2012 Chevrolet Sonic vs 2012 Ford Focus
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Chevrolet Sonic | 2012 Ford Focus |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 353 | 3,759 |
| Recall campaigns | 7 | 7 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,587 | 127 |
| Investigations | 2 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 27 | 107 |
| Fire reports | 5 | 15 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 28–32 | 29–31 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 48,000 mi | 69,700 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Sonic | Ford Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 154 | 1,441 |
| Steering | 14 | 927 |
| Engine | 82 | 473 |
| Electrical System | 59 | 352 |
| Structure | 11 | 332 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 16 | 282 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 | 166 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 133 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 36 | 464 |
| Check engine light | 35 | 275 |
| Hesitation / surging | 20 | 287 |
| Vibration / shaking | 8 | 457 |
| Overheating | 8 | 69 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 7 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 7 | 0 |
| Shifting problems | 6 | 102 |
2012 Chevrolet Sonic
2012 Ford Focus
Compare all Chevrolet Sonic vs Ford Focus years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.