Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Chevrolet Sonic, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2012 Chevrolet Sonic - 320 complaints in its first 8 years (354 to date)
- 2013 Chevrolet Sonic - 196 complaints in its first 8 years (217 to date)
- 2014 Chevrolet Sonic - 134 complaints in its first 8 years (150 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2017 Chevrolet Sonic - 35 complaints in its first 8 years (37 to date)
- 2016 Chevrolet Sonic - 45 complaints in its first 8 years (48 to date)
- 2015 Chevrolet Sonic - 103 complaints in its first 8 years (114 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Chevrolet Sonic | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2019 Chevrolet Sonic | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Sonic | 14 | 14 | 1 |
| 2017 Chevrolet Sonic | 37 | 35 | 0 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Sonic | 48 | 45 | 2 |
| 2015 Chevrolet Sonic | 114 | 103 | 3 |
| 2014 Chevrolet Sonic | 150 | 134 | 4 |
| 2013 Chevrolet Sonic | 217 | 196 | 6 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Sonic | 354 | 320 | 7 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Sonic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V516000 | 2013 | Air Bags | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. |
| 18V342000 | 2018 | Seats | 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... |
| 16V422000 | 2015-2016 | Equipment | 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. |
| 16V257000 | 2013-2016 | Equipment | 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... |
| 15V416000 | 2015 | Equipment | 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... |
| 14V543000 | 2014 | Air Bags | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured July 28, 2014, to August 1, 2014. |
| 14V417000 | 2012-2014 | Equipment | 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... |
| 14V315000 | 2012 | Power Train | 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... |
| 14V300000 | 2012 | Air Bags | 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... |
| 13V464000 | 2013-2014 | Fuel System, Gasoline | General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013. |
| 13V220000 | 2013 | Exterior Lighting | 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. |
| 13V023000 | 2012 | Air Bags | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. |
| 12V522000 | 2012 | Air Bags | General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. |
| 12V454000 | 2013 | Exterior Lighting | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 29, 2012, through August 29, 2012. |
| 12V408000 | 2012 | Visibility | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured from May 5, 2011, through February 24, 2012. |
| 11V599000 | 2012 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. |