2012 Chevrolet Sonic vs 2013 Chevrolet Sonic
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Chevrolet Sonic | 2013 Chevrolet Sonic |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 353 | 217 |
| Recall campaigns | 7 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,587 | 1,723 |
| Investigations | 2 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 27 | 24 |
| Fire reports | 5 | 4 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 28–32 | 28–32 |
| Median reported mileage | 48,000 mi | 52,861 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Sonic | Chevrolet Sonic |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 154 | 38 |
| Engine | 82 | 55 |
| Electrical System | 59 | 56 |
| Air Bags | 34 | 25 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 16 | 13 |
| Suspension | 19 | 8 |
| Steering | 14 | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 14 | 11 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 36 | 10 |
| Check engine light | 35 | 19 |
| Hesitation / surging | 20 | 9 |
| Vibration / shaking | 8 | 8 |
| Overheating | 8 | 7 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 7 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 7 | 5 |
| Shifting problems | 6 | 0 |
2012 Chevrolet Sonic
2013 Chevrolet Sonic
Compare all Chevrolet Sonic vs Chevrolet Sonic years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.