The Lemon Index2012 Chevrolet Sonic.
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is worse than average by owner complaints: 166 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 153, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 28 to 32 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Sonic year is 2018.
Worse than average. 1.5× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2018
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 354 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Sonic year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 25K to 69K miles on the car (279 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 32K–75K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 26K–66K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 22K–56K miles
Recalls 7
- equipment 2014
In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
- transmission & drivetrain 2014
In the affected vehicles, the transmission turbine shaft may fracture.
- airbags 2014
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Show all 7 recalls
- airbags 2013
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
- airbags 2012
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
- visibility 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.
- brakes 2011
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1589 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The ipc may be intermittently inoperative while check engine light works
- Gmc/buick/chevrolet: transmission slips when in reverse or not in reverse, 3rd gear or no 3rd…
- Gmc/chevrolet/buick: transmission pump needs inspecting due to engine cranking but fails to…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedAir bag non-deployment2013–2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Sonic 5 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Sonic 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2000–2300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
I am owner of 2012 chevy Sonic, yesterday again - when I shut off my car ...it started back up again just after I shut the key off car was in park. Plze do h e l p - m e !!!
2012 Chevrolet Sonic owner · NHTSA complaint 10722490
More owner reports
While engaging the shifter assembly into gear, the button on the assembly becomes stuck. The car can then be moved from park into any gear by accident. Also causing the key to be stuck inside the ignition of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10621233
A bad smell like rotten eggs, keeps coming out of the ac/c vents and the engine of the car. I changed the air filter and everything but nothing happen the smell does not go away.
NHTSA complaint 10596536
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 153; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Sonic year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Sonic problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (42%), engine (22%) and electrical (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have?
7 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic get?
28 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Sonic problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,000 and 69,200 miles. The middle report was at 45,000 miles, from 279 complaints.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 42% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $2300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have?
1.4L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Sonic year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2016 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works