2012 Chevrolet Sonic Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 353 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic overview page.
What owners report
“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
“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
“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
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic: 151 of 353 complaints on file (42.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have in total?
353 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 27 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 18 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
