Skip to main content
CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

2012 Chevrolet Sonic 5

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

8

7 current

Combined

8L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$2,480

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2014306 · manufacturer campaign 12261B

22 July 2014

Transport Canada lists: Verano 2012 · Camaro 2012 · Cruze 2012 · Sonic 2012

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the primary stage of the driver’s airbag may not deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted). Failure of an airbag to deploy correctly could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2012368.

5,003 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Accessories

Transport Canada recall 2014274 · manufacturer campaign 14257

3 July 2014

Transport Canada lists: Encore 2013–2014 · Verano 2013–2014 · Cruze 2011–2014 · Sonic 2012–2014 · and 1 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, insulation on the engine block heater power cord may become damaged if the cord is handled during very cold days (temperatures below -25C). This could create an electrical shock hazard, which could result in personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the block heater cord.

17,144 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety TC

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 2014229 · manufacturer campaign 14234

12 June 2014

Transport Canada lists: Sonic 2012

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with a 1.8L engine and 6 speed automatic transmission, the transmission turbine shaft may fracture, disabling transmission gears 3 through 6. If this were to occur while the transmission is in 1st or 2nd gear, the transmission would fail to up-shift past 2nd gear, limiting vehicle speed. If this were to occur while the transmission is in 3rd through 6th gear, motive power would be lost and the vehicle would coast until vehicle speed was reduced to allow the transmission to down-shift to 2nd gear. Limited vehicle speed or a loss of motive power could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the transmission turbine shaft.

3,337 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2014213 · manufacturer campaign 12261

6 June 2014

Transport Canada lists: Verano 2012 · Camaro 2012 · Cruze 2012 · Sonic 2012

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the primary or secondary stage of the driver’s airbag may not deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted). Failure of an airbag to deploy correctly could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil. Note: This recall is superseded by recall 2014306.

5,003 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2012368 · manufacturer campaign 12261

30 October 2012

Transport Canada lists: Verano 2012 · Camaro 2012 · Cruze 2012 · Sonic 2012

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the primary stage of the driver’s airbag may not deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted). Failure of an airbag to deploy correctly could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil.

1,011 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Visual System

Transport Canada recall 2012283 · manufacturer campaign 12176

17 August 2012

Transport Canada lists: Sonic 2012

What is wrong

On certain units, the windshield washer hose may separate from the washer fluid reservoir. If this occurs, washer fluid will not be available to clean the windshield. This could impede the driver's visibility, possibly causing a crash resulting in property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will secure the windshield washer hose.

7,161 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2011440 · manufacturer campaign 11354

23 December 2011

Transport Canada lists: Sonic 2012

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the front brake inner and/or outer pads may have been omitted during vehicle assembly. This could increase stopping distances, possibly resulting in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect the front brakes and, as necessary, install brake pads, and replace the calipers and rotors.

1,215 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Subcompact
In its class
More efficient than 89% of 103 2012 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
184 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 5 and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

Only when a new recall lands. Unsubscribe in one click.

Common questions

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 5 have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 8 recalls on record for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 5. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 5 get?
NRCan rates the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 5 at 8 L/100 km combined, emitting 184 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 3 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 5 for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $2,480 in fuel, producing roughly 3,696 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.