THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING HITTING THE WINDOW WAS FOUND. THE REAR DEFOGGER WAS ON WHEN IT HAPPENED.
2012 Chevrolet Sonic complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2012 record →
THE CAR GOT STUCK IN 1 GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND THEN WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAVE PLATE HAS BROKEN. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 70,598 MILES ON IT. HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. I DID A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH AND THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS! THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. HTTPS://M.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/SONIC/2012/TRANSMISSION/BAD_TRANSMISSION.SHTML
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
MY CAR JERKS WHEN IT DOWNSHIFTS. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS ABOUT A YEAR AFTER I GOT IT. GOT IT CHECKED OUT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT'S NOT A PROBLEM. FAST FORWARD...IT'S WORSE. THE CAR JERKS IN SECOND AND FIRST DOWNSHIFTING. DOESN'T MATTER IF I'M DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE OR CITY STREET.
GEAR/TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN STEADY TRAFFIC... CAR SUDDENLY WENT TO 5-6000RPMS WITHOUT PRESSURE ON THE GAS AND THEN DOWN QUICKLY TO 1000RPMS BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND PULL OVER. AFTERWARDS, I COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO MOVE ABOVE 1000RPMS AND REVERSE GEAR WENT INTO FAILURE. THE TOW TRUCK COULDN'T MOVE IT WITHOUT PLACING IT INTO MANUAL MODE. IT'S BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR A WEEK WITH ALL DIAGNOSTICS SHOWING FAILURE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. AT THIS POINT, I EITHER NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OR BUY A NEW CAR. I ONLY HAD APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES ON THE CAR IN 7 YEARS.
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
2012 SONIC HAS THE SAME ENGINE AS THE CHEVY CRUZE, THE CRUZE HAS A RECALL ON IT FOR THE ENGINE VALVE, YET THE SONIC DOES NOT. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO GET DIAGNOSED AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE VALVE NEEDS REPLACED. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE ARE ON OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I DON'T WANT TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED WHEN THE SAME ENGINE ON THE CRUZE HAS THE SAME ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 10 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS THREE MILES AWAY FROM HER DESTINATION WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR WAS NOT SHIFTING AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED CHEVROLET OF COLUMBUS (2825 MERCHANT MILE, COLUMBUS, IN 47201, (812) M308-4380) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
IT WAS A FOGGY NIGHT I HAD JUST GOT OFF WORK I STARTED MY CAR LIKE ANY OTHER NORMAL DAY/NIGHT EXCEPT THIS NIGHT I USED MY REAR DEFROST I PROCEED TO LEAVE MY JOB AS I BEEN TO GET OFF THE ON RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY MY ENTIRE BACK GLASS EXPLODES AND BUST OUT CAUSING GLASS TO SHATTER EVERYWHERE AND LEAVING ME WITHOUT A REAR WINDOW AND COSTLY REPAIRS. I'M NOT SURE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS BUT THERE DEFINITELY SHOULD BE AS THIS CAN COST MANY PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IF EVERYTIME THE REAR DEFROST IS CUT ON THERE A POSSIBILITY MY WINDOW COULD BUST AND I GET COVERED WITH GLASS
TAKATA RECALL - THE GASKET OR O RING ON THE OIL FILTER HOUSING KEEP LEAKING. I DONE REPLACED EVERYTHING FROM OIL FILTER TO THE HOUSING. I HAVE ONLY OWN THE CAR FOR 7 MONTHS AND I HAVE ONLY OUT 5000 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW THE SMELL OF THE OIL IS HITTING THE EXHAUST AND SMOKING. I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING WAS LEAKING UNTIL I SMELLED THE OIL HITTING THE EXHAUST.
AUTOMATIC SHIFTER RELEASE BUTTON STICKING YOU CAN NOT GET THE CAR TO GO INTO PARK TO SHUT OFF CAR ALSO IT STAYS DEPRESSED CAUSING YOU TO BE ABLE TO EASLY HIT THE SHIFTER INTO NEUTERAL OR REVERSE WHILE DRIVING
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.
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS GOING BACK AND FORTH FROM ON TO OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS, AS WELL AS THE AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT ON HE DASH, NOW THE LIGHT STAYS ON THE DASH AND THE THE AIRBAG STAYS IN THE OFF POSITION.
SEAT BELT TENSIONER CABLES FRAYED AND BROKE OFF
A MONTH AGO, MY 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC TRANSMISSION STARTED NOT SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR AND SEVERELY SHIFTING WHEN PERSUADED. AFTER THAT IT STOPPED RESPONDING IN REVERSE AS WELL, UNLESS I WAS TO INCH FORWARD IN DRIVE ONLY TO SHIFT BACK INTO REVERSE, WHICH FOR A WHILE WORKED. I AM A CITY DRIVER AS WELL AND HAVE ONLY ADDED 2,000 MILES IN 5 MONTHS. NOW AFTER BUYING A USED TRANSMISSION AND HAVING THE SHOP PUT IT IN, IT IS STILL NOT RESPONDING IN REVERSE, WHICH THE PART SOLD TO ME SHOULD HAVE WORKED. HEARING THIS MADE ME COME TO THE REALIZATION THAT IT CANT BE THE TRANSMISSION, BUT I KNOW NEXT TO NOTHING WHEN IT COMES TO VEHICLES. WHEN I SEARCH MY CAR FOR RECALLS THERE ARE NONE BUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSIONS MADE TWO MONTHS AFTER MINE, WHICH TO ME, BECAUSE MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME RESPONSE, THE MANUFACTURING DATE SHOULDN'T MATTER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MANY SHOPS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT, AND I'M NOT SURE IF I TOOK IT TO ACTUAL CROSSROADS CHEVROLET IF THEY COULD FIGURE IT OUT EITHER. I BOUGHT THIS CAR 5 MONTHS AGO FOR $4700.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WHEN MY CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 15 MILES PER HOUR & MY ENGINE BEGAN TO REV IT'S SELF. AS I ALMOST GOT HIT. I PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT & WAS TRYING TO REVERSE INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I REALIZED I HAD LOST MY REVERSE.
THE GEAR SHUFT ASSEMBLY IS THE ISSUE. THE BUTTON ON THE GEARSHIFT GETS STUCK. THE CAR CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. I REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY ONCE. I MUST NOW REPLACE IT AGAIN.
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE AND JUST STOPPED. IT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL STATES! I COULD HAVE WRITTEN IT MYSELF. THANKFULLY, GOT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. GM STATES THIS VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. CERTIFIED CHEVROLET DEALER'S "DIAGNOSTIC" IS "BLACK FLUID WITH METAL IN IT" (MORE OF AN OBSERVATION) AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE TRANSMISSION APART TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS INDEED THE TURBINE SHAFT FRACTURE. OF COURSE, THEY JUST WANT TO PUT IN A NEW ONE AT MY EXPENSE. GM SHOULD WANT TO KNOW IF THERE ARE MORE SONICS WITH THIS ISSUE TO EXTEND THE RECALL AND KEEP PEOPLE SAFE!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBINE SHAFT MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN IN THIRD GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TURBINE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY AND PULLED FORWARD AT THAN 2 TO 3 MPH AND HIT AN OBJECT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN VEHICLE WAS STILL AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED. THE FAILURE IMPACTED THE CONTACT'S MOUTH, CHIN, AND ARMS, AND CAUSED MINOR BRUISING TO THE BODY. MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS REQUIRED. A DEALER HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEPLOYMENT PRODUCED AN ODOR AND SUBSTANCE FROM THE AIR BAGS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A TOW YARD AND DECLARED IT DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAULT WITH THE SYSTEM CONCERNING THE EDR BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN AN AIR BAG RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF *TR
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.
***TAKATA RECALL*** WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT OTHER CAR RAN A STOP SIGN & I TBONE THE OTHER CAR @ ABOUT 25 MPH & THE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOYED
CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. CAR WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, APPEARS TO BE STUCK IN 2ND GEAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE IGNITION WOULD INADVERTENTLY START AND THE RPMS INCREASED VIOLENTLY. ALL THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH HERB JONES AUTO GROUP (1605 RING RD, ELIZABETHTOWN, KY 42701, (270) 765-2123). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN SUBURBAN SETTING CAUSING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT. THIS MODEL AND MODEL YEAR HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR A SIMILAR TRANSMISSION ISSUE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THAT MY PARTICULAR CAR IS NOT PART OF IT DESPITE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL.
HAVE BEEN HAVING BAD ISSUES WITH FEAR SELECTOR BUTTON STICKING, AND IT AFFECTS THE SELECTOR SLIPPING INTO OTHER GEARS AS IT CANNOT LOCK.
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 S
BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER OCCASIONALLY STICKS. WHEN IT HAPPENS YOU CANNOT GET YOUR KEY OUT AND YOU CAN EASILY ACCIDENTALLY GO INTO REVERSE. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE I'VE COME ACROSS SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD
GEAR SHIFT BUTTON STICKS. UPON ARRIVING AT WORK THIS PAST MONDAY, I TURNED MY CAR OFF BUT THE IGNITION WOULDN'T RELEASE THE KEY. LOOKING CLOSER I REALIZED THE SHIFT BUTTON HAD NOT POPPED OUT LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE. WHICH MEANS I DROVE 26 MILES IN A DANGEROUS VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T GET TO IT FOR FIVE DAYS, OH I'D HAVE TO GET A RENTAL IN THE MEANTIME.I CALLED MY SON WHO MANAGES A NATIONWIDE AUTO PARTS STORE. APPARENTLY THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SONIC VEHICLES. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY ACCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED BUT I CAN SAY IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE GEAR TO SHIFT WHILE DRIVING IT, OR KNOCKED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN PARK. THERE IS A COMMON FIX, REPLACE THE BUTTON. I'VE HAD THAT DONE BUT IT STILL STICKS. ALSO, I HAVE HAD SOME RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT APPLIED, BUT THAT HAS MADE MATTERS WORSE BECAUSE NOW IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET THE SHIFTER BUTTON TO DEPRESS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT, I HAVE TO LEAVE IN THE MORNING TO GO OUT OF TOWN THAT I CAN'T PUT OFF. I'M AFRAID.
AUTOMATICALLY STOPS
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 TRAF
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 VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SHEARER CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC, 1675 SHELBURNE RD, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT 05403, (802) 658-1111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION TURBINE SHAFT MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
IN THE SUMMER OF 2017 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY SONIC AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT WOULD EVEN HAPPEN AT RED LIGHTS WHEN I WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND HAVING IT SIT FOR A FEW SECONDS, IT SEEMED TO BE FINE. IN SEPTEMBER 2017, IT WAS UNABLE TO PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THIS. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH A HOSE IN MY ENGINE AND HAD IT REPLACED. THE CAR RAN FINE DURING THE WINTER. IN SPRING OF 2018, WHEN THE WEATHER STARTED TO CHANGE, THE ISSUE OF THE CAR STOPPING AND FAILING TO ACCELERATE CAME BACK AND BEGAN TO OCCUR. IT IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT I WAS HAVING BEFORE AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS IN TERMS OF SAFETY. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF THE SERVICE EXPAINATION AND RECEIPT.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON INTERIOR IS WHAT SERVICE TOLD ME. SOMETHING BLEW AND NOT ONLY DOES TRANSMISSION NOT WORK BUT THE TIRES WON'T TURN. I SAW A RECALL FOR 2012 CHEVY SONIC, BUT WAS TOLD NOT ON MY VIN NUMBER. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE TRANSMISSION SHAFT, WHICH THEY SAID COULD BE THE REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, ON A STREET AND I TURNED RIGHT, ONTO A JUNCTION WHEN THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THEN DIED AS I ACCELERATED. I COASTED TO THE SIDE AND UP TO A FARM DRIVE.
VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING, WAS USING 6000 RPMS BUT ONLY GOING 30 MPH, FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. CAR LOST ABILITY TO GO IN REVERSE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, BUT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS STUCK IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (MAHER CHEVROLET, 2901 34TH STREET N, ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33713) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SHIFTER WAS REPLACED BY ANOTHER DEALER (DIMMITT CHEVROLET, 25485 US HIGHWAY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FLORIDA 33763) APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
AT 54,600 MILES IT WAS USING OIL AND SMOOKING OUT THE EXHAUST !! IN MOTION. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A BAD CHECK VALVE AND INTAKE HAD TO BE REPLACED ,VERY COMMON ON THE 1.4 TURBO ENGINE AS I FOUND OUT BY GOOGLING THIS ISSUE ,NO UPDATE ON MANIFOLD SO THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN !!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS WHEN PROMPTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REMAINED STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. MIKE MAROONE CHEVROLET SOUTH IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, NOT WHEN VEHICLE HAS STALLED. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES. STALLS WHILE MOVING AND AT A DEAD STOP. AND A SCENT OF BURNING LIKE A ELECTRICAL SHORT BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS VEHICLE COULD STALL WHILE I AM ON THE ROAD AND CAUSE ME TO BE REAR ENDED CAUSING A SERIOUS CRASH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE ABNORMALLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
MY 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC LT SEDAN HAS HARSH SHIFTING AND FEELS LIKE IT IS DOWNSHIFTING WHEN IT IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE WHILE IN MOTION
IN MY 2012 CHEVY SONIC, THE SHIFT BUTTON STICKS WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE THE CAR FROM PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, AND DRIVE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE SHIFTER IS FREE TO EASILY SWITCH INTO ANY POSITION. THE CAR IS NEVER FULLY ENGAGED IN PARK, AND SOMETIMES I CANNOT TAKE THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION. MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES, BUT CHEVY WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS, WHICH THEY TYPICALLY REPORT TO BE AROUND $400. THE CAR COULD SHIFT OUT OF PARK ON ITS OWN AND INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE AND STRIKE A PEDIATRIAN OR PROPERTY. NOTE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY VEHICLE, NOT JUST A ONE TIME OCCURANCE.
TRANSMISSION FRACTURED
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic → · Every Sonic year → · How the figures are calculated →