Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chevrolet Sonic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Purchased 2012 Chevy Sonic for my son so that he can drive around as he is a student driver. Purchased on July 27th and pickup on the 29th on 30th Morning driving the car on the highway the car stopped while in drive mode and luckily no accident. reached out to the dealer i towed the car to dealership. First they told me is ready nothing wrong and said there is a problem with the key they didn't program it i picked up the car on august 2nd and while driving 5 miles it was doing stalled on the Highway near Natick Mall the Natick police came and tried to move the car to safe spot. …
After original P0011 engine code dealer bought from replaced VVT actuators, oil control solenoid, VCG, timing belt, water pump, antifreeze, idler and tensioner on 10/27 -11/21. Vehicle ran for one week and all thru Dec 2021 intermittently kept running rough and stalling and throwing P0011 code Camsgaft Position Sensor intake and P0301 cylinder 1 misfire. Smelled burning oil too. Replaced all separate throughout month -Camshaft position sensor intake, changed oil, spark plugs and now the ignition coil. Each time ran one day and code P0011 kept coming back. Running rough, poor gas mileage and stalls. Have extended warranty going back to dealer bought from.
We have had to deal with severe overheating issues and failing parts our entire ownership of this vehicle, both of which then cause other parts to fail, as the parts are so poorly made and heat sensitive. We have replaced the turbocharger (twice), intake manifold + valve cover (twice), catalytic converter, the radiator (THREE TIMES), the cooling fan (twice), the MAF sensor (twice), and much more. All of this has been done over the course of 18months. This has easily been the most expensive car we have ever owned due to the constant repairs, all of which has been because of Failing Parts and overheating.
Reviving the p2138 code for throttle/accelerator sensor. Still getting code after replacing 3 accelerator peddles. Possible manufacture issue with wiring that water gets into connectors shorting out that system
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
1. Car loses power when accelerating/hesitation - sometimes almost feeling like the car will shut down. It's random but happening more often. Car was repaired once already for this, was better for about 3-4 months and now is doing it again. Extremely dangerous when merging onto highways or making right turns on red or switching lanes. 2. Wiper fluid was not working, recall issue, but not on my car. Repaired once and now not working again! 3. Something's wrong with electrical system, stereo changing stations, turning itself on and off, very loud screeching sounds occasionally, repaired with an update but still happening. 4. Very strange sounds coming from suspension, it started when backing up I was told they could not find a problem 2 times, however, now it's happening while driving, in reverse and it's getting worse! 5. Steering is very difficult on a windy day when on the highway. …
My radio stays on in my 2012 Sonic even after the car is turned off. The first time it happened I went out to start my car in the morning and it was completely dead. The car was jumped and started up fine. I drove the car for a few days without incident then I noticed the radio was coming on and off as I was driving. Even after it was turned off, it would just start playing. I contacted the dealer where I purchased my car and scheduled an appointment. Two days before my appointment the car battery was completely drained again in the morning. ( an extreme inconvenience and annoyance if you need to be to work on time). Again the car was jumped and started right up. The day before the appointment the radio was coming on and off without me touching it. I was so annoyed I pulled the button off. Luckily the radio stayed off. …
First problem started when radio remained on after key removed from ignition. Radio would turn on and off when car was off and drained newly replaced battery. Advised to remove fuse as temporary fix. Car was also losing power when highway driving (up to 70 MPH). I don't speed, but car struggled to go above 70 MPH. Thought I smelled something burning, had radiator checked, oil changed, fluids added at beginning of October. Three weeks later on city street, slowing for traffic when car lost power. When traffic started moving, car continued to slow to complete stop in the street despite stepping on gas. Waited 25 minutes for tow, but when tow driver came, car was able to start and move. Less than an hour later, the problem happened again and car was towed. At mechanic, computer codes indicated low/no transmission fluid (even though fluid was added at oil change only three weeks prior). …
Attempted to start vehicle with key in ignition and also using the factory installed wireless remote starter while car was stationary however the car would not start initially. After another attempt or two the car did start. Also, on occasion after car does finally start, it immediately turns back off. Had car battery tested which that was not the issue. Took the vehicle to local mechanic and he found nothing wrong however while the car was sitting idle with the key in the ignition and turned off with no human interaction, the car attempted to start itself 3 different occasions. He recommended taking car to the Chevy dealership and having them reprogram and inspect the remote starter connection/programming. …
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 $350.00 for this incident and Chevrolet will not cover it.
Electrical complaints in other Sonic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, 17% of the model year's 354 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Sonic electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.