2012 Chevrolet Sonic Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 59about this part
- Share
- 17%of 354 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 59 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, 17% of the 354 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The shift lever button will not release when in park, so the vehicle doesnt not read that its firmly in park; the key wont release and I cannot turn off the vehicle until the button unjams itself or I lubricate it to do so. This has been happening frequently. The only fix is replacing the entire shift lever, which is upwards of $300”
NHTSA complaint #11269558, filed 2019-10, 65,000 miles“Power steering was not working as I was leaving the house, so I had the car towed to the dealer. Mechanic said the voltage from the battery was sporadic and prone to spiking. This spiking caused the power steering to fail, as this vehicle has no surge protector to protect electronic chips. Batter acid had also spilled out of both head mounts causing minor damage to other parts under the hood.”
NHTSA complaint #10781465, filed 2015-10, 55,000 miles“My car keeps shutting completely off even while driving, the radio come on and off by itself and no one can tell me why, this is very dangerous I be driving with my children in the vehicle and the car shuts off while driving in traffic”
NHTSA complaint #11279699, filed 2019-11, 74,000 miles“We do constantly are replacing parts we replaced the window regulator and not even a few months we ha ft to replace again the cooling lines are constantly going out thermostat has been replaced twice now within 2 yrs the seat warmers no longer work been like that the key gets stuck in the ignition had to replace hoses twice constant grinding sounds and no body can figure out why the car is a toy car everything breaks down and not just once”
NHTSA complaint #11024551, filed 2017-09, 9,000 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 milesRelated recalls
- 14V417000Jul 2, 2014General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013…Covers: Chevrolet Sonic 2012–2014, Buick Verano 2013–2014, Chevrolet Cruze 2013–2014 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11010421Oct 3, 2024This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11007196Sep 6, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11007116Aug 6, 2024This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11002441Jun 14, 2024This service bulletin provides information for engine oil life monitor operation calculation.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | 60% |
| 2019 | 1 | 13% |
| 2018 | 6 | 40% |
| 2017 | 5 | 14% |
| 2016 | 11 | 23% |
| 2015 | 34 | 30% |
| 2014 | 49 | 33% |
| 2013 | 56 | 26% |
| 2012 | 59 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
154 complaintsEngine
83 complaintsOther or unknown
49 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsElectronic 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 27, 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