The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that on several occasions, while coming to a stop, the vehicle unexpectedly remained in second gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that several attempts were needed for the vehicle to shift into another gear. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
2012 Chevrolet Sonic transmission problems
154 complaints (44% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 50,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 154
- of this car's complaints
- 44%
- typical mileage
- 50,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission2
- Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Sonic transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Won't shift 20Jerking 15Hesitation 14Transmission failure 10Slipping 5
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 14V315000 · Recall details
What 2012 Chevrolet Sonic owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Transmission shaft malfunction. Doesn't shift out of 1st gear. Transmission does not engage into gear.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The check engine OBD reader had lost communication with the transmission. The contact merged to the side of the road. The contact then went to auto parts store and attempted to change the speed sensor; however, the parts store had given the contact the incorrect part. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was already repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN). The vehicle had lost throttle and power. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and linked the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V315000 (POWER TRAIN). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
While driving on the highway late at night, at approximately 60 mph my 2012 Sonic began to lose power and slowed to a dangerously low speed when there was nowhere for me to pull over! I literally had to coast to a spot that I could barely squeeze off the road! Then would not shift into any workable gear but 1st and after that just revved up loudly. Long story short…had to be towed 35 miles home. Then towed to a reputable garage where they concluded the transmission was shot at about 90,000 miles. Would be around $3800. to rebuild. Come to find out these cars are known for this problem! And yet somehow I’m being told by GM that it’s not included in the Turbine Shaft Fracture Recall for that car’s year/make/model!! WHY?! Needless to say….the car will be junked!
01.24.2023 Purchased Chevy Sonic 2012 three weeks ago (12.27.22) w odometer at 33,688 and manuf. date of 03/2012. It has multiple recalls, inc transmission, that GM has reported resolved. I have had to schedule a transmission rebuild for $3,200.00 in February. After pressing on gas pedal, the vehicle hesitates as though it is going to stall, then lurches forward. On open road it will buck. When slowing down to stop or make turns, it bucks and lurches. The problems duplicate those stated in almost all of the complaints reported on this site. If GM has reported this vehicle as properly repaired, then I am stuck. Also, the questionable low mileage of a ten year old vehicle and dates of the recalls make me wonder about where and when or if all the recalls were truly resolved. There is one accident reported on this vehicle, Sept. 2022; was the accident caused by the same powertrain related problems?
The automatic transmission failed. It failed while I was driving the vehicle. Yes, it was confirmed by a dealer. It has been inspected by the chevy dealer. No, there were not any warning signs prior to the failure.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while coming off the freeway at approximately 30-35 MPH, the vehicle began jerking. The engine revved up as if it intended to accelerate however, the vehicle would then jerk. The contact was able to coast to the destination driving approximately 5-10 mph. The check engine warning light illuminated with a trouble code regarding the engine. The contact who is a certified mechanic determined that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin the federal safety agency ID: 14V315000 (Power Train). The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where the vehicle was waiting to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,410.
My vehicle will not shift out of 1st or 2nd gear. This appears to be part of a recall I just found out about, however my vin # states its not part of the recall.
A few months after this car was purchased, we received the notice regarding recall 14234 for our 2012 Chevy Sonic. However, when we brought it to the dealership, they stated that our vehicle didn't fall under the recall. I told them we were experiencing shaking while shifting and it seemed like the exact same issue. Now about 1 year later with less than 100,000 miles, the car will not shift properly into 3rd gear. The auto repair shop informed us that we need to get a new transmission among many other related repairs. We seem to have the exact same issue as reported in the recall; however, we continue to be informed that our vehicle does not fall under the umbrella of the recall. After doing a number of searches it seems that this is a common story. All these 2012 Chevy Sonics have the same issue yet do not fall under the recall.
I was experiencing issues with the transmission on my vehicle. I lost control and when it stop abruptly in a ditch after hitting a fallen limb of a tree the airbags did not deploy. Since this incident I have extreme pain in neck, dizziness, and weakness in both my arms. My vehicle is not listed as part of the recalls and the violent stop of my vehicle upon hitting the object was severe enough to snap both tierod ends yet airbags did not deploy. I have significant injuries as a result and a wrecked car that I feel was hard to control due to the problematic acceleration of transmission
Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic transmission
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 154 complaints about the transmission of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, 44% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Sonic transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 50,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V315000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Sonic have bad transmission?
The Chevrolet Sonic model years with the most transmission complaints are 2012 (154 complaints), 2013 (38 complaints) and 2014 (20 complaints).
Other 2012 Chevrolet Sonic problems
Engine 87Electrical 59Airbags 34Suspension 19Fuel system 18Brakes 17Acceleration 16Visibility 16Steering 14Body 12Driver assistance 11Lights 6Seat belts 4Wheels 3Locks 1Seats 1Tires 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2012 Chevrolet Sonic?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history