2012 Chevrolet Sonic: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jan 24, 2023 · Transmission · PA

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?

Filed Dec 2, 2021 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 - 60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The failure nearly caused a collision. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V315000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and Della Chevrolet of Plattsburgh (5101 U.S. Ave, Plattsburgh, NY 12901). Both dealers informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Jul 3, 2019 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate and an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v315000 (power train). The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Dec 5, 2016 · Transmission · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that there was a strong hesitation when the vehicle was in first and second gear, as well as when the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle jerked excessively without warning. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v315000 (power train). The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 01/11/2017*ct updated 7/13/18*jb

Filed Oct 20, 2015 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 40,021 miles · OH

For 2 months my check emissions light was coming on and going off. According to my owners manual the gas cap or air filter need fixing. I went to autozone to get a free diagnostics reading. At the end of august my car started to hesitate , won't accelerate at take off. Then started heavy jerking at take off and when sitting still. I bought some liquid and changed air filter, same results. I called chevy dealer to have car checked under my powertrain and my emissions warranty. I have been trying to get help so I could get my car checked next friday on the 23rd. To have them look at my car. But on the 16th of october I'm leaving work I backed out of stall and pulled forward car was dragging roughly. I was waiting to pull out in traffic when car started jutting forward. I press on the gas went forward about 5 to 8 feet and then nothing. I was stuck inmid traffic. The reverse worked so I was able to roll out harms way.

Filed Jul 23, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 38,000 miles · FL

1. Car loses power when accelerating/hesitation - sometimes almost feeling like the car will shut down. It's random but happening more often. Car was repaired once already for this, was better for about 3-4 months and now is doing it again. Extremely dangerous when merging onto highways or making right turns on red or switching lanes. 2. Wiper fluid was not working, recall issue, but not on my car. Repaired once and now not working again! 3. Something's wrong with electrical system, stereo changing stations, turning itself on and off, very loud screeching sounds occasionally, repaired with an update but still happening. 4. Very strange sounds coming from suspension, it started when backing up I was told they could not find a problem 2 times, however, now it's happening while driving, in reverse and it's getting worse! 5. Steering is very difficult on a windy day when on the highway. Very hard to keep the car in the lane. 6. Car feels like it's trying to accelerate when stopped at a light or stop sign with foot on the break. 7. Electrical system/interior lights all dimming when wipers are turned on. Service told me the wiper motor is a big drain on a small engine? Now my car is out of warranty and I still have all these issues!! I do not feel that this car is safe or well built. It took me over 10 years to get to a point where I could afford a new hello, went with chevrolet to keep it "american". I feel like I made a huge mistake purchasing this vehicle....updated 10/20/15 *bf updated 12/06/2017

Filed Feb 10, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 25,000 miles · CO

A few months after purchasing my 2012 chevy sonic, I've noticed a decease in power and hesitation in its automatic shifting between gears. I've taken it in several times with the same issue, and each time the service techs (even the service manager) has told me and explained that it is behaving "normal" and "to design". If it were "normal" why hadn't it done that driving right off the lot??? And why is it, years later, its shifting hesitation has gotten worse to the point of severe jerking as it shifts from one gear to another, as if someone were learning how to drive stick for the first time?????? There is nothing "normal" about how my vehicle is performing. It is complete[xxx] that I've been getting the run around about this issue for years. And they refuse to admit there's a problem, nor will they service it, which makes my vehicle ineligible to be claimed as a lemon, which it obviously is!!! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 24, 2014 · Engine · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate over 10 MPH. In addition, the vehicle stalled when idling and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Dec 9, 2014 · Transmission · 34,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. The contact stated that the transmission became difficult to shift and hesitated to respond. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician diagnosed that the turbo transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the problem persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the technician stated that the valve, transmission fluid and a gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the problem recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a third time but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.

Filed Oct 9, 2014 · Transmission · 69,860 miles · OH

My car hesitates to shift gears between 18-27 MPH and sometimes when I make a right hand turn going down an incline the car acts like its not in gear to drive.

Filed Aug 8, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 1,200 miles · FL

Current mileage is 26,985 1. Car seems to lose power when accelerating and hesitates (almost shutting down), it happens randomly while driving as well and is now happening more and more often. It' very dangerous when crossing intersections or making a right on red and especially dangerous when accelerating to enter a highway. 2. Rear suspension makes strange noises upon backing up/stopping; 3. Very bad odor coming from A/C vents....disgusting, almost smells like plastic burning or burning rotten eggs; 4. I hear strange noises in the back brakes, not constant but random and getting louder when it does happen; 5. Wiper fluid not working, I've been told this is a recall issue; 6. The automatic dashboard lights are constantly changing, most especially when turning the wipers on/off. It doesn't seem to matter if you're in complete darkness or daylight. 7. Sometimes the car will not lock until you put the key back in the ignition, restart the car, take it out of park and put it back in park. Sometimes I have to do this 2 or 3 times, each time getting back out of the car to try to lock it. 8. Steering this car on the highway at highway speeds is difficult...the car swerves and if it's a windy day it's beyond difficult to keep this car in the lane. Very dangerous. 9. The radio turns itself on and off as it pleases. It took me years to be able to finally purchase a new car and now there are not only 6 recalls on the car but I also have all the additional problems listed above. There's a 45 day wait to have the recalls repaired and event with that I am now going to have to take a day off of work without pay to get this crap all fixed! I feel like I have wasted my money. So much for expecting reliability and quality.

Filed Jul 28, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 48,000 miles · FL

My vehicle has been a nightmare. In january I visited the dealership because my heater was not working. At that time I was told I would need to replace my battery soon that it had some leaking acid. Three weeks later I replace the battery. At that time the dealership installed a new battery and sent me on my way. Ive spent thousands since then repairing what the dealership described as a electrical nightmare. I also have told the dealership several times that there are transmission problems with my vehicle. I insisted they drive with me and although the transmission issues have been acknowledged, the dealership has been busy repairing the electrical damage of the battery, the have never touched my transmission. I still have transmission problems. My car hesitates and doesn't accelerate causing me to almost wreck several times. I also have had several ignition problems with my vehicle. One occasion my vehicle would not turn off. The key was in the off position but the car remained running for several hours until the battery was dead. Anther occasion I was pumping gas and the vehicle was turned off. My two young children were in the vehicle and the car started cranking itself. It attempted to start three different times. My car stalls at red lights and will decelerate in the middle of heave traffic. I am frightened to drive my vehicle and fear for me and my childrens safety. I have contacted gm several times and have had my car in for repair numerous times. My salesperson advised me to file a lemon law report and my mechanic described my vehicle as an electrical nightmare. No gm rep can explain why my vehicles battery would have caused this much damage being my car was less than 2 years old. Please help.