47 problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic based on all problems reported for the 2012 Sonic.
I purchased this car 2 years ago and it has caused me absolutely nothing but trouble. We have replaced the fan 4 times (twice due to the resistor thats part of the fan failed), headgasket job, intercooler punctures (once inward, once outward), failed valve cover, intake maniford, turbo seals twice, failing check values, new relays for the fan (twice), another drive belt, and now I go outside and theres a puddle of coolant under my car. I have sunk over $8,000 into this car and it has been the worst financial decision ever. Why do the parts keep failing? why isnt there a heat gage in the dang car so I know its too hot before the light comes on?.
Water pump is leaking in front of motor.
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.
On 4/1/2023 my engine light went on. I had my nephews look at it. See pictures below for engine read and how oil mixed with antifreeze. Also note service paperwork. Gaskets were not up to quality to keep the oil sealed in its compartment. Manager called and tried to take care of issue because he only uses genuine parts but was told there was an issue with this part and until there were more fatalities or more people complained noting could be done. He was not happy. They did the best they could resorting to youtube videos and imagination. When I got it back, it was like brand new. Two days later, my engine light came on again. You will find the new engine reading which again had the oil mix with the antifreeze and no oil left. The engine would blow/seize or worse if I kept driving it. I am on disability and live alone. I cannot afford the unpredictability of having something happen to me on the road or where I am suppose to the money. I complained before to a manager at a dealership when I had a problem with my motor when my car was still new. He told me it was supposed to be like that. I keep revving in the middle of traffic lights and people were on my backend when I would get out of work at 3:00 am. The car was recalled two months later to replace many individual motor parts. I am too old and anxious to play these games. Please seriously have look into this please. Thank you for your time.
Unknown.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine oil change services, there was a smell of oil inside the vehicle. The contact then stated that while the vehicle was parked, smoke was coming from underneath the hood and after opening it, there was coolant leaking out. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed that the warranty had expired. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
A few months after this car was purchased, we received the notice regarding recall 14234 for our 2012 chevy Sonic. However, when we brought it to the dealership, they stated that our vehicle didn't fall under the recall. I told them we were experiencing shaking while shifting and it seemed like the exact same issue. Now about 1 year later with less than 100,000 miles, the car will not shift properly into 3rd gear. The auto repair shop informed us that we need to get a new transmission among many other related repairs. We seem to have the exact same issue as reported in the recall; however, we continue to be informed that our vehicle does not fall under the umbrella of the recall. After doing a number of searches it seems that this is a common story. All these 2012 chevy Sonics have the same issue yet do not fall under the recall.
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.
Vehicle keeps throwing p0011 codes with engine running rough and stalling when moving from stopped or slowing down.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the battery warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact purchased a new battery however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the starter was replaced. Despite the repair, the failure persisted. The vehicle remained in the possession of the mechanic. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
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.
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.
A month ago, my 2012 Chevrolet Sonic transmission started not shifting into second gear and severely shifting when persuaded. After that it stopped responding in reverse as well, unless I was to inch forward in drive only to shift back into reverse, which for a while worked. I am a city driver as well and have only added 2,000 miles in 5 months. Now after buying a used transmission and having the shop put it in, it is still not responding in reverse, which the part sold to me should have worked. Hearing this made me come to the realization that it cant be the transmission, but I know next to nothing when it comes to vehicles. When I search my car for recalls there are none but there is a recall for the transmissions made two months after mine, which to me, because my car is having the same response, the manufacturing date shouldn't matter. I have taken it to many shops and no one knows what is wrong with it, and I'm not sure if I took it to actual crossroads Chevrolet if they could figure it out either. I bought this car 5 months ago for $4700.
Tl the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. While the vehicle was parked, the ignition would inadvertently start and the rpms increased violently. All the indicators on the instrument panel were illuminated. The contact spoke with herb jones auto group (1605 ring rd, elizabethtown, ky 42701, (270) 765-2123). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and was not able to assist. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was invalid.
Automatically stops.
The light my engine shows and it always smell labor ke oil.
Tl-contact owns a 2012 chevy Sonic ---- contact was stopped at traffic light and heat went cold -- no hat only blows cold air -- dealership did diagnostic test and vehicle was fixed once already -- vehicle has 60,000 miles --- heat keeps going cold when vehicle is stopped . 0 recalls associated with this VIN. . . Cb.
Tl the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. After driving approximately 35 mph, the contact parked the vehicle and noticed smoke emerging from the engine compartment. The contact drove the vehicle back home (a mile away) and noticed a lot of smoke emerging from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil cooler component and lines failed and needed replacement. The dealer was not contacted. An independent mechanic could not find the part to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
I am having problems with my windshield wiper fluid the hose or something is causing the fluid to drain on the ground I explained to bradley Chevrolet in franklin indiana that this has been a recall issue but they stated that my VIN number wasn't in the recall but I am having the same issue that is dumb I want this work completed under the recall and fixed and I am having a lean code of po171 come up that onstar diagnosed and bradley doesn't want to even look at it without charging me a diagnostic fee when I already have the code feeling very frustrated please help me.
My 2012 Chevrolet Sonic was involved in an automobile accident resulting in injury to me because my airbags did not deploy. There were several recal campaigns on the vehicle that did not come up under my VIN. Campaign id 12v52200, campaign id 13v023000, campaign id14v315000, campaign id 14v317000 campaign id 11v599000, campaign id, 12v408000. I collided with a vehcile that had blew a stop sign as I proceeded through the intersection. My vehicle t-bone the other vehicle. My air bags did not deploy the othe vehicles air bags did. My car has been service at modern Chevrolet university parkway in winston salem nc since purchasing the vehicle in Nov. 2012 from that dealership. The only recalls the dealership or gm has notified me about were only gm campaign id 12172 replace swaybar links and gm campaign id12176. Vehicle was a total loss.
My antifreeze pressure hose busted,I took it to the deallership they said that I had aitifreeze in the engine. They say it will only cost me around $400. 00 dose this sound right . I think a problem with the engine cause the hose to burst an it all should. Is there a recall on this. The hose busted while the car was being driven on the highway.
Car started misfiring when accelerating and would jerk and be very rough when idling but no engine light. Full tune up found that open valve cover gasket was damaged and that seals were plastic when they should've been rubber, this caused oil to enter the spark plug wells. Changed gasket and seals but problem persisted. Took to the dealership and was told that ignition switch in cylinder 1 was bad, this corrected the issue but now car has burning smell at times.
Has burning smell of anti freeze and wires melting. Air bags don't work on front passenger side.
Air intake hose has been replaced due to cracking only 3 years old at that time about 45k miles. Now the shift knob sticks and the button takes forever to release, or I have to pop it back out so I can take the key out otherwise the key gets stuck. Getting worse. . . Now it is becoming harder to shift into park. All these problems occur when stationary. . . I have not attempted to move the car into other gears while in motion but I know it will happen if it is pushed while that button is not released.
Takata recall I was driving and I tried to brake at an intersection due to a red light and there was a car in front of me, I was unable to use the brakes because the pad got stiff and it didn't allow me to brake, I had to use my emergency brake but I hit the car in front of me .
In 2015, my 2012 Chevrolet Sonic had to have the fuel purge valve replaced. The car worked for a while after this. However, a few months ago, it started having a rough idle, with the rpms dipping up and down. The problem got worse recently, when the car actually completely died while making a left hand turn, almost causing me to get hit. Now, it is even worse. Now, in addition to the rough idle, traction control randomly engages even when I am not slipping, causing me to lose all power for brief periods of time, while in motion. The traction control is glitching so bad that it even randomly engages when I am completely stopped. This is a huge safety issue, and the dealership that sold me the car wants $113 just to tell me what is causing it, and how much it will cost to actually fix. There are no active recalls on this vehicle, but further research on the model I own, shows other owners having similar issues. Chevrolet has been no help.
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.
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. 00. Check engine on. Took to dealership and they found two hoses damaged and thermostat leaking.
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.
Major concern: my power steering failed. The dealer said the power steering column needed to be replaced ($1,300). The car has high mileage (excess of 150,000). I have had several cars with similar mileage but never had the power steering fail. Since this is electronic steering there doesn't appear to be any warning/no preventative maintenance. Fortunately I was not on the highway at the time this occurred but in the driveway after having driven several hours the same day. We checked for relays in the fuse box but none are marked for the power steering. There were at least two previous times when backing out of my driveway that the power steering locked up but then started working fine. Dealer could not find the problem for the first two incidents. My car has been sitting in my driveway since June 2015 because I didn't feel safe driving if even it was fixed. I've always owned gm vehicles (for 36 years) but the lack of concern about this problem prompted me to purchase a Subaru. At the time of the steering failure I still owed 2 years on my loan. The second problem which I've complained about since the car was new was the transmission. There was always slow response when pulling away from a stop. It worsened after the car had been driven several hours. Again, nothing was diagnosed.
Tl- the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic lt. The contact stated that while driving twenty to twenty-five mph, the vehicle engine seized with no warning. The brake had not stopped the vehicle. The contact applied the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle landed in a driveway. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the air duct/valve cracked, transmission cable issue. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 28,765. The manufacturer was notified. Bd.
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 $450 please advise if this is frequent occurrence in chevy Sonic my 12. Are there similar complaints subject to recall?.
I am owner of 2012 chevy Sonic, yesterday again - when I shut off my car . . . It started back up again just after I shut the key off car was in park. Plze do h e l p - m e !!!.
When my wife places car in park, removes keys, the car will attempt to restart?!! yes re-start<< this is very dangerous & I am fearful for her life!!!! 2012 Sonic was purchased @ jon hall Chevrolet in daytona beach, FL. In 2011. With 700+ miles on it already. I'd certainly appreciate somebody contacting them (jon hall) and allow her to take it in for a free repair. Car is used only for her to go to work & back. This car fairly new (2012) has defect in it from the day she received it . . . Plze do help. Her life may be at stake. (fire, explosion etc. . )!!!!!!! brtralp@aol. Com.
My mom purchased her vehicle and for this last year it has been nothing but issues. She took it and had it repaired because the oil light kept coming on and the gear shift sticking and the transmission. She took it to the dealership they charged her 400$. 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.