Recall 11V599 affects 4,296 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles for missing front brake pads. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 4,296 of its 2012 Sonic vehicles because a front brake inner or outer pad can be missing. A missing pad reduces brake system performance and raises crash risk when the defect is present; the Chevrolet dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front disc brake pads on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic are friction blocks mounted inside the brake caliper at each front wheel. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure squeezes the inner and outer pads against the spinning brake rotor. That friction slows the wheel, and the system needs both pads in place to apply force evenly.
On affected Sonic vehicles, a front brake assembly was built with either the inner pad or the outer pad missing. With one pad absent, the caliper cannot press against both sides of the rotor as designed. The remaining pad and metal hardware have to take load they were not meant to carry, which reduces proper brake contact and creates uneven wear.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the pad is missing from assembly, the problem is not something an owner can confirm from pedal feel alone before the brake is inspected.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Chevrolet Sonic | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 4,296 |
A matching 2012 Chevrolet Sonic does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A missing brake pad can reduce brake system performance and increase the risk of a crash. Schedule the recall repair soon and leave extra stopping room until the front brakes are inspected. Repair will be free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is included in this recall.
- Watch for Chevrolet recall instructions tied to your VIN before scheduling service.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and reference recall number 11V599 when you ask about the free front-brake inspection.
- Schedule the brake inspection and pad, caliper, or rotor repair that fixes missing front brake pads if the dealer confirms your VIN is open.
- Drive cautiously until the brake inspection is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available, a Chevrolet technician will inspect the front brakes for a missing inner or outer pad. If a pad is missing, the technician will install new inner and outer pads, a new brake caliper, and a new rotor. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The repair focuses on restoring the complete front brake hardware listed in Chevrolet's remedy, not a software update or owner-installed part.
Timeline
| December 28, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 23, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V599?
Recall 11V599 covers 4,296 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles with a front brake inner or outer pad that can be missing. A missing pad can reduce brake performance and increase crash risk. Chevrolet dealers inspect the front brakes and replace affected parts for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sonic is included in recall 11V599. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and ask for the front brake inspection under this recall. If a pad is missing, the dealer installs the required brake parts for free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Chevrolet's remedy says dealers perform this service free of charge. The dealer inspection is free, and any required front brake pads, caliper, and rotor are covered.
Is it safe to drive my 2012 Chevrolet Sonic?
Recall 11V599 identifies reduced brake system performance as the safety risk if a front brake pad is missing. Check your VIN first. If your Sonic is included, ask a Chevrolet dealer how soon it can inspect the front brakes and whether you should avoid driving until that inspection is complete.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V599000 |
|---|---|
| NHTSA recall # | 11V599 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V599000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →