Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train (42.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Power Train complaints here are 5.0× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 151 · 42.8% | Recalled | Recall 14V315000 |
| Engine | 82 · 23.2% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 56 · 15.9% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags | 34 · 9.6% | Recalled | Recall 14V300000 · Recall 12V522000 · Recall 13V023000 |
| Suspension | 19 · 5.4% | No official action | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 16 · 4.5% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 353 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 14V417000 · 2014 · reported 07/02/2014
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V315000 · 2014 · reported 06/12/2014
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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V300000 · 2014 · reported 06/06/2014
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11V599000 · 2011 · reported 12/28/2011
A MISSING PAD COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V408000 · 2012 · reported 08/20/2012
A lack of washer fluid could impede the driver's view, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V522000 · 2012 · reported 10/31/2012
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V023000 · 2013 · reported 01/24/2013
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFTER SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE SHIFT LEVER BECAME…”NHTSA complaint 10658656 — filed 11/17/2014 · POWER TRAIN
“BUTTON ON SHIFTER KNOB THAT ALLOWS CAR TO BE PUT INTO GEAR GETS STUCK AND EVENTUALLY BREAKS. THIS ALLOWS THE CAR TO ACCIDENTALLY BE PUT…”NHTSA complaint 10653391 — filed 11/07/2014 · POWER TRAIN
“BEGINNING FROM THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. APPROX. 28,000 MI. AT COLD START THERE IS A RATTLE NOISE LIKE METAL ON METAL. THEN WILL DISAPPEAR…”NHTSA complaint 10648627 — filed 10/19/2014 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 151 of 353 NHTSA complaints (42.8%), followed by engine (82), electrical system (56), unspecified/other issues (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
353 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 27 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 18 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V417000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
