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Air bagsPart report

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Air bags Problems

Complaints
34about this part
Share
10%of 354 total for the year
Median mileage
52,306miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, 10% of the 354 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,306 miles. 18 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving and turning left into a plaza parking lot when another vehicle hit mine very hard as they were going really fast. They hit the front end of my vehicle completely damaging the grill, front bumper and all of the supports for them. Even though my car took a hard impact by another vehicle, the driver's side airbag did not deploy. I, as well as the cops that were on duty, were very concerned by this fact.”

NHTSA complaint #11355119, filed 2020-09, 96,000 miles

“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”

NHTSA complaint #10968412, filed 2017-03, 60,000 miles

“Air bag light will not go off - air bags will not deploy (per the mechanic). Took to our local dealership and was told the air bag module would not update and needed to be replaced at a cost of $750.00. How can a part that has never been used not be able to be updated without having to purchase a new one. I see all the recalls on this car / this model / this year regarding airbags. I think this is something that also needs to be addressed.”

NHTSA complaint #10735246, filed 2015-07, 72,000 miles

“I was involved in a crash in which I was on the highway, traffic was congested due to another accident and construction. Me and the vehicle ahead of me were at a complete stop as was everyone else, when I was rear ended pretty forcefully and to the point that after slamming harder on my breaks, my vehicle was still shoved into the truck in front of me. My complaint is that my airbag never even deployed. I was struck pretty hard as well as shoved into the vehicle in front of me that crunched my car at both ends. …”

NHTSA complaint #11066611, filed 2018-02, 129,000 miles

“I was going down denton road and hit a deer going 55 MPH. The front of my car was damaged really bad almost $5,000.00 of damage. I have two slipped disk in my back because of the incident. My airbags did not deploy”

NHTSA complaint #10717436, filed 2015-05, 74,628 miles

Related recalls

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2020110%
201817%
2017616%
2016817%
20152724%
20142416%
20132512%
20123410%

Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

Transmission and drivetrain
154 complaints
Engine
83 complaints
Electrical system
59 complaints
Other or unknown
49 complaints
Suspension
19 complaints
Fuel system
18 complaints
Brakes
17 complaints
Vehicle speed control
16 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaints
Steering
14 complaints
Body and structure
12 complaints
Electronic stability control
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology