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2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Sedan (Manual)

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Sedan (Manual) is a 138-hp 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 sedan with a 6-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $16,535 MSRP and is rated at 33 mpg combined.

It makes 138 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 148 lb-ft of torque at 1850 rpm, spinning to a 6,500 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway (33 mpg combined).

The Sonic measures 173.1 inches long on a 99.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,806 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$16,535 ($23,405 *)
MSRP with Destination$17,295 ($24,481 *)
Destination Charge$760
Engine
Engine TypeEcotec 1.4L Turbo I4
Displacement1.4 L
Horsepower138 hp @ 4,900 rpm
Torque148 lb-ft @ 1850 rpm
Redline6,500 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 16 valves, VVT
Bore and Stroke2.9 x 3.3 in (73.7 x 83.8 mm)
Compression Ratio9.5:1
Injection TypeSequential multi-port fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission6-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City29 MPG
Highway40 MPG
Combined33 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded (87 octane)
Tank Capacity12.2 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent, lower control arms, coil springs, gas shocks
Rear SuspensionSemi-independent torsion beam, coil springs, gas shocks
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front17" x 8.0"
Wheels Rear17" x 8.0"
Tires FrontP205/50R17
Tires RearP205/50R17
Dimensions & Weight
Length173.1 in
Width68.3 in
Height59.7 in
Wheelbase99.4 in
Front Track59.4 in
Rear Track59.4 in
Ground Clearance4.9 in
Cargo Volume14 ft³
Curb Weight2,806 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.7 in
Headroom Rear37.8 in
Legroom Front41.8 in
Legroom Rear34.6 in
Shoulder Room Front53.4 in
Shoulder Room Rear53 in
Hip Room Front51.4 in
Hip Room Rear51.6 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (12.6 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 4 DR FWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 5 DR FWD: 5 ★ overall

Recalls

7 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet SONIC. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jul 2, 2014 · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

Consequence: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

NHTSA campaign 14V417000

Jun 12, 2014 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 14V315000

Jun 6, 2014 · AIR BAGS

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Consequence: If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023.

NHTSA campaign 14V300000

Jan 24, 2013 · AIR BAGS

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Consequence: If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

NHTSA campaign 13V023000

Oct 31, 2012 · AIR BAGS

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

Consequence: If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

NHTSA campaign 12V522000

Aug 20, 2012 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 5, 2011, through February 24, 2012. These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems." The windshield wiper washer hose on these vehicles may separate from the washer fluid reservoir. If this occurs, washer fluid will not be available to the windshield.

Consequence: A lack of washer fluid could impede the driver's view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will secure the windshield washer hose to prevent separation, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

NHTSA campaign 12V408000

Dec 28, 2011 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE FRONT BRAKE INNER OR OUTER PAD MAY BE MISSING.

Consequence: A MISSING PAD COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKES FOR A MISSING INNER OR OUTER PAD. IF A BRAKE PAD IS MISSING, DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW INNER AND OUTER PADS, A NEW BRAKE CALIPER, AND A NEW ROTOR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 14, 2012

NHTSA campaign 11V599000

354 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet SONIC

Owner Complaints

354 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet SONIC (27 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 17 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train154
Engine83
Electrical System59
Unknown Or Other46
Air Bags34
Suspension19
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 20, 2026 · Structure, Service Brakes, Engine
“I purchased a 2012 Chevy Sonic with 65k miles on it from Carvibe LLC earlier this month. When I took it into Firestone for a full inspection, they found that the car has severe rusting to the…”
Feb 25, 2026 · Power Train
“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…”
Feb 2, 2026 · Power Train
“Transmission shaft malfunction. Doesn't shift out of 1st gear. Transmission does not engage into gear.”
Jul 7, 2025 · Electrical System
“Reviving the p2138 code for throttle/accelerator sensor. Still getting code after replacing 3 accelerator peddles. Possible manufacture issue with wiring that water gets into connectors shorting out…”
May 3, 2025 · Vehicle Speed Control, Unknown Or Other, Engine
“UNKNOWN”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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