2012 Chevrolet Sonic
US · Midsize Cars
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is listed in the US market with gasoline power. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.
- Engine
- Varies by configuration: 1.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 1.8L 4-cylinder
- Power
- Not available
- Torque
- Not available
- Transmission
- Varies by configuration: Automatic, Manual
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Seating
- Not available
Key Performance & Dimensions
Engine
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Varies by configuration: 1.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 1.8L 4-cylinder | |
| Displacement | 1.4 L to 1.8 L | |
| Cylinders | 4 | |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged | |
| Fuel type | Gasoline | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Not available from our sources: Power, Torque.
Transmission and drivetrain
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Varies by configuration: Automatic, Manual | |
| Gears | 5 to 6 | |
| Drivetrain | FWD | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Fuel economy and range
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Combined | 32 mpg (7.4 L/100 km) to 28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km) | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
| City | 28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km) to 24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) | |
| Highway | 38 mpg (6.2 L/100 km) to 34 mpg (6.9 L/100 km) |
Not available from our sources: Electric range, Battery capacity.
Trims and configurations
8 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked October 14, 2026.
14V417000: 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…
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…
Reported July 2, 2014. View on NHTSA
14V315000: 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.
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.
Reported June 12, 2014. View on NHTSA
14V300000: 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…
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.…
Reported June 6, 2014. View on NHTSA
13V023000: 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.
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.
Reported January 24, 2013. View on NHTSA
12V522000: 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.
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.
Reported October 31, 2012. View on NHTSA
12V408000: 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…
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.
Reported August 20, 2012. View on NHTSA
11V599000: 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.
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…
Reported December 28, 2011. View on NHTSA
Data sources
- EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved October 14, 2026 · US Government public data
- NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 14, 2026 · US Government public data
Source checked: October 14, 2026
Data verified: October 14, 2026
Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.
Related vehicles
- 2013 Chevrolet Sonic
Gasoline
Varies by configuration: 1.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 1.8L 4-cylinder · FWD
32 mpg (7.4 L/100 km) to 28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km)
Frequently asked questions
What engine does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic have?
Varies by configuration: 1.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 1.8L 4-cylinder. Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic?
Combined fuel economy is 32 mpg (7.4 L/100 km) to 28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km), as published by the source shown in the specification table.
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?
Drivetrain: FWD.
Are there recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked October 14, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.