general problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

11 problems related to service brakes 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.

1 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 04/23/2025

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on, the brakes, abs, traction control, and braking system warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle took longer than normal to slow down. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle taken to a dealer where it was it diagnosed and determined that the brake booster pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

2 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 01/13/2017

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.

3 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 11/07/2016

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The driver depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to decelerate. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle started to lose power and the driver was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

4 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 05/13/2016

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 .

5 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2016

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.

6 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 01/31/2016

On 1/31/2016 a vehicle pulled out in front of me. The first and biggest issue was the airbag never went off and the seat belt tensioners did not lock the belts either. I went forward and hit my head on the steering wheel rendering me unconscious!!! almost the whole front end had to be replaced e. G. : grill and front panel, left and right front quarter panels, radiator, both wheel wells, suspension on both sides and everything that goes with those plus a whole lot of other things like the radiator, coolant and washer tanks etc. Etc. . . . This was a full-frontal wreck and not a single airbag went off!!! secondly are the abs and traction control. The roads were a little slick so I had the tc on. When I hit my brakes all they did, have done since I bought the car, and continue to do to this day, is immediately lock up! I had zero control of my car. This car has, by far, the worst abs system I have ever used. The tc is complete shit, too!!! thirdly, every time I start the car the engine seems to misfire or something! it rattles and shakes the whole car, hard!!! after a few seconds it seems to find it's groove and idles normally. I have brought the car in to the local chevy dealership where I purchased the car to address these problems. All they tell me is they are design and/or manufacturing flaws. They said I can pay to fix these issues with my own money or wait and see if the issues become recalls. Which, according to my research, have not yet. To me, these are some pretty big safety issues the manufacturer should be addressing!!! and why aren't they????? I have photos of the accident, but can't seem to find them anywhere. I'll come back if I find them.

7 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 01/07/2016

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that the brake pedal stuck to the floor board, while attempting to slow down and driving at 65 mph. As a result, the contact crashed into a guard rail. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The approximate failure mileage was 35,500.

8 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 11/23/2015

While driving at highway speed on a two lane road at night, applied brakes to avoid animal in road. Conditions were clear and road was dry. There was plenty of time to slow to avoid animal so this was not a panic stop. Upon application of brakes, headlights went out. Dash lights stayed on making it impossible to see out of the vehicle. Applied brakes with more urgency and all four wheels locked. Vehicle skidded straight until the right tires made contact with the right shoulder. The car then spun counter clockwise back onto the roadway, across both lanes, and came to rest on the shoulder of the oncoming lane (approximately one and one-half revolutions). Skid marks on highway confirmed the wheel lock and the spin. Car was shut off and re-started and all systems worked fine. Unable to duplicate the problem.

9 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 08/06/2013

When I apply my brakes at low speed there is a rotational noise in the rear end. I found out on my last recall visit that gm knows of this issue and sent out a document, #pic5781 dated 11/19/2012 saying they were working on the problem. I have contacted gm to see if they have resolved this issue. They reported back to me, after 3 weeks of phone conversations and talking to multiple persons, that the rear drums have to be re-designed and that they are working on the fix. I asked for a letter or email showing me the date my car will be fixed and that it is not a safety issue even though the problem is with the brakes. They refused me a letter or email on this issue and I only talk to someone with a first name. I have heard this same noise since 5/12/2012 but now it is getting louder.

10 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 06/17/2013

Rear noise coming from the brake area. Gm told me they have to re-design the rear brake drums, they wouldn't give me a fix date and wouldn't say if it was a safety problem. Noise is getting louder. Gm produced a document #3213219 Nov 2012 saying they were working on the problem and didn't see it as a safety issue.

11 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 02/16/2012

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LS. The contact stated that while sitting on an incline, the hill holder was engaged yet the vehicle rolled away in reverse. On a separate occasion while driving 45 mph, the brakes started to squeal after being depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for both failures. The dealer confirmed there was corrosion along the rear brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 925 and the current mileage was 1041. Updated 04/25/lj the consumer stated the transmission would not shift into gear. Updated 04/30/12.


Other Service Brakes related problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic


Safety Ratings of Sonic Cars
Fuel Economy of Sonic Vehicles
Sonic Service Bulletins
Sonic Safety Recalls
Sonic Defect Investigations