Makes›Chevrolet›Sonic›2012

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz, 5dr Hatchback Ls/Lt/Ltz
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
32 combined · 28 city / 38 hwy
Length
159.1–173.2 in
Curb weight
2,690–2,727 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
7 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 34% better than the average 2012 midsize car (23.9 MPG).

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (1.4L 4-cyl turbo and 1.8L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 173 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 100-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,727 lb (4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (28 city / 38 highway), 34% better than the 2012 midsize car average of 23.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,100 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 248 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz173.2 in68.5 in59.8 in99.6 in59.4 / 59.4 in2,727 lb62/38
5dr Hatchback Ls/Lt/Ltz159.1 in68.5 in59.8 in99.6 in59.4 / 59.4 in2,690 lb62/38

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sonic 51.4L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive28 / 38 / 32+34%$2,100278
Sonic1.4L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive28 / 38 / 32+25%$2,100278
Sonic1.4L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 30+17%$2,250296
Sonic 51.4L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 30+26%$2,250296
Sonic 51.8L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 34 / 29+21%$2,300306
Sonic1.8L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 34 / 29+13%$2,300306
Sonic 51.8L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 28+17%$2,400317
Sonic1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 28+9%$2,400317
Save $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.9 MPG2012 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic.

Similar 2012 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Chevrolet Sonic (this car)32 MPGNot rated7
2012 Toyota Corolla29 MPGNot rated5
2012 Honda Civic44 MPGNot rated4
2012 Toyota Prius50 MPGNot rated7
2012 Hyundai Elantra32 MPGNot rated5
2012 Ford Focus32 MPGNot rated10
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer28 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (7)

Equipment › Electrical · Jul 2, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V417000 · 2,990 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Risk
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Jun 12, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V315000 · 21,567 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, to June 29, 2012, and equipped with a 6 speed automatic transmission and 1.8L four cylinder engine. In the affected vehicles, the transmission turbine shaft may fracture.
Risk
If the transmission turbine shaft fracture occurs during vehicle operation in first or second gear, the vehicle will not upshift to the third through sixth gears, limiting the vehicle's speed. If the fracture occurs during operation in third through sixth gear, the vehicle will coast until it slows enough to downshift to first or second gear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission turbine shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14234.
Air Bags · Jun 6, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V300000 · 31,520 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Risk
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023.
Air Bags · Jan 24, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V023000 · 4,167 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Risk
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Air Bags · Oct 31, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V522000 · 2,949 vehicles

Problem
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Risk
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
Fix
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer · Aug 20, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V408000 · 44,668 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 5, 2011, through February 24, 2012. These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems." The windshield wiper washer hose on these vehicles may separate from the washer fluid reservoir. If this occurs, washer fluid will not be available to the windshield.
Risk
A lack of washer fluid could impede the driver's view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will secure the windshield washer hose to prevent separation, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads · Dec 28, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V599000 · 4,296 vehicles

Problem
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE FRONT BRAKE INNER OR OUTER PAD MAY BE MISSING.
Risk
A MISSING PAD COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKES FOR A MISSING INNER OR OUTER PAD. IF A BRAKE PAD IS MISSING, DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW INNER AND OUTER PADS, A NEW BRAKE CALIPER, AND A NEW ROTOR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 14, 2012
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

248Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
16Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
12Injuries reported
57,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train111
Engine59
Unknown Or Other44
Electrical System36
Air Bags23
Vehicle Speed Control12
Fuel/Propulsion System11
Service Brakes9
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/05: 121/07: 221/11: 121/12: 122/01: 222/04: 122/05: 122/08: 122/09: 323/01: 223/03: 123/04: 123/05: 123/06: 123/08: 124/01: 224/03: 124/07: 124/11: 125/04: 225/05: 125/07: 126/02: 226/08: 121/0521/1222/0523/0123/0524/0124/1125/07max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Chevrolet Sonic buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 111 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Engine — 59 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 36 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 57,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Sonic years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2020 Sonic29174 in★★★★★010
2019 Sonic31174 in★★★★★08
2018 Sonic32174 in★★★★★115
2017 Sonic32174 inNot rated037
2016 Sonic32173.2 inNot rated248
2015 Sonic32173.2 inNot rated3114
2014 Sonic32173.2 inNot rated4137
2013 Sonic32173.2 inNot rated6180

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →