRED TO PAY THE BALANCE TO ALLY (HOLDING THE LOAN FOR THIS GM CAR) FOR A PRODUCT THAT DIDN'T PERFORM AS IT SHOULD HAVE TO KEEP ME SAFE. HOW IS THIS NOT A CRIME? ISN'T THIS ROBBERY? GM SHOULD PROVIDE SOME KIND OF ASSISTANCE SINCE IT ADVERTISED UNTRUE STATEMENTS ABOUT THE VEHICLE. IF WE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THE CAR WAS UNSAFE, WE WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT. THERE'S TOO LITTLE JUSTICE IN AMERICA THESE DAYS. GM, IF YOU WILL MAKE THIS RIGHT, I WILL PLACE A FULL PAGE ADVERTISEMENT IN MY NEWSPAPER TELLING EVERYONE YOU TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR FAULT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10626584
Incident
Aug 6, 2014
Mileage
69,200 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 1, 2014
Crash reported

ON OR AROUND DECEMBER, 2014, THE SHIFT COVER WOULD NOT ATTACH PERMANENTLY. ON OR AROUND MARCH 10, 2014, THE ELECTRICAL ACCESS PLUG DID NOT OPERATE. ON OR AROUND MARCH 6, 2014, MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING AROUND 45MPH, AND WE HIT AN ELK. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10576112
Incident
Mar 5, 2014
Mileage
32,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Nov 19, 2012

MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER HAVE CONTROL ISSUES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MY CAR SWAYS ALL OVER THE ROAD DEALER WILL NOT HELP ME .I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINTS ONLINE EVERYWHERE PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CAR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED FOR DRIVING AND UNSAFE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10485138
Incident
Sep 21, 2011
Mileage
100 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .