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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2011–2020

Chevrolet Sonic recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns and 953 owner complaints for the Chevrolet Sonic, covering model years 2011 to 2020. The 2012 model year drew the most complaints (354), and Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Chevrolet Sonic VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 16 recall campaigns on file
  • 953 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 10 model years with data (2011–2020)
  • most complaints: 2012 (354 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine (239 complaints)
  • latest recall 23V516000 (reported Jul 27, 2023)
  • 91 complaints reporting a crash (9.5%)
  • 18 complaints reporting a fire (1.9%)
  • 57 complaints reporting an injury (6.0%)
  • 2 complaints reporting a death (0.2%)

Chevrolet Sonic complaints by model year

10 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2012 model year has the most complaints: 354 of 953, or 37.1%. Next come 2013 (217) and 2014 (150). The fewest are for 2011, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Chevrolet Sonic owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2011–2020Column chart of 953 complaints across 10 model years. The highest is 2012 with 354. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2011: 1 complaint120112012: 354 complaints35420122013: 217 complaints21720132014: 150 complaints15020142015: 114 complaints11420152016: 48 complaints4820162017: 37 complaints3720172018: 14 complaints1420182019: 8 complaints820192020: 10 complaints102020
Chevrolet Sonic complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Chevrolet Sonic complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
201110000
2012354275171
2013217244150
201415011450
2015114153111
2016488150
2017376140
2018140000
201980000
2020100000
All model years9539118572

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Chevrolet Sonic components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 239 complaints (25.1% of all 953), followed by Power Train (231) and Electrical System (226).

Components named most often in Chevrolet Sonic complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Chevrolet Sonic complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine23925.1%
Power Train23124.2%
Electrical System22623.7%
Unknown or Other16617.4%
Air Bags12613.2%
Fuel/Propulsion System697.2%
Steering545.7%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)394.1%
Service Brakes394.1%
Suspension343.6%
Vehicle Speed Control323.4%
Structure282.9%
Visibility/Wiper252.6%
Exterior Lighting192.0%
Engine and Engine Cooling181.9%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Chevrolet Sonic recalls

16 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Sonic, newest first. The 16 campaigns cover model years 2012 to 2018. The 2012 model year appears in the most campaigns (7).

  • 16 recall campaigns
Chevrolet Sonic recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2012: 7 campaigns2013: 6 campaigns2014: 4 campaigns2015: 3 campaigns2016: 2 campaigns2017: no campaigns2018: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 23V516000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

    Model year 2013

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.

    Consequence:
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 Volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 18V342000

    Reported

    Seats

    Model year 2018

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. A joint in the driver's seat-back frame may not be properly welded, reducing the strength of the seat-back frame.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a rear-impact crash, the seat-back may fail, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat-back, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18178.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 16V422000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Software; Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/CD ETC.

    Model years 2015–2016

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."

    Consequence:
    Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 16V257000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Software; Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/CD ETC.

    Model years 2013–2016

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

    Consequence:
    Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 15V416000

    Reported

    Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/CD ETC.

    Model year 2015

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Because of this, there may be no warning chimes such as the reminder to buckle the seat belt and the key being left in ignition when the driver goes to exit the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 "Occupant Crash Protection", and 114 "Theft Protection."

    Consequence:
    Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 14V543000

    Reported

    Air Bags

    Model year 2014

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured July 28, 2014, to August 1, 2014. Due to a loss of electrical connection in the steering column, in the event of a severe crash, the driver's frontal air bag deployment may be limited to the first-stage deployment only instead of the intended first-stage and second-stage deployments.

    Consequence:
    If only the first-stage of the driver's frontal air bag deploys without the additional second-stage, the driver has an increased risk of injury during a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will test the terminals in the IP harness clock spring coil connector and replace any loose terminals, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14537.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  7. NHTSA campaign 14V417000

    Reported

    Equipment › Electrical

    Model years 2012–2014

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

    Consequence:
    Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  8. NHTSA campaign 14V315000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission

    Model year 2012

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, to June 29, 2012, and equipped with a 6 speed automatic transmission and 1.8L four cylinder engine. In the affected vehicles, the transmission turbine shaft may fracture.

    Consequence:
    If the transmission turbine shaft fracture occurs during vehicle operation in first or second gear, the vehicle will not upshift to the third through sixth gears, limiting the vehicle's speed. If the fracture occurs during operation in third through sixth gear, the vehicle will coast until it slows enough to downshift to first or second gear, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission turbine shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14234.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  9. NHTSA campaign 14V300000

    Reported

    Air Bags

    Model year 2012

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured December 1, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

    Consequence:
    If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020. Buick owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 12V-522 and 13V-023.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  10. NHTSA campaign 13V464000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Mounting

    Model years 2013–2014

    General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013. Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle.

    Consequence:
    If the front fuel tank strap bracket separates, the increased load may lead to the failure of the other tank support. As a result, the fuel tank may come loose from the vehicle causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front fuel tank strap bracket, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13296.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Show 6 more recalls

  1. NHTSA campaign 13V220000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights; Electrical System

    Model year 2013

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

    Consequence:
    If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 13V023000

    Reported

    Air Bags

    Model year 2012

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

    Consequence:
    If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 12V522000

    Reported

    Air Bags

    Model year 2012

    General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

    Consequence:
    If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 12V454000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal; Electrical System

    Model year 2013

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 29, 2012, through August 29, 2012. When a turn signal lamp fails to operate, the Body Control Module (BCM) in these vehicles does not detect this condition and will not indicate the condition to the driver. Thus, These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Consequence:
    If the driver is not aware that the turn signal is not functioning and does not have the light repaired, other drivers may not be alerted that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the BCM and the vehicle's key fobs, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 3, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 12V408000

    Reported

    Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer

    Model year 2012

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 5, 2011, through February 24, 2012. These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems." The windshield wiper washer hose on these vehicles may separate from the washer fluid reservoir. If this occurs, washer fluid will not be available to the windshield.

    Consequence:
    A lack of washer fluid could impede the driver's view, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will secure the windshield washer hose to prevent separation, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 11V599000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads

    Model year 2012

    General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from June 2, 2011, through November 21, 2011. On some of these vehicles, the front brake inner or outer pad may be missing.

    Consequence:
    A missing pad could result in reduced brake system performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brakes for a missing inner or outer pad. If a brake pad is missing, dealers will install new inner and outer pads, a new brake caliper, and a new rotor. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before January 14, 2012

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Chevrolet Sonic questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Chevrolet Sonic have?

NHTSA lists 16 vehicle recall campaigns for the Chevrolet Sonic, covering model years 2011 to 2020. The most recent, 23V516000, was reported on July 27, 2023 and is filed under “Air bags”. The 2012 model year is covered by the most campaigns (7).

Which Chevrolet Sonic model year has the most complaints?

The 2012 model year, with 354 of the 953 complaints in NHTSA’s file (37.1%). The next are 2013 (217) and 2014 (150). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Chevrolet Sonic complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 239 complaints, or 25.1% of all 953. Power Train (231) and Electrical System (226) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Chevrolet Sonic?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Chevrolet dealer.

How many Chevrolet Sonic complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 953 complaints, 91 report a crash, 18 a fire, 57 at least one injury and 2 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Chevrolet models

8 models · most complaints first

The Chevrolet models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Chevrolet VIN decoder with every Chevrolet model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Chevrolet models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.