2012 Chevrolet Sonic Electrical System Problems
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic has 62 Electrical System complaints, 18% of its 354 total complaints for the year. NHTSA lists 4 crashes and 1 fire tied to this area, with a median failure mileage of 38,286. No related recalls are listed for this problem area.
- Electrical System complaints
- 62
- 18% of 354
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 38,286 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Radio or stereo system turns itself back on after the car is shut off, locked, and the alarm is armed, sometimes within seconds of walking away.
- Instrument cluster gauges, including the speedometer, drop to zero unexpectedly, in one case after using the cigarette lighter accessory outlet to charge a phone.
- Vehicle stalls without warning at low speed, in one instance causing a crash into a telephone pole while turning.
- A burning smell was reported while driving, with smoke noticed on the road, though no source was found under the hood.
- Headlights shut off while braking at highway speed at night, leaving only dash lights on and reducing visibility.
When 2012 Chevrolet Sonic electrical complaints were filed
First complaint May 23, 2012, latest Jul 7, 2025.
Electrical System recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Electrical System complaints by Sonic model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many 2012 Chevrolet Sonic owners reported electrical system problems?
- NHTSA lists 62 Electrical System complaints for the 2012 Sonic, which is 18% of the 354 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic electrical system?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the Electrical System on the 2012 Sonic.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2012 Sonic?
- The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2012 Sonic is 38,286 miles.
- Did the 2012 Sonic electrical issues cause any crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data shows 4 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries associated with Electrical System complaints on the 2012 Sonic.
- Is the 2012 Sonic worse for electrical problems than other Sonic years?
- Electrical System complaints made up 18% of total complaints for the 2012 Sonic, lower than the 26% and 33% shares seen in the 2013 and 2014 model years, though 2012 had the highest raw count at 62 complaints.