2012 Chevrolet Sonic other reported problems

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NHTSA complaint #11658643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On 4/1/2023 my engine light went on. I had my nephews look at it. see pictures below for engine read and how oil mixed with antifreeze. Also note service paperwork. Gaskets were not up to quality to keep the oil sealed in its compartment. Manager called and tried to take care of issue because he only uses genuine parts but was told there was an issue with this part and until there were more fatalities or more people complained noting could be done. He was NOT happy. They did the best they could resorting to youtube videos and imagination. When I got it back, it was like brand new. Two days later, my engine light came on again. You will find the new engine reading which again had the oil mix with the antifreeze and no oil left. The engine would blow/seize or worse if I kept driving it. I am on disability and live alone. I cannot afford the unpredictability of having something happen to me on the road or where I am suppose to the money. I complained before to a manager at a dealership when I had a problem with my motor when my car was still new. He told me it was supposed to be like that. I keep revving in the middle of traffic lights and people were on my backend when I would get out of work at 3:00 am. The car was recalled two months later to replace many individual motor parts. I am too old and anxious to play these games. Please seriously have look into this please. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA complaint #11517535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On Sunday, my transmission had a Complete Failure; according to the dealership, on Monday afternoon, we had the vehicle towed to Pinkerton in Salem 925 N Electric Rd, Salem, VA 24153 540-562-1337. The vehicle has only had 48,900. They said that there was a flaw possible in the transmission but have been waiting to see if they have a fix for the problem since it was possibly a manufacturing issue since the vehicle was service regularly at the dealership. We were on the highway when this was happening, and the vehicle what to stall out, so we had to come home. On Monday, we had the vehicle towed since it would not reverse out of the driveway.. No warning light, and the car was driving fine until 07/25/2021

NHTSA complaint #11426667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Shift Lever (Gear Shifter) started getting stuck in park when I attempted to put it in drive. My vehicle key would also get stuck in the ignition. These two problems put my personal safety at risk because in not being able to shift from park to drive and (or) take my key out of the ignition, I would be left stranded out in public.

NHTSA complaint #11424806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I PURCHASED A CAR FROM ROYAL KIA ON MAY 29TH A WEEK LATER I FELT A POOL ON THE GAS PEDAL TOOK IT IN TO ROYAL KIA AND HE SAID IT WAS JUST A SHIFTING GEARS SECOND WEEK ALMOST DIED ON ME WHILE DRIVING IT WAS BETWEEN 2:00 AND 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON IT KIND OF FELT LIKE IF IT WAS OVERHEATED AND EVERY TIME I CAME TO A STOP AND TRY TO GO IT ALMOST DIED TOOK IT BACK INTO ROYAL KIA THEY HAVE BEEN GIVING ME SUCH A HARD TIME I DON'T FEEL IT'S SAFE FOR ME I'VE TRIED TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT GIVE ME GIVING ME MY MONEY BACK SO I CAN PURCHASE SOMETHING ELSE IT'S SAFER I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THIS CAR THE GUY FROM ROYAL KIA THE SALESPERSON WANTED TO TAKE IT TO GREEN VALLEY AND TO WORK ON IT AT HIS HOUSE I REFUSE TO LET HIM DO THAT UNTIL THE MANAGER UMBERTO CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR MECHANICS LOOK AT IT BUT HE WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC I JUST DIDN'T TRUST THEM I I'VE BEEN AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR OF GETTING STRANDED SOMEWHERE THIS WEEK ON MONDAY THEY FINALLY GAVE ME A RENTAL I GOT THINGS DONE IN THESE PAST FEW DAYS AND I HAVE WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR

NHTSA complaint #11350413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RADIO IS NOT WORKING. THEREFORE, I AM UNABLE TO HEAR ANY ALARMS (DOOR, BLINKER). I AM ALSO UNABLE TO USE HAND FREE CALLING OR ON STAR. ALSO, THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY ATTEMPT TO START IF THE KEY IS LEFT IN THE IGNITION.

NHTSA complaint #11341320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN I TRIED TO SHIFT GEARS WHILE DRIVING MY CLUTCH IS STUCK AND I CAN'T SWITCH AND IT MAKES A WEIRD SOUND AND STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET.

NHTSA complaint #11323324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY CAR IS RUNNING FINE / ALL RIGHT. NO PROBLEMS!

NHTSA complaint #11322313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING HITTING THE WINDOW WAS FOUND. THE REAR DEFOGGER WAS ON WHEN IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA complaint #11317265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON CHRISTMAS EVE 2018 AND DRAINED BATTERY. RADIO WOULD TURN OFF BUT TURN BACK ON IT'S SELF. CAUSES BATTERY REPLACEMENT. TO TO GM THEY TOOK FUSE 15 OUT NOW HAVE NO SPEAKERS ONSTAR RADIO INCOMING CALLS CRASH RESPONSE

NHTSA complaint #11299959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CHECKED CAR WHILE STATIONED, WHEN RUNNING ALWAYS NEEDS MORE COOLING MAYBE ELECTRICAL BURNOUT OF A PART THAT CONNECTS TO THE RADIATOR FAN. WHEN PUT THE DIAGNOSE CODE, NONE IS GIVEN, AND TEMPERATURE GOES UP TO 225, ITS A HAZARD IF A PERSON DOES NOT KNOW THAT FAN IS NOT WORKING, PUTTING REFRIGERANT ALL THE TIME. READ THAT THERE IS A NEW RE-DESIGN COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA complaint #11292032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAKATA RECALL - THE GASKET OR O RING ON THE OIL FILTER HOUSING KEEP LEAKING. I DONE REPLACED EVERYTHING FROM OIL FILTER TO THE HOUSING. I HAVE ONLY OWN THE CAR FOR 7 MONTHS AND I HAVE ONLY OUT 5000 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW THE SMELL OF THE OIL IS HITTING THE EXHAUST AND SMOKING. I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING WAS LEAKING UNTIL I SMELLED THE OIL HITTING THE EXHAUST.

NHTSA complaint #11216973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

HORN FAILURE. SOUNDED MY HORN AT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE HORN CONTINUED TO SOUND EVEN AFTER I TOOK MY HAD OFF OF IT. THIS CONTINUED ON FOR ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES, INCLUDING TURNING CAR ON AND OFF, UNTIL THE POINT THE HORN COMPLETELY DIED ON IT. HORN HAS INTERMITTENTLY WORKED ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY ON I-55 SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AVE AND PULASKI ROAD IN CHICAGO. THIS IS A MAJOR FAILURE AS IT IS A SMALL CAR AND LARGER VEHICLES (SUVS/SEMI-TRUCKS/ETC.) DO NOT ALWAYS SEE ME. MAKES VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #11196783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

A MONTH AGO, MY 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC TRANSMISSION STARTED NOT SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR AND SEVERELY SHIFTING WHEN PERSUADED. AFTER THAT IT STOPPED RESPONDING IN REVERSE AS WELL, UNLESS I WAS TO INCH FORWARD IN DRIVE ONLY TO SHIFT BACK INTO REVERSE, WHICH FOR A WHILE WORKED. I AM A CITY DRIVER AS WELL AND HAVE ONLY ADDED 2,000 MILES IN 5 MONTHS. NOW AFTER BUYING A USED TRANSMISSION AND HAVING THE SHOP PUT IT IN, IT IS STILL NOT RESPONDING IN REVERSE, WHICH THE PART SOLD TO ME SHOULD HAVE WORKED. HEARING THIS MADE ME COME TO THE REALIZATION THAT IT CANT BE THE TRANSMISSION, BUT I KNOW NEXT TO NOTHING WHEN IT COMES TO VEHICLES. WHEN I SEARCH MY CAR FOR RECALLS THERE ARE NONE BUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSIONS MADE TWO MONTHS AFTER MINE, WHICH TO ME, BECAUSE MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME RESPONSE, THE MANUFACTURING DATE SHOULDN'T MATTER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MANY SHOPS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT, AND I'M NOT SURE IF I TOOK IT TO ACTUAL CROSSROADS CHEVROLET IF THEY COULD FIGURE IT OUT EITHER. I BOUGHT THIS CAR 5 MONTHS AGO FOR $4700.

NHTSA complaint #11192523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WHEN MY CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 15 MILES PER HOUR & MY ENGINE BEGAN TO REV IT'S SELF. AS I ALMOST GOT HIT. I PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT & WAS TRYING TO REVERSE INTO A PARKING SPACE. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I REALIZED I HAD LOST MY REVERSE.

NHTSA complaint #11191447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE GEAR SHUFT ASSEMBLY IS THE ISSUE. THE BUTTON ON THE GEARSHIFT GETS STUCK. THE CAR CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. I REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY ONCE. I MUST NOW REPLACE IT AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11190955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

GEAR SHIFT BUTTON STICKS. UPON ARRIVING AT WORK THIS PAST MONDAY, I TURNED MY CAR OFF BUT THE IGNITION WOULDN'T RELEASE THE KEY. LOOKING CLOSER I REALIZED THE SHIFT BUTTON HAD NOT POPPED OUT LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE. WHICH MEANS I DROVE 26 MILES IN A DANGEROUS VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T GET TO IT FOR FIVE DAYS, OH I'D HAVE TO GET A RENTAL IN THE MEANTIME.I CALLED MY SON WHO MANAGES A NATIONWIDE AUTO PARTS STORE. APPARENTLY THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SONIC VEHICLES. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY ACCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED BUT I CAN SAY IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE GEAR TO SHIFT WHILE DRIVING IT, OR KNOCKED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN PARK. THERE IS A COMMON FIX, REPLACE THE BUTTON. I'VE HAD THAT DONE BUT IT STILL STICKS. ALSO, I HAVE HAD SOME RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT APPLIED, BUT THAT HAS MADE MATTERS WORSE BECAUSE NOW IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET THE SHIFTER BUTTON TO DEPRESS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT, I HAVE TO LEAVE IN THE MORNING TO GO OUT OF TOWN THAT I CAN'T PUT OFF. I'M AFRAID.

NHTSA complaint #11141352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AUTOMATICALLY STOPS

NHTSA complaint #11128606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON INTERIOR IS WHAT SERVICE TOLD ME. SOMETHING BLEW AND NOT ONLY DOES TRANSMISSION NOT WORK BUT THE TIRES WON'T TURN. I SAW A RECALL FOR 2012 CHEVY SONIC, BUT WAS TOLD NOT ON MY VIN NUMBER. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE TRANSMISSION SHAFT, WHICH THEY SAID COULD BE THE REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, ON A STREET AND I TURNED RIGHT, ONTO A JUNCTION WHEN THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THEN DIED AS I ACCELERATED. I COASTED TO THE SIDE AND UP TO A FARM DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #11112541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, NOT WHEN VEHICLE HAS STALLED. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES. STALLS WHILE MOVING AND AT A DEAD STOP. AND A SCENT OF BURNING LIKE A ELECTRICAL SHORT BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS VEHICLE COULD STALL WHILE I AM ON THE ROAD AND CAUSE ME TO BE REAR ENDED CAUSING A SERIOUS CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #11097345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IN MY 2012 CHEVY SONIC, THE SHIFT BUTTON STICKS WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE THE CAR FROM PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, AND DRIVE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE SHIFTER IS FREE TO EASILY SWITCH INTO ANY POSITION. THE CAR IS NEVER FULLY ENGAGED IN PARK, AND SOMETIMES I CANNOT TAKE THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION. MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES, BUT CHEVY WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS, WHICH THEY TYPICALLY REPORT TO BE AROUND $400. THE CAR COULD SHIFT OUT OF PARK ON ITS OWN AND INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE AND STRIKE A PEDIATRIAN OR PROPERTY. NOTE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY VEHICLE, NOT JUST A ONE TIME OCCURANCE.

NHTSA complaint #11089281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IN HOT WEATHER, CAR ALARM WILL SOUND FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED -- EVEN AFTER ENGINE HAS COOLED. THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR AROUND APRIL. I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. IT JUST BEGAN HAPPENING AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11001265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY CHEV SONIC 2012 TRIES TO RESTART BY IT SELF WHEN KEY IS TURNED OFF AND LEFT IN IGNITION AND CAR IS STATIONARY. YOU NEVER NO WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. I DON'T LEAVE THE KEY IN IGNITION AT ALL FOR BEING AFRAID WHAT WILL HAPPEN. NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!

NHTSA complaint #10993822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY ANTIFREEZE PRESSURE HOSE BUSTED,I TOOK IT TO THE DEALLERSHIP THEY SAID THAT I HAD AITIFREEZE IN THE ENGINE. THEY SAY IT WILL ONLY COST ME AROUND $400.00 DOSE THIS SOUND RIGHT .I THINK A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE CAUSE THE HOSE TO BURST AN IT ALL SHOULD.IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS.THE HOSE BUSTED WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA complaint #10945886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAKATA RECALL LATELY ILL TURN THE RADIO OFF GET OUT THE CAR COME BACK HOURS LATER AN ITS ON RIGHT NOW ITS ACTING LIKE IT DONT WANNA TURN OFF IT KEEP POPPING BACK ON NOT SURE WHATS THE PROBLEM HAD THE CAR FOR NOT EVEN A YEAR THE REMOTE STOP WORKING TO.

NHTSA complaint #10904858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT STICKS. WHEN THE BUTTON WON'T POP OUT AFTER BEING PUT INTO GEAR, IT CAN BE BUMPED AND MOVED INTO ANOTHER GEAR CAUSING A SAFETY RISK. THE GEAR SHIFT SHOULD BE RECALLED! ALSO WHEN I'M IN PARK AND IT WON'T POP OUT, MY CAR WILL NOT LET ME REMOVE THE KEYS. AND WHEN THE KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR WON'T LOCK. MY CAR IS ALSO NOW LIKELY TO BE STOLEN.

NHTSA complaint #10891773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

HAS BURNING SMELL OF ANTI FREEZE AND WIRES MELTING. AIR BAGS DON'T WORK ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10891507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FOR AN AUTOMATIC 2012 CHEVY SONIC. GEAR SHIFT KNOB BECAME NONFUNCTIONAL CAUSING KEY TO BECOME STICK IN IGNITION. COULD NOT EXIT VEHICLE. COULD NOT SHIFT INTO D OR SOMETIME OUT OF DRIVE INTO PARK. EVENTUALLY WENT TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE WHOLE UNIT AT A CHARGE TO ME. THE REPLACEMENT UNIT SEEMS TO OCCASIONALLY STICK IN THE SAME WAY HOWEVER HAS NOT CAUSED PROBLEMS YET.

NHTSA complaint #10883031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I NOTICED THE BUTTON ON MY GEAR SHIFT WOULD ALWAYS STICK WHEN I EITHER WENT TO PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR OR INTO PARK. I COULD NOT SHUT THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF UNTIL I GOT THE BUTTON UNSTUCK. THEN, I NOTICED THAT THE BUTTON WAS BROKE. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ANYTIME I USED THE BUTTON. IT HAD BEEN STICKING ON ME FOR A WHILE, BUT I NOTICED IT WAS BROKE ON 6/9/2016.

NHTSA complaint #10873589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.