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Service bulletins for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

1589 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

By type

By component

By trouble code

By topic

Bulletins, newest first
PIP51172017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with a service repair tip about using caution during service procedures involving plastic components. Technicians will need to take special precautions when servicing today?s engines to avoid damage to these components.
PIT4720C2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that after replacing the Instrument Panel Cluster the exchange center is unable to program the actual mileage on the odometer or the actual mileage is unknown. Dealer will need to follow dealer to the General Motors service policies and procedures manual section 3.2.4 odometer servicing.
PIC58792017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with a diagnostic tip to inspect grounds G100 through G107 when diagnosing various electrical complaints. Technician will clean, repair and/or torque the ground as necessary and re-evaluate the concern.
PIC5703A2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a fuel gauge is inoperative and the gauge is stuck on (E) with a full tank of fuel. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P0461 set in the Engine Control Module. Technician can clear the Diagnostic Trouble Code and the gauge will work. Technician will ensure that the customer is not frequently topping off the fuel tank and overfilling the fuel tank past the automatic shut-off of the pump.
PIP5050B2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a vibration that is only present in fourth gear when lugging the engine. Technician will need to contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center with all the vibration data for further assistance.
PIT5030E2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank. Dealer will ensure the customer is fully extending the key.
PIC5704A2017-08-15. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES; EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that had the Brake Pressure Modulator Valve now Diagnostic Trouble Code C0131 is set current. Technician should remove Brake Pressure Modulator Valve assembly and inspect the brake pressure sensor assembly to ensure all shipping material has been removed before installation.
PIC4788E2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of diagnostic instructions to take when the key will not fold into the fob or will not stay in the folded position. The technician may comment that the key in the fob will not fold close or stay latched closed. Damage to the folding mechanism could result from storing the key in the door lock cylinder and accidently bumping or making contact with the key fob. Please advise all dealer personnel to refrain from storing the key in the door lock even for brief periods.
PIC4707D2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have at times the XM Traffic or Weather for the local area takes several minutes to update and may read "NO DATA" or "UPDATING" during that time. Technician should be advised that Traffic and Weather data from local reporting stations and then send the updated info process may take up to 24 minutes. Technician should test for full operation of the XM band if the system has not started receiving the Traffic and weather update within 30 minutes. Also ensure the customer has not shut XM NavTraffic off in the user settings of the navigation radio. Technician will need to contact XM customer assistance to review the account status and verify that the XM Traffic option has been enabled and is available in the area.
PIC5753B2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH; STEERING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some customers may comment that when returning to the vehicle the ignition key requires high effort or may not turn from the lock position. Technician should be advised that this model is equipped with a steering column lock. If the vehicle is turned off with the steering wheel turned it may rotate back against the steering lock causing the lock to bind, resulting in the key cylinder binding.
PIP51052017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that the special tool EN-6009 will need to be used to remover and install the ignition module.
PIC5753A2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH; STEERING; EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some customers may comment that when returning to the vehicle the ignition key requires high effort or may not turn from the lock position. Technician should be advised that this model is equipped with a steering column lock. If the vehicle is turned off with the steering wheel turned it may rotate back against the steering lock causing the lock to bind, resulting in the key cylinder binding.
PIT5119B2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the keyless entry is inoperative. Technician should inspect the ignition key cylinder door sticks in the up position. If the door is found open do not replace the ignition key cylinder, use a Lubriplate type of lubrication spray and lubricate the ignition key cylinder door. Insert the tip of the key in and out to verify the door of the cylinder is not sticking.
PIC5491B2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an OnStar system that will not power up. Technician should turn off the ignition and cancel retained accessory power. After the vehicle has powered down, remove power to the OnStar module for five minutes. After the power has been removed for five minutes, if the OnStar system is working release the vehicle. If the OnStar system is still inoperative continue with published Service Information diagnostics.
PIT4945E2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician being unable to program fobs to the vehicle. Technician will need to ensure the key FOB is a new unit and has not been programmed to another vehicle previously.
PIC5710A2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a no crank. Technician will find Diagnostic Trouble Code B1380. Technician will need to check for aftermarket part installed into the vehicle. Technician should check all the power mode voltages with the ignition switch installed. If no after-market electrical devices are found and the power modes are incorrect, replace the ignition switch.
PIP3140E2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that a noise or a vibration in the vehicle that seems to be abnormal may not have been there when the vehicle was purchased. Technician should look for Non - General Motors aftermarket accessories installed on the vehicle that can cause these issues.
PIC58182017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the radio will shut off intermittently after a cold start or after cycling of high load devices such as rear de-fogger. Dealer should communicate to the customer that we apologize for this inconvenience and that General Motors is working on a solution for this concern.
PIC5615B2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that intermittently the Instrument Panel Cluster may go inoperative and the only thing working is the check engine light or the Instrument Panel Cluster backlighting intermittently flashes on and off. Technician should inspect fuse F26DA in the Instrument Panel fuse block for a spread terminal and a damaged fuse. Technician should follow the latest version of PIC5813 if a terminal is found spread.
PIP50942017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that, when testing any circuit for open or resistance, it is imperative that all related terminal pin fit and tension be checked when the test steps require disconnection of the connector or component, prior to any component replacement. Always use the recommended terminal test tool during these tests.
PIC58132017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have loose terminals in the Instrument Panel Fuse Block and is seeking direction since Service Information Indicates the terminals are not serviceable. Technician can be replace the terminal using Terminal 2-964284-1 which can be found in the J38125 Terminal Kit and is in Lear Tray 25.
PIP5036C2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have oil consumption or blue smoke from the exhaust. Technician will need to inspect the engine oil level and inspect the positive crankcase ventilation hoses, turbo housing, spark plugs, cylinders, intake manifold and air ducts for signs of excessive oil. Technician will also need to follow the latest versions of PI0552 and PIP4925. Technician will need to remove all pistons and inspect ring condition and for cracks between the number 1 and 2 compression ring lands, if no air leaks are found. If cracked piston ring lands are found, then inspect the cylinder head to determine first or second design. Technician will need to replace the cylinder head if it is the 1st design. Also the pistons rings will need to be placed.
PIP4543C2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about a concern with diagnostic trouble codes P0011, P0014, P0016, or P0017 in the engine control module after a repair involving the camshaft actuators. There is a unique black plastic oil sleeve that is between the end of the cam actuator and the camshaft. This sleeve directs oil into the actuator to adjust the timing. If the sleeve is damaged or missing, the engine control module cannot control the cam actuator movement and will set the diagnostic trouble codes.
PIP4543B2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about a concern with diagnostic trouble codes P0011, P0014, P0016, or P0017 in the engine control module after a repair involving the camshaft actuators. There is a unique black plastic oil sleeve that is between the end of the cam actuator and the camshaft. This sleeve directs oil into the actuator to adjust the timing. If the sleeve is damaged or missing, the engine control module cannot control the cam actuator movement and will set the diagnostic trouble codes.
00-03-10-002J2017-08-15. Service bulletin. WHEELS. This informational bulletin provides information on chemical staining, pitting, and corrosion on wheels and the proper cleaners to use to fix the conditions due to multiple causes.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.