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2012 Chevrolet

Sonic

Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo

Chevrolet Sonic: best and worst years
2012 Chevrolet Sonic (photo 1 of 3)
2012 photoVauxfordCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Compact CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic (S6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

HP
138
Power to weight
0.051 hp/lb
Axle ratio
3.23
Cyl
4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Aspiration
TurbochargedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
36 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG City
27 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG Comb
30 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,100EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Smog score
6/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
SmartWay certified
Yes

Dimensions & capacity

Length
159 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/4/2026
Width
69 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/4/2026
Height
60 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/4/2026
Wheelbase
100 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/4/2026
Curb Weight
2,690 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/4/2026
Pass. Vol
91 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Cargo Vol
14 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
No
Lane-departure warning
No
Recalls
7
Owner complaints
353
Reported injuries
18
Theft rate
0.8 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • POWER TRAIN30%
  • ENGINE16%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER9%
  • AIR BAGS7%
  • SUSPENSION4%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 519 total.

Chevrolet Sonic: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • EA21002Openopened Sep 17, 2021AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  • RQ13002opened May 31, 2013AIR BAGS

    Air Bag Non-deployment

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

1,312 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Apr 1, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHERPIT3271Q

    This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

  • Mar 9, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHERPIP6104

    This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

  • Mar 9, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHERPIP4902V

    This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

  • Jan 8, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHERPIP4902U

    This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

  • Nov 20, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHERPIT5214G

    This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further sup

  • Sep 9, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER13598

    New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

  • Aug 14, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHERPIP4902T

    This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

  • Aug 7, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHERPIC5650M

    This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/or C0775.

  • and 1,304 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
3 yr / 36k mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60k mi
Maintenance
1 yr / 12k mi
EV battery
8 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.