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2012 Chevrolet Sonic: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, most recently filed July 2014. Owners have filed 354 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 7campaigns 3 air bag · 1 electrical · 1 power train Source: NHTSA Complaints 354filed Owner reports, 2011–2020 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 32mpg combined $2,041/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 1.4 L 4-cyl· 6-speed manual 8 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (7)

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V417000 Filed Jul 2, 2014

Engine Block Heater Power Cord Damage

Equipment · electrical
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Consequence
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.
78.8% repairedof 2,990 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V417000
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V315000 Filed Jun 12, 2014

Transmission Turbine Shaft Fracture

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, to June 29, 2012, and equipped with a 6 speed automatic transmission and 1.8L four cylinder engine. In the affected vehicles, the transmission turbine shaft may fracture.
Consequence
If the transmission turbine shaft fracture occurs during vehicle operation in first or second gear, the vehicle will not upshift to the third through sixth gears, limiting the vehicle's speed. If the fracture occurs during operation in third through sixth gear, the vehicle will coast until it slows enough to downshift to first or second gear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission turbine shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14234.
85.6% repairedof 21,567 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V315000
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V300000 Filed Jun 6, 2014

Driver Side Frontal Air Bag May Not Deploy

Air bags
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Consequence
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023.
81.7% repairedof 31,520 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V300000
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V023000 Filed Jan 24, 2013

Driver Side Frontal Air bag may not Deploy

Air bags
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Consequence
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
86.4% repairedof 4,167 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V023000
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 12V522000 Filed Oct 31, 2012

Driver Side Frontal Airbag may not Deploy

Air bags
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Consequence
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
Remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Repair progress not yet reported2,949 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 12V522000
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 12V408000 Filed Aug 20, 2012

Windshield Wiper Hose/FMVSS 104

Visibility · windshield wiper/washer
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 5, 2011, through February 24, 2012. These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems." The windshield wiper washer hose on these vehicles may separate from the washer fluid reservoir. If this occurs, washer fluid will not be available to the windshield.
Consequence
A lack of washer fluid could impede the driver's view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will secure the windshield washer hose to prevent separation, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.
Repair progress not yet reported44,668 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 12V408000
Listed for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 11V599000 Filed Dec 28, 2011

MISSING BRAKE PAD

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · disc · pads
Official NHTSA text
Summary
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE FRONT BRAKE INNER OR OUTER PAD MAY BE MISSING.
Consequence
A MISSING PAD COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKES FOR A MISSING INNER OR OUTER PAD. IF A BRAKE PAD IS MISSING, DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW INNER AND OUTER PADS, A NEW BRAKE CALIPER, AND A NEW ROTOR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 14, 2012
Repair progress not yet reported4,296 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V599000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Sonic years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Chevrolet SonicAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (354)

354 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

27involved a crash
5involved a fire
18injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 354.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2012 compares with other Sonic years

Best and worst Sonic years →
1 354 217 150 114 48 37 14 8 10
2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 12.6%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 32 mpg combined

32
mpg combined
28
city
38
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,100
CO₂ tailpipe
278 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,041per year
$170per month
469gallons a year

Miles ÷ 32 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2012 Chevrolet Sonic configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive28 / 38 / 32$2,100278
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive28 / 38 / 32$2,100278
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 30$2,250296
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 30$2,250296
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive26 / 34 / 29$2,300306
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive26 / 34 / 29$2,300306
1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 28$2,400317
1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 28$2,400317

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2012 Sonic for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Sonic years

Where to next

Which Sonic years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2013 Chevrolet Sonic report217 complaints · 6 campaigns →2011 Chevrolet Sonic report1 complaints · 0 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2012 Chevrolet Sonic FAQ

How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns: 14V417000 (electrical), 14V315000 (power train), 14V300000 (air bag), 13V023000 (air bag), 12V522000 (air bag), 12V408000 (visibility), 11V599000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Sonic problems?

Owners filed 354 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (154), Engine (83), Electrical system (59) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic get?

EPA rates the 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 28 city, 38 highway and 32 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic get?

NHTSA rated the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (12.6% rollover risk).

How does the 2012 Sonic compare with other years?

Among the 2011–2020 Chevrolet Sonic model years at least five years old, the 2011 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2012 the most (354). The 2012 drew 354. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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