VehicleVerdict

2012 Chevrolet Sonic transmission problems

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic has 154 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 30% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

154

Transmission complaints

30%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Sonic transmission complaints by model year154 complaints2012: 154 complaints2013: 38 complaints2014: 20 complaints2015: 12 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 1 complaints2020: 3 complaints
Sonic transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

14V315000TransmissionJune 12, 2014 · 21,567 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

What owners report

ON OR AROUND DECEMBER, 2014, THE SHIFT COVER WOULD NOT ATTACH PERMANENTLY. ON OR AROUND MARCH 10, 2014, THE ELECTRICAL ACCESS PLUG DID NOT OPERATE. ON OR AROUND MARCH 6, 2014, MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING AROUND 45MPH, AND WE HIT AN ELK. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 5, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have?

NHTSA has 154 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic transmission — 30% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 14V315000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.