10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 54,582 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
2012 Chevy Sonic only has 39K miles and the transmission is kicking in reverse and in drive.while coming out of park.
- Jamaica Queens, NY, USA
Transmission will not shift into reverse or shift out of 2nd gear
- Acworth, GA, USA
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
- Manteo, NC, USA
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
- Charlotte, NC, USA
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.
- Lynchburg, SC, USA
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.
- Mckees Rocks, PA, USA
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
- Chicago, IL, USA
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.
- Lolumbus, IN, USA
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.
- Conway, SC, USA
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
- Ava, MO, USA
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.
- Fayetteville, NC, USA
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!!
- Island Lake, IL, USA
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.
- Birmingham, AL, USA
Car will not go into reverse. Car will not shift properly, appears to be stuck in 2nd gear.
- Medway, OH, USA
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.
- Dahlonega, GA, USA
Have been having bad issues with fear selector button sticking, and it affects the selector slipping into other gears as it cannot lock.
- Lake Wales, FL, USA
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
- Choctaw, OK, USA
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.
- Marcy, NY, USA
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.
- Geneva, NY, USA
- St Louis, MO, USA