2012 Chevrolet Sonic Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, 44% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 50,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “gear shift” (13% of reports).
- 154power train complaints
- 50,000median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $600typical repair cost reported by owners
- 32%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Gear shift: mentioned in 20 of 154 complaints (13%)
- Turbine shaft: mentioned in 9 of 154 complaints (6%)
- Key ignition: mentioned in 9 of 154 complaints (6%)
- Button stuck: mentioned in 8 of 154 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic at $600, and half of them between $560 and $1,500.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2024), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 123 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 154 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 2 an injury.
Chevrolet Sonic power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Sonic | 3 | 30% | 1,800 |
| 2017 Sonic | 1 | 3% | 55,000 |
| 2016 Sonic | 3 | 6% | 78,456 |
| 2015 Sonic | 12 | 11% | 39,000 |
| 2014 Sonic | 20 | 13% | 68,516 |
| 2013 Sonic | 38 | 18% | 52,500 |
| 2012 Sonic | 154 | 44% | 50,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the transmission turbine shaft fracture occurs during vehicle operation in first or second gear, the vehicle will not upshift to the third through sixth gears, limiting the vehicle's speed. If the fracture occurs during operation in third through sixth gear, the vehicle will coast until it slows enough to downshift to first or second gear, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that on several occasions, while coming to a stop, the vehicle unexpectedly remained in second gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that several attempts were needed for the vehicle to shift into another gear…
Transmission shaft malfunction. Doesn't shift out of 1st gear. Transmission does not engage into gear.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The check engine OBD reader had lost communication with the transmission. The contact merged to the side of the road. The contact then went to auto parts store and attempted to change the speed…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2012 Chevrolet Sonics have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 154 owner complaints about power train for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic (44% of the 354 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 50,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic?
Owners report a typical cost of $600 (half paid between $560 and $1,500), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic?
The most frequent phrase is “gear shift”, in 20 of 154 complaints, followed by “turbine shaft” (9).
Other 2012 Chevrolet Sonic problems
See all 2012 Chevrolet Sonic problems or power train problems across all Sonic years.