Recall 14V315 affects 21,567 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles for a transmission turbine shaft fracture. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 21,567 2012 Sonic vehicles because the transmission turbine shaft can fracture while driving. If it fails, the car can lose higher gears, slow, or coast until it downshifts, increasing crash risk; the Chevrolet dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic uses a 6 speed automatic transmission to take engine power and send it through the driveline to the wheels. Inside that transmission, the turbine shaft is the rotating shaft that receives power from the torque converter, the fluid coupling between the engine and transmission, and passes that power deeper into the gearbox.
In the recalled Sonics, the transmission turbine shaft can fracture. A fractured shaft no longer carries power through the automatic transmission as designed, so the transmission cannot deliver engine torque through that path. The recall applies to Sonic vehicles equipped with the 6 speed automatic transmission and 1.8L four cylinder engine.
There is no warning sign before failure. Without a listed warning sign, do not count on a light, sound, or shift change to tell you the shaft is about to break.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Chevrolet Sonic | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 21,567 |
Not every 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fractured transmission turbine shaft can leave the Sonic unable to shift into higher gears, or make it coast until it slows enough to downshift. That loss of normal acceleration increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule service soon and use extra care until it is fixed. 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.
- Contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 to confirm repair status before scheduling.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free transmission turbine shaft replacement that fixes the shaft fracture behind the limited-speed or coasting risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V315 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, especially if the transmission fails to upshift or the vehicle starts coasting.
What happens at the repair
GM's remedy for this Chevrolet Sonic recall is a dealer replacement of the transmission turbine shaft. The current remedy status in this article is not marked available, so do not assume the repair can be scheduled until a Chevrolet dealer confirms it against your VIN. Once the remedy is available for your vehicle, a Chevrolet technician replaces the transmission turbine shaft. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor.
Timeline
| June 12, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 8, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V315?
Recall 14V315 covers 21,567 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles with a 6-speed automatic transmission and 1.8L engine. The transmission turbine shaft can fracture, limiting vehicle speed or causing the vehicle to coast before downshifting, which increases crash risk. Chevrolet dealers replace the shaft 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 14V315. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the transmission turbine shaft replacement. Reference recall number 14V315 and Chevrolet recall number 14234 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the safety defect at no cost, and Chevrolet dealers replace the transmission turbine shaft free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
Is it safe to drive a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic with recall 14V315?
The safety risk is loss of normal transmission operation while driving. If the shaft fractures in lower gears, the vehicle will not upshift normally. If it fractures in higher gears, the vehicle will coast until it downshifts, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Chevrolet Sonic used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received Chevrolet's owner notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Sonic is included, then call a franchised Chevrolet dealer or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V315000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-222-1020 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V315 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V315000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →