Page 3 of 8 · complaints 101–150 of 354

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 →

Engine
Filed Apr 7, 2018CA

COOLANT LEAK FROM WATER PUMP, APPLICABLE HOSES AND SURGE TANK. REPLACED WATER PUMP, SURGE TANK AND HOSE IN 2016. NEED TO REPLACE WATER PUMP, HOSES AND SURGE TANK AGAIN IN 2018. THERE IS ALSO AN ENGINE OIL LEAK YET TO BE IDENTIFIED. 1.8 L ENGINE.

Power Train
Filed Mar 20, 201850,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHEN PRESSING THE SHIFT GEAR BUTTON TO SWITCH BETWEEN GEARS, THE BUTTON WOULD BECOME STUCK AND REMAIN DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE SHIFTER WOULD INADVERTENTLY CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, NEUTRAL, OR PARK, WHEN ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER (PENNY KEMP CHEVROLET IN EVANSVILLE, IN) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 13, 201845,000 milesOH

STARTING IN NOVEMBER 2016 THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON BEGAN STICKING A LITTLE ON THE COLD DAYS. A MONTH LATER I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND COULDN'T GET THE BUTTON TO POP BACK OUT UNTIL THE CAR WAS WARM. WD-40 HELPED TEMPORARILY AND THEN MY MECHANIC CLEANED IT AND USE SILICONE. IT WAS BETTER BUT STILL STICKY. NO ISSUES DURING SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL BUT IT STARTED AS SOON AS THE COLD WEATHER HIT. IF I AM IN THE CAR LONG ENOUGH IT ISN'T A PROBLEM BUT SHORT TRIPS ON COLD DAYS MEAN I HAVE TO USE A CARD TO PRY THE BUTTON OUT. ONLY ONCE HAS IT CAUSED A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING WHEN IT TOO EASILY SLID FROM D INTO M1. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF TO HAVE THE GEAR SHIFTER REPLACED. THE PART IS ABOUT $150. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LABOR WILL BE AND I HAVENT BEEN UNDER WARRANTY FOR YEARS.

EngineFire
Filed Feb 9, 2018145,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME (A MILE AWAY) AND NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER COMPONENT AND LINES FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Feb 2, 2018129,000 milesAZ

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAFFIC WAS CONGESTED DUE TO ANOTHER ACCIDENT AND CONSTRUCTION. ME AND THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WERE AT A COMPLETE STOP AS WAS EVERYONE ELSE, WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED PRETTY FORCEFULLY AND TO THE POINT THAT AFTER SLAMMING HARDER ON MY BREAKS, MY VEHICLE WAS STILL SHOVED INTO THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT MY AIRBAG NEVER EVEN DEPLOYED. I WAS STRUCK PRETTY HARD AS WELL AS SHOVED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME THAT CRUNCHED MY CAR AT BOTH ENDS. I FIND THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT PROTECT ME FROM IF I WOULD HAVE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.

Engine
Filed Jan 17, 201860,000 milesCT

TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVY SONIC ---- CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND HEAT WENT COLD -- NO HAT ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR -- DEALERSHIP DID DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND VEHICLE WAS FIXED ONCE ALREADY -- VEHICLE HAS 60,000 MILES --- HEAT KEEPS GOING COLD WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED . 0 RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VIN...CB

Power Train
Filed Jan 5, 201856,935 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON DESIGNATED TRUCK ROUTE STREET -SPEED LIMIT WAS 45 MPH -THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT UP-SHIFT TO THE THIRD THROUGH SIXTH GEARS, LIMITING THE VEHICLE'S SPEED CAUSING A UNSAFE SPEED REDUCTION. AFTER FINALLY PULLING THE CAR OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC AND PARKING THE CAR IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND ALL FOUR WHEELS TO LOCKED. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 56,935 MILES ON THE CAR .

Power Train
Filed Jan 2, 201869,000 milesGA

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.

Engine
Filed Jan 1, 201862,127 milesIN

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID THE HOSE OR SOMETHING IS CAUSING THE FLUID TO DRAIN ON THE GROUND I EXPLAINED TO BRADLEY CHEVROLET IN FRANKLIN INDIANA THAT THIS HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUE BUT THEY STATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T IN THE RECALL BUT I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS DUMB I WANT THIS WORK COMPLETED UNDER THE RECALL AND FIXED AND I AM HAVING A LEAN CODE OF PO171 COME UP THAT ONSTAR DIAGNOSED AND BRADLEY DOESN'T WANT TO EVEN LOOK AT IT WITHOUT CHARGING ME A DIAGNOSTIC FEE WHEN I ALREADY HAVE THE CODE FEELING VERY FRUSTRATED PLEASE HELP ME

Power Train
Filed Dec 1, 2017107,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GET STUCK IN THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILTON RUBIN CHEVROLET IN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TCM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 141V31500 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Crash1 injured1 killed
Filed Nov 24, 201785,560 milesCA

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.

Engine
Filed Nov 3, 201762,000 milesAL

12/23/16, I PURCHASED A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. 4/6/17, I WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN SMOKE COME IN THE VENTS FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I CALLED ONSTAR & TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DIAGNOSTIC DIDN'T RETURN ANY INFORMATION & I CONTACTED THE DEALER & TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE ON 4/9/17. I WAS TOLD THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS LEAKING AND CAUSED THE SMOKING. THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED & FILLED & A GM OIL, LUBE, FILTER CHANGE WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS READY FOR PICK ON 4/19/17. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE CAR WAS SMOKING AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY JUST FLUID ON THE ENGINE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO SMOKE PERIODICALLY. 6/7/17, THERE WAS A LARGE POOL OF OIL UNDER THE CAR, I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL SHOP. THEY SAID THAT THE OIL HAD BEEN OVERFILLED & THAT IT BLEW A SEAL. I CALLED THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT OVERFILL THE OIL & MADE ANOTHER SERVICE APPOINTMENT. I WAS TOLD AGAIN THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM & THE OIL & THAT WAS THE REASON FOR THE SMOKING. REPAIRS COMPLETED 7/10/17. 9/27/17, WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I CALLED ONSTAR FOR A DIAGNOSTIC & THEY GAVE ME AN ERROR CODE P0299. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AN AIRFLOW PROBLEM. I CALLED THE DEALER & ASKED FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER & GAVE HER THE ERROR CODE. SHE SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TURBO & THAT I NEEDED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM 10/3/17. 10/4/17, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED ME & TOLD ME THAT THE TURBO ON THE CAR WAS BAD. THE REPAIRS WERE CO

Power Train
Filed Oct 22, 201738,000 milesIA

AUTOMATIC SHIFT BUTTON GETS STUCK CAUSING THE ABILITY FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCIDENTALLY COME OUT OF GEAR. WHEN THE SHIFT BUTTON IS STUCK IN, I THEN NEED TO PRY THE SHIFT BUTTON OUT TO PUT IT INTO PARK IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY. WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS THINKING IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL TO PRY THE BUTTON OUT (RATHER THAN PAY $400 TO GET IT FIXED), UNTIL WE FIGURED OUT THAT WHEN THE BUTTON IS STUCK IN, IT CAN EASILY BE BUMPED INTO DIFFERENT GEARS BY ACCIDENT.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 18, 201762,000 milesPA

I NOTICED THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS NOT CLOSING COMPLETELY. UPON INSPECTION I SAW THE DOOR LATCH POST THAT IS SCREWED ONTO THE BODY WAS LOOSE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE DOOR DOES NOT STAY CLOSED DURING DRIVING AND ALSO A BODY INTEGRITY ISSUE SHOULD WATER ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DOOR.

Power Train
Filed Oct 3, 2017PA

IN 2014 THE SHIFT GEAR WAS REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. IT HASN'T BEEN 3YRS, AND THE SHIFT GEAR IS DAMAGED AGAIN. WHEN I SHIFT GEAR FROM PARK THE RELEASE BUTTON STAYS STUCK, POSING A SAFETY HAZARD, IF BY ACCIDENT THE SHIFT GETS PUSHED WHILE THE CAR IS ON DRIVE. UPON PARKING THE CAR, THE RELEASE BUTTON STAYS STUCK AND THE KEYS WILL NOT COME OFF UNTIL THAT BUTTON IS RELEASE.

Power Train
Filed Sep 30, 201756,000 milesFL

I CAN BE DRIVING MY CAR NORMAL WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE IT ALMOST COMPLETELY LOSES POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD (TO THE POINT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING). THE TCS LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH 2 CODES. I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND MY CAR LITERALLY WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED/ACCELERATE (EVEN WITH PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR). THIS IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION THAT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WITH A CAR THAT ISN'T EVEN THAT OLD AND ONLY JUST HIT 60,000 MILES. I'M GUESSIMG ON THE FIRST DATE I NOTICED THE ISSUE, AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2017. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE I HAVE INVESTED IN AND FEEL MY TRANNY SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ESPECIALLY WITH IT FAILING BEFORE 60,000 MILES. PLEASE HELP.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Sep 28, 201750,000 milesMD

AIRBAG PROBLEMS: ABOUT 1YR AGO, HAD CAR LOOKED AT BECAUSE PASSENGER SEAT WAS NOT SENSING OCCUPANTS, AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF FOR FEW WKS ABOUT 2 MTHS AGO, NOW IT'S CONTINUOUSLY ON, WAS TOLD AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT IF PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR NOT REPLACED. WAS ALSO SIDE SWIPED ABOUT 1YR AGO GOING ABOUT 45 MPH AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HAVE PICS FROM ACCIDENT BUT NO POLICE REPORT FILED

Electrical System
Filed Sep 20, 20179,000 milesIA

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

Electrical System
Filed Sep 20, 201743,642 milesPA

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.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 15, 201775,000 milesAZ

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.

Power Train
Filed Aug 30, 201773,000 milesOH

THE BUTTON ON MY GEAR SHIFT IS STICKING. WHENEVER I SHIFT GEARS THE BUTTON STICKS. SOMETIMES IT WILL STICK THE WHOLE TIME I AM DRIVING AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL ONLY STICK FOR A MINUTE OR TWO. WHAT DEEPLY CONCERNS ME IS WHEN I PARK I CANNOT REMOVE MY KEYS OR TURN MY CAR FULLY OFF UNTIL THE BUTTON TO RETURN TO A RELAXED STATE. SOMETIMES I WILL HAVE TO SIT IN MY CAR FOR A HALF AN HOUR WAITING FOR THE BUTTON TO COME OUT OF THE GEAR SHIFT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST MONTH.

Engine
Filed Aug 8, 201766,000 milesRI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL EXHAUST SOUND. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL AND AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE OIL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 31, 201727,500 milesWA

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.

Power Train
Filed Jul 27, 2017102,000 milesGA

I PURCHASE MY CAR MARCH 2012. HAD HAVE BEEN TAKING IT TO DEALER ABOUT THE WASHER FLUID NOT STAYING IN BOTTLE. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEN TOOK IT AGAIN FOR TRANSMISSION SLIPPING INTO GEAR THEY SAID AGAIN NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT WORKING AND THEY SAY THE RECALL IS NOT FOR MY CAR CAUSE THERE WEBSITE SAYS SO.IT STOPPED MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH ME HAVING A 2YEAR OLD IN BACK SEAT. I FINALLY GOT MY FLUID TO STAY IN BOTTLE BY SOME OTHER MECHANIC.

Power Train
Filed Jul 20, 201746,200 milesMI

MY CHEVROLET SONIC HAS DEVELOPED AN ISSUE WHERE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER BUTTON IS STICKING IN THE 'IN' POSITION. IN THIS POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION GEARS CAN BE CHANGED WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BUTTON IS SUCH A FASHION AS TO MOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE AND IN THIS MODULE IT HAS A SO CALLED MANUAL MODE. SO ONE COULD BUMP THE GEAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE JUST BY TOUCHING THE GEAR SHIFTER. OF COURSE, WITH THIS BUTTON IN THE IN POSITION YOU CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THUS REPORTING IT AS SUCH. THIS ISSUE CAN HAPPEN BOTH DRIVING AND BEFORE DRIVING. AS IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR THIS WAY I WILL BE TAKING THIS IN TO A CHEVROLET DEALER TO BE FIXED.

Power Train
Filed Jul 17, 2017MI

THERE IS A BUTTON ON THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR THAT ALLOWS THE SELECTOR TO MOVE FROM PARK TO THE DRIVING GEARS. ON MY CAR THE BUTTON IS NOW STICKING IN (WILL NOT RELEASE) THIS CAUSE THE GEAR SELECTOR TO MOVE FREELY FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER SUCH AS DRIVE TO REVERSE ECT ALSO AS THIS IN IN THE IN OR ENGAGED POSITION THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE CAR CAN BE PLACED INTO REVERSE AND OR DRIVE JUST BY TOUCHING THE GEAR SELECTOR

Power Train
Filed Jul 9, 2017107,000 milesCA

THE HEATED SEATS STOPED HEATING AT 90K MILES TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 107K MIKES

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 25, 201728,685 milesCA

IN HOT WEATHER, CAR ALARM WILL SOUND FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED -- EVEN AFTER ENGINE HAS COOLED. THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR AROUND APRIL. I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. IT JUST BEGAN HAPPENING AGAIN.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 7, 2017NC

MY CHEV SONIC 2012 TRIES TO RESTART BY IT SELF WHEN KEY IS TURNED OFF AND LEFT IN IGNITION AND CAR IS STATIONARY. YOU NEVER NO WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. I DON'T LEAVE THE KEY IN IGNITION AT ALL FOR BEING AFRAID WHAT WILL HAPPEN. NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!

Power Train
Filed Jun 1, 2017125,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER IN DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE THEN DECELERATED TO 30 MPH, JERKED BACK AND FORTH WITH A LOUD UNKNOWN NOISE, AND THEN WENT INTO IDLE MODE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (LOWELL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MA), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBINE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER (LANNAN CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 831 ROGERS ST, LOWELL MA, 01852) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHAFT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Power Train
Filed May 2, 201752,956 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFTER BUTTON WOULD DEPRESS, BUT NOT RELEASE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE KEY BECAME DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION UNTIL THE SHIFTER BUTTON WAS RELEASED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE PREVIOUSLY HAD THE SHIFTER REPLACED TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,956.

Power Train
Filed Apr 24, 201763,000 milesMI

GEAR SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON HAS BEEN SLOW TO RELEASE FOR SOME TIME AND RECENTLY CRACKED IN HALF. THAT LEFT ME UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS OUT OF PARK. I REPAIRED WITH GLUE TEMPORARILY BUT WOULD LIKE A PERMANENT SOLUTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 24, 201760,000 milesCA

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

Power Train
Filed Mar 6, 201766,200 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND DECELERATED. THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,200.

Structure › Body1 injured
Filed Feb 19, 201729,000 milesMD

THE CHROME ON THE FRONT INSIDE DOOR HANDLES IS PEELING. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO SLICE MY FINGERS OPEN ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 16, 2017105,000 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED WITH AN ADULT WHO WEIGHED 145 POUNDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Feb 3, 201750,872 milesNY

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.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 26, 2017945,000 milesNC

MY 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY TO ME BECAUSE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE SEVERAL RECALL CAMPAIGNS ON THE VEHICLE THAT DID NOT COME UP UNDER MY VIN.CAMPAIGN ID 12V52200, CAMPAIGN ID 13V023000, CAMPAIGN ID14V315000, CAMPAIGN ID 14V317000 CAMPAIGN ID 11V599000, CAMPAIGN ID, 12V408000. I COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE THAT HAD BLEW A STOP SIGN AS I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. MY VEHICLE T-BONE THE OTHER VEHICLE. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THE OTHER VEHICLES AIR BAGS DID. MY CAR HAS BEEN SERVICE AT MODERN CHEVROLET UNIVERSITY PARKWAY IN WINSTON SALEM NC SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN NOV. 2012 FROM THAT DEALERSHIP. THE ONLY RECALLS THE DEALERSHIP OR GM HAS NOTIFIED ME ABOUT WERE ONLY GM CAMPAIGN ID 12172 REPLACE SWAYBAR LINKS AND GM CAMPAIGN ID12176. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 18, 2017TX

MY ANTIFREEZE PRESSURE HOSE BUSTED,I TOOK IT TO THE DEALLERSHIP THEY SAID THAT I HAD AITIFREEZE IN THE ENGINE. THEY SAY IT WILL ONLY COST ME AROUND $400.00 DOSE THIS SOUND RIGHT .I THINK A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE CAUSE THE HOSE TO BURST AN IT ALL SHOULD.IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS.THE HOSE BUSTED WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 8, 201740,000 milesMI

ON 1/31/2016 A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. THE FIRST AND BIGGEST ISSUE WAS THE AIRBAG NEVER WENT OFF AND THE SEAT BELT TENSIONERS DID NOT LOCK THE BELTS EITHER. I WENT FORWARD AND HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL RENDERING ME UNCONSCIOUS!!! ALMOST THE WHOLE FRONT END HAD TO BE REPLACED E.G.: GRILL AND FRONT PANEL, LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANELS, RADIATOR, BOTH WHEEL WELLS, SUSPENSION ON BOTH SIDES AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES WITH THOSE PLUS A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER THINGS LIKE THE RADIATOR, COOLANT AND WASHER TANKS ETC. ETC.... THIS WAS A FULL-FRONTAL WRECK AND NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG WENT OFF!!! SECONDLY ARE THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. THE ROADS WERE A LITTLE SLICK SO I HAD THE TC ON. WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES ALL THEY DID, HAVE DONE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND CONTINUE TO DO TO THIS DAY, IS IMMEDIATELY LOCK UP! I HAD ZERO CONTROL OF MY CAR. THIS CAR HAS, BY FAR, THE WORST ABS SYSTEM I HAVE EVER USED. THE TC IS COMPLETE [XXX], TOO!!! THIRDLY, EVERY TIME I START THE CAR THE ENGINE SEEMS TO MISFIRE OR SOMETHING! IT RATTLES AND SHAKES THE WHOLE CAR, HARD!!! AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT SEEMS TO FIND IT'S GROOVE AND IDLES NORMALLY. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS. ALL THEY TELL ME IS THEY ARE DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING FLAWS. THEY SAID I CAN PAY TO FIX THESE ISSUES WITH MY OWN MONEY OR WAIT AND SEE IF THE ISSUES BECOME RECALLS. WHICH, ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, HAVE NOT YET. TO ME, THESE ARE SOME PRETTY BIG SAF

Electrical System
Filed Dec 10, 2016VA

THERE IS NO HEAT IN MY 2012 SONIC, THE HEAT IS TURN TO THE HIGHEST POSITION BUT ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. OCCATIONALLY THE HEAT WILL START BUT WHEN THE CAR IS NOT IN MOTION THERE IS NO HEAT AND ONLY COLD AIR.

Power Train
Filed Dec 6, 2016130,000 milesCA

TRANSMISSION RECALL14V315000. MY SON AND WIFE WERE DRIVING IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE LOST SPEED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD OR HIGHER GEARS. THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS LIMITED TO ABOUT 25-35MPH. IT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH AS MY SON WAS TRYING TO WEAVE OUT OF HIGH SPEED FREEWAY TRAFFIC. THE FAILURE IS RELATED TO A BROKEN WAVE PLATE IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH PREVENTS 3-6 GEARS FROM ENGAGING. THE SYMPTOMS EXPERIENCED ARE VERY SIMILAR TO A RECALL GM HAS ON SOME 2012 SONICS WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS LIMITED SPEED AND WON'T SHIFT PAST 3 GEAR. RESEARCH REVEALS THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS WITH THE WAVE PLATES BREAKING AND POSING A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 5, 2016VA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG HESITATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, AS WELL AS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE JERKED EXCESSIVELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT UPDATED 7/13/18*JB *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 29, 2016NC

SOON AFTER I PURCHASE MY CAR I NOTICE WHEN I'M ON THE BYPASS ITS LIKE A FEATHER WOBBLING . THEN RECENTLY I'M DRIVING AND MY STEERING WHEEL COME UP, AND WONT LOCK BACK. *TR

Structure › Body1 injured
Filed Nov 18, 201657,000 milesAZ

FRONT SEAT RIGHT AND LEFT DOOR HANDLES , CHROME COVERING SPLIT CAUSING SHARP EDGE RESULTING CUT HAND FOR DRIVER.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 10, 201647,000 milesIL

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.

Engine
Filed Oct 27, 2016111,000 milesFL

CAR STARTED MISFIRING WHEN ACCELERATING AND WOULD JERK AND BE VERY ROUGH WHEN IDLING BUT NO ENGINE LIGHT. FULL TUNE UP FOUND THAT OPEN VALVE COVER GASKET WAS DAMAGED AND THAT SEALS WERE PLASTIC WHEN THEY SHOULD'VE BEEN RUBBER, THIS CAUSED OIL TO ENTER THE SPARK PLUG WELLS. CHANGED GASKET AND SEALS BUT PROBLEM PERSISTED. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IGNITION SWITCH IN CYLINDER 1 WAS BAD, THIS CORRECTED THE ISSUE BUT NOW CAR HAS BURNING SMELL AT TIMES.

Power Train
Filed Oct 26, 201644,000 milesOK

KNOW TO SHIFT GEARS HAS A BUTTON YOUR PRESS TO CHANGE GEARS. AT AROUND 44000 MILES IT GETS STUCK EVERYDAY. IT POPS BACK OUT EVENTUALLY, BUT IT'S A DANGEROUS HAZARD. SURPRISE IT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED YET, WITH THE MANY COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 16, 2016IA

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. STARTED IN JUNE 2016, TOOK IT TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM. THEY RAN A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC ON THE CAR AND SAID THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT ABOUT A COST OF $500. SINCE I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT, THEY MAKE IT SO THE WARNING LIGHT WAS OFF AND SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE BAD SENSOR, THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THE WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON AGAIN. SINCE IS NOT A NORMAL "WEAR AND TEAR" PART ON THE VEHICLE, I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE ISSUE FIXED.

Traction Control System
Filed Sep 12, 20167,000 milesAL

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.

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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.

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