2012 Chevrolet Sonic: jerking or lurching

Filed Apr 24, 2025 · Brakes · 159,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on, the brakes, ABS, traction control, and braking system warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle took longer than normal to slow down. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle taken to a dealer where it was it diagnosed and determined that the brake booster pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

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 Sep 28, 2022 · Transmission · 87,410 miles · CA

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.

Filed Oct 8, 2019 · Transmission · SC

My car jerks when it downshifts. It's been doing this about a year after I got it. Got it checked out at the dealership and they said it's not a problem. Fast forward...it's worse. The car jerks in second and first downshifting. Doesn't matter if I'm driving on the interstate or city street.

Filed Jun 1, 2017 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. While driving approximately 65 MPH with the gear shifter in drive, the transmission downshifted into second gear. The vehicle then decelerated to 30 MPH, jerked back and forth with a loud unknown noise, and then went into idle mode. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic (lowell automatic transmission in ma), where it was diagnosed that the turbine fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer (lannan chevrolet located at 831 rogers st, lowell ma, 01852) where it was diagnosed that the transmission shaft failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v315000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Mar 6, 2017 · Transmission · 66,200 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. While attempting to accelerate and making a right turn depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked forward and decelerated. The gear failed to shift out of first gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v315000 (power train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,200.

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 27, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 111,000 miles · FL

Car started misfiring when accelerating and would jerk and be very rough when idling but no engine light. Full tune up found that open valve cover gasket was damaged and that seals were plastic when they should've been rubber, this caused oil to enter the spark plug wells. Changed gasket and seals but problem persisted. Took to the dealership and was told that ignition switch in cylinder 1 was bad, this corrected the issue but now car has burning smell at times.

Filed Feb 13, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 64,000 miles · MD

When I press the gas pedal the rpms shoot up but car excelerates slowly. It jerks hard when switching to another gear and takes several minutes to finally get to a safe speed. Sometimes the car struggles to go uphill and hardly able to reverse. Dealership cleared my engine codes during my last oil change. Check engine light came back on a week later, autozone pulled 3 codes (p0700, p0300 and p0717). Changed my spark plugs, used lucas oil/5.25 oz. Fuel treatment twice but still no change. Sometimes I can smell burning rubber. This problem makes it hard to safely merge onto highways and get through traffic lights fast enough. Now autozone has accidentally cleared my codes so I can't see if any of the above listed codes have been resolved.

Filed Dec 28, 2015 · 67,000 miles · NH

This vehicle has had "undiagnosable" problems aince it hit 1200 miles. I have made 57 visits to chevy dealerships for attempted diagnostics and repairs. The car has lurched forward of its own accord, my brakes have failed to engage on a single occasion, the car has intermittently shut off during idle, the car has also had issues with shifting for the last 2 years. A 3 year battle has yeilded no answers or improvement; I was unable to utilize the lemon law because the issues couldn't be diagnosed. Finally the car is showing codes for what I believe is the transmission based on how poorly the car is running. I can provide information for the dealerships I have worked with; they have all the documentation for the obscene number of visits I've made with this car.

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 Jun 8, 2015 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 63,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet sonic. While driving 55 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began to jerk and the traction control and check engine lights appeared. The vehicle stalled and was coasted over to the side of the road. The dealer diagnosed that the fuel module failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 63,000.