2012 Chevrolet Sonic
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 261 on record.
2012 Chevrolet Sonic at a glance
Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.
2012 Chevrolet Sonic recalls 7
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 heate…
Fix: 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 1-800-222-1…
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.
Fix: 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.
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 …
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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 …
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…
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.
2012 Chevrolet Sonic common problems
The most-reported problem areas from 353 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2012 Chevrolet Sonic safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 5 DR FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
2012 Chevrolet Sonic MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.
What's a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic worth?
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
2012 Chevrolet Sonic trims & engines on record
2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles on record
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JC5SH7C4114661
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JC5SH1C4110220
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JC5SH1C4213038
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JD6SB1C4230629
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JD5SB8C4173291
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JC6SH6C4174114
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JC5SH1C4224248
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JC5SH9C4210274
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LS1G1JB6SH1C4222797
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JC5SH9C4232646
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JD6SH7C4175687
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JC5SH8C4202327
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JC5SH1C4134243
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JC5SH0C4115103
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LS1G1JA5SH1C4232548
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JC6SH8C4175894
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LS1G1JA5SH1C4156586
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ1G1JE6SH1C4167257
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LS1G1JA5SH9C4153404
2012 Chevrolet Sonic lt1G1JC6EH4C4166105
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LT1G1JC5SH6C4107474
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LS1G1JA6SH0C4223863
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LS1G1JA6SHXC4126041
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ1G1JE5SBXC4216025
Other Chevrolet Sonic model years
2012 Chevrolet Sonic — frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have any safety recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic?
Based on 353 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, power train, electrical system.
What is the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic safety rating?
NHTSA gives the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 4★).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic at about 30 mpg combined (26 city / 36 highway).
How much is a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic worth?
Comparable 2012 Chevrolet Sonic listings run roughly $5,200–$9,200, typically around $7,239 (from 254 vehicles).
Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.