2012 Chevrolet Sonic Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 5%of 354 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the visibility of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, 5% of the 354 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 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.
“I purchase my car march 2012. Had have been taking it to dealer about the washer fluid not staying in bottle. They told me nothing was wrong. Then took it again for transmission slipping into gear they said again nothing was wrong. Now the transmission is not working and they say the recall is not for my car cause there website says so.it stopped moving on the highway with me having a 2year old in back seat. I finally got my fluid to stay in bottle by some other mechanic.”
NHTSA complaint #11010989, filed 2017-07, 102,000 miles“The outside door mirrors are small and have blind spots. I've lost sight of vehicles I know where behind me. When GM became aware of this overlook in design of the 2012 chevy Sonic, 2013 models were installed with the same size mirror with a small convex as part of the mirror to detect areas previous mirrors could not detect. This is a safety issue and I feel there should be a recall by GM to replace these mirrors.”
NHTSA complaint #10502458, filed 2013-03, 1,500 miles“I went to go some place when I noticed the passenger side of my windshield cracked. There is no chip indicating that something had hit it. The crack seems to have started from the edge of the windshield. It seems that the windshield had twisted. The crack is approx 8 to 12 inches and circles into an up side down u. I believe GM should look into this problem. I have checked to see if GM has a recall and they do not.”
NHTSA complaint #10537134, filed 2013-08, 9,215 miles“It was a foggy night I had just got off work I started my car like any other normal day/night except this night I used my rear defrost I proceed to leave my job as I been to get off the on ramp to the highway my entire back glass explodes and bust out causing glass to shatter everywhere and leaving me without a rear window and costly repairs. I'm not sure if there is a recall on this but there definitely should be as this can cost many people thousands of dollars if everytime the rear defrost is cut on there a possibility my window could bust and I get covered with glass”
NHTSA complaint #11217668, filed 2019-06, 80,300 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11057885, filed 2018-01, 62,127 milesRelated recalls
- 12V408000Aug 20, 2012General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 5, 2011, through February 24, 2012. These vehicles…Covers: Chevrolet Sonic 2012
Related service bulletins
- 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.
- 11006511Jul 31, 2024This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
- 10247780Sep 26, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General…
- 10232283Feb 17, 2023This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
- 10230697Dec 15, 2022This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
154 complaintsEngine
83 complaintsElectrical system
59 complaintsOther or unknown
49 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
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 28, 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