2012 Chevrolet Sonic Electrical System Problems
NHTSA component category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How electrical system ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 353 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic overview page.
What owners report
“1. TOOK CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP IN AUG FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND COOLANT IS LOW, CAR OVERHEATS. CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR ALMOST…”NHTSA complaint 10648615 — filed 10/18/2014
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10626289 — filed 08/19/2014
“THE SHIFTER BUTTON/KNOB ALWAYS GETS STUCK. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SO IT WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE PRIOR RECALL REGARDING THE SHIFTER. THE CAR…”NHTSA complaint 10621794 — filed 08/12/2014
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical System complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have electrical system problems?
Electrical System is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic: 56 of 353 complaints on file (15.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have in total?
353 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 27 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 18 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's electrical system category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
