10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 50,424 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
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the check engine and traction warning indicators illuminated continuously. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,581.
- Birmingham, AL, USA
I was driving my 2012 Chevrolet Sonic commuting my grandchild to pre-K, pulling out from stop sign onto straightaway street crossing in front of distant oncoming traffic, and my car stalled, very scary as could have been very bad wreck with my grandchild being hurt as myself! fortunately I let coast to side of street as I was only going 10 miles or less an hour when it shut off! it wouldn't start right off! it finally started after a few seconds, maybe 5 or more went by! this is very disturbing as it risks my life, plus another also, as he is only 4 years old! I need to know if car is even safe to keep driving!
- Greeneville, TN, USA
My mom purchased her vehicle and for this last year it has been nothing but issues. She took it and had it repaired because the oil light kept coming on and the gear shift sticking and the transmission. She took it to the dealership they charged her 400$. this is the second time. Autoplex in aransas pass Texas. As well as charging her for a battery that was under warranty. The car is now undriveable as it wont shift at all. We again took it to the dealership. They are not very thoroughly fixing it. My mother is 74 and is on a fixed income. The financial repairs are ridiculous as well as the safety issue.
- Aransas Pass, TX, USA
I bought this vehicle brand new. Paint started to loose shine about two months ago ( I personally wash the vehicle with properly cars wash soup). Took to dealership and they can't cover under manufacture warranty. Cost over $400. Check engine on. Took to dealership and they found two hoses damaged and thermostat leaking.
- Pharr, TX, USA
Car will start by itself after key is partially inserted into ignition and car will try to start over and over if left in ignition when turning off. Took to dealer they blamed on aftermarket radio. However, I am pretty sure has done almost from the point purchase. Disconnected radio stuff and still does same thing. Car is stationary in park. No safety issue other than what is stated.
- Springfield, OH, USA
Car with 21,000 miles overheated while using the ac. Engine coolant alarm came on and I turned the ac off and light shut off also. Took it to an auto service chain and they diagnosed that the radiator fan motor had to be replaced. Cost: $463.
- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
Vehicle started to randomly show check engine light on, smell of gasoline from time to time. Every time I would take it in the light would not be on so they couldn't help. Finally light stayed on and vehicle would shut off while I would drive, especially if I hit a stop light. I had to immediately take vehicle in and I had to rent a rental car so I can get to work that morning. Dealership called and said that it was a vacuum issue causing all the stalling and all the issues with the multiple lights on the dash. It turned out to be the air duct for the air intake box. This vehicle was very dangerous to drive and I have seen several complaints with same issue, vehicle is barely out of warranty and at 36000 miles but vehicle has less than 50K miles. I had to pay $350 for this incident and Chevrolet will not cover it.
- Cape Coral, FL, USA
Took my 2012 Chevy Sonic to the dealer today and was told that the cooling fan is cracked, the shifter assembly needs to be repaired (have had a problem with the key sticking for a few months now), and the check engine light was on because of an air duct outlet. Total repairs to be around $1,000. No idea why the cooling fan cracked on a 3 year old car with only 66,000 miles! #totally aggravated#
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was jumpstarted in order to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the battery was functioning properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,025.
- Crown Point, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving 20-25 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the air duct/valve cracked and the transmission cable failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,765.
- Washington, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked and the keys removed from the ignition, the vehicle attempted to restart independently and the check engine light illuminated. The failure recurred once. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
- Edgewater, FL, USA
When my wife places car in park, removes keys, the car will attempt to restart?!! yes re-start<< this is very dangerous & I am fearful for her life!!!! 2012 Sonic was purchased @ jon hall Chevrolet in daytona beach, fl. In 2011. With 700+ miles on it already. I'd certainly appreciate somebody contacting them (jon hall) and allow her to take it in for a free repair. Car is used only for her to go to work & back. This car fairly new (2012) has defect in it from the day she received it...plze do help. Her life may be at stake. (fire, explosion etc..)!!!!!!! brtralp@aol.com
- Edgewater, FL, USA
Engine light came on. Took car to dealership to diagnose problem. Dealer codes: P0101, P0171, throttle body intake tube torn allowing unmetered air to enter engine. Repair cost about $450 please advise if this is frequent occurrence in Chevy Sonic my 12. Are there similar complaints subject to recall?
- Plymouth , MI, USA
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 !!!
- Edgewater, FL, USA
A few months after purchasing my 2012 Chevy Sonic, I've noticed a decease in power and hesitation in its automatic shifting between gears. I've taken it in several times with the same issue, and each time the service techs (even the service manager) has told me and explained that it is behaving "normal" and "to design". if it were "normal" why hadn't it done that driving right off the lot"?? and why is it, years later, its shifting hesitation has gotten worse to the point of severe jerking as it shifts from one gear to another, as if someone were learning how to drive stick for the first time?????" there is nothing "normal" about how my vehicle is performing. It is complete[xxx] that I've been getting the run around about this issue for years. And they refuse to admit there's a problem, nor will they service it, which makes my vehicle ineligible to be claimed as a lemon, which it obviously is!!! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that antifreeze was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to find a leak and no repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Burkesville, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate over 10 mph. In addition, the vehicle stalled when idling and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
- Burlington , NC, USA
My wife was driving on the highway and it felt like transmission was slipping. We have a 6 speed manual turbo Chevy Sonic. While the car was under the 36000 warranty an engine fault light came on and we brought it to the dealer. I believe they said it had to do with turbo " they repaired the fault and now at 50000 miles it appears the transmission has let go and/or clutch " recall 14234 appears to be what happened to our vehicle or the aforementioned turbo problem they worked on and want us to pay for something that maybe a recall item or faulty workmanship during warranty period.
- Southington , CT, USA
Beginning from the first month of ownership. Approx. 28,000 mi. At cold start there is a rattle noise like metal on metal. Then will disappear right after. Has been getting worse/ louder. Hard shifts, loss of power. Now as of last night the check engine light is on and the car runs rough. High idle, stalls, knocking noises from engine. Fault code. P0011?
- Dallas, TX, USA
- Dundalk, MD, USA