Chevrolet Sonic Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 953 consumer complaints across the 9 model years of the Chevrolet Sonic (2012–2020) that have at least 5 complaints. 2012 has the most, with 354. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (239 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Sonic model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 10 | 3,400 | 0 | 545 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 8 | 47,600 | 0 | 580 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 15 | 27,475 | 1 | 821 | — | Falling |
| 2017 | 37 | 42,800 | 0 | 964 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2016 | 48 | 47,500 | 2 | 1,084 | 6 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 114 | 35,000 | 3 | 1,332 | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 150 | 50,664 | 4 | 1,507 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 217 | 50,000 | 6 | 1,726 | 81 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 354 | 45,000 | 7 | 1,589 | 100 · More | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine239 21%
- Transmission and drivetrain231 20%
- Electrical system227 20%
- Other or unknown168 14%
- Air bags126 11%
- Fuel system74 6.4%
- Steering54 4.6%
- Brakes44 3.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2016: “The car started sputtering every time I had to put gas in it then it wouldn't crank at all and we have been able to detremine that this fuel system issue has created an inability to keep the car running and every time we get it running it repeatedly cuts off till we rev it up multiple times and then it tries to cut off every time we stop at a light.”
NHTSA complaint #11365051, filed 2020-10, 85,000 miles2012: “Takata recall - the gasket or o ring on the oil filter housing keep leaking. I done replaced everything from oil filter to the housing. I have only own the car for 7 months and I have only out 5000 miles on the car. Now the smell of the oil is hitting the exhaust and smoking. I didn't know anything was leaking until I smelled the oil hitting the exhaust.”
NHTSA complaint #11216973, filed 2019-05, 111,567 miles2015: “Vehicle felt like it was vibrating while in idle and when pressing down on the brakes. There was very low acceleration and it felt like my car was in neutral. I was driving on a city street going about 20-25 MPH. The check engine light turned on. I took my car in and had to have the ignition coil and ignition boot replaced at 30,345 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11256299, filed 2019-09, 30,345 milesOther Chevrolet models
19,366 complaintsChevrolet Silverado 1500
18,111 complaintsChevrolet Impala
10,408 complaintsChevrolet Tahoe
10,060 complaintsChevrolet Equinox
9,208 complaintsChevrolet Silverado
8,790 complaintsChevrolet Blazer
8,199 complaintsChevrolet Suburban
8,170 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology