2013 Chevrolet Sonic Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 5%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic, 5% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On march 12, 2014 around 8:00 p.m I had an accident with my vehicle at my home. My car is a manual transmission so when I went to turn it on, only half of my body was in the vehicle to turn it on. Before turning it on I did notice the e-brake engaged and the car was in first gear. I proceeded to turn it on knowing that I could still take it out of gear before engaging the clutch again. At the moment of ignition though, the car took off forward and took me with it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10574632, filed 2014-03, 28,700 miles“Intermittently, applying the brakes hard is unresponsive - like pressing on a board. I nearly struck 2 kids on bikes the other day. Scary. The dealer stated, technician test drove vehicle and verified customer's concern. Inspected brake system, found check valve for brake booster stuck open and brake booster vacuum pump seized. I contend that this is not a wear and tear type of issue, but rather a manufacturer's defect. In researching this matter, I found message boards and forums that describe the same issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10782520, filed 2015-10, 56,400 miles“I was driving on the highway at between 55 and 65 MPH. The side I was on had a long, steady incline upward. I had set my cruise control to about 63 MPH. As I was going uphill the cruise control was supplying fuel to get to and maintain my speed at 63 MPH. I was approaching another car in my lane and decided rather than pass, I would slow down. They were going quite a bit slower than me so came up upon them quickly. I pressed the brake to slow down but the brake was hard as a rock. It would not budge so it did not disconnect the cruise control and my car kept accelerating. …”
NHTSA complaint #10651871, filed 2014-11, 4,081 miles“My brakes tremble, when stopping.. I had them check out. 07/24.2013.... The mechanic stated: the brakes are new. It might be rotors. What is the problem? Is there a recall? If not there should be!!”
NHTSA complaint #10618821, filed 2014-08“Faulty computer/recalls I purchased the used vehicle 2 years ago and a month after the check engine light came on. I have brought this back to the dealer multiple times to fix, but it keeps happening. It is not an issue with my engine, but rather the computer. Because of the faulty computer issue, it has caused other issues in my car, including faulty reading and my inability to know if something dangerous actually was occurring in my vehicle. I am very frustrated, because this keeps happening and each year I have to deal with this issue to get my car inspected.”
NHTSA complaint #10873951, filed 2016-06Related recalls
- 13V220000May 24, 2013General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013…Covers: Chevrolet Sonic 2013, Cadillac XTS 2013, ATS 2013 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 10253061Mar 4, 2024This Preliminary information communicates that when removing the fuel line jumper hose care should be taken to be sure the line is reinstalled correctly to avoid a no/low fuel…
- 10251700Feb 19, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that had the Brake Pressure Modulator Valve now Diagnostic Trouble Code C0131 is…
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic
56 complaintsEngine
55 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsElectronic stability control
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology