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Chevrolet SonicModel year report

2016 Chevrolet Sonic Problems

Compared with other Chevrolet Sonic years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

6/100 0.4× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
48filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
47,500miles, 30 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
29 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The part named most often is engine, with 13 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system (11) and air bags (8). 30 of the complaints include a mileage, and 53% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 47,500 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1,083 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 113 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns and 215 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 5 Chevrolet Sonic model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 6 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seats (2), Steering (2), Body and structure (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “Purchased my car in october of 2018. In july of 2019, my check engine light came on, followed shortly afterward by the temperature overheat gauge. Took my car in and was told that my thermostat needed replaced and that this is common with my make/model. Replaced the thermostat. In january 2020, check engine light came on again, with a po599 code. Took it to local auto shop to have it diagnosed; they said that the check engine light came on when starting the car, so likely wasn't an overheating issue. They thought it was the sensors/circuits. …”

NHTSA complaint #11300805, filed 2020-01, 65,000 miles

Electrical system: “I bought a 2016 chevy Sonic lt in january of 2020. It has only has 30,000 miles on it and has been well maintained. Initially, I believed that the computer was just slow. In march, 2020 I noticed that when I would turn the car on the radio/computer would sometimes take several minutes to boot up. Then once booted, the back-up camera lines would not show up. Only occasionally would the guiding lines appear on the screen. …”

NHTSA complaint #11343257, filed 2020-08, 30,008 miles

Air bags: “As I was driving on a street, possibly two minutes after departing my home, is when I'd realized the air bag indicator light was illuminated. Everytime for the next three days, the warning light would illuminate as soon as the car turned on. It finally shut off after I went out to shop. It was illuminated on my way to the shops. I turned the car off, shopped and when I turned it back on, the light did not illuminate and has not since then. Now, it has been around two weeks since it turned off.”

NHTSA complaint #11163479, filed 2018-12, 56,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Car shuts off and check engine light comes on, when it is being driven. Always when we have had rain. We have taken car to dealer and they cannot find the problem. Once we put heat in the gas tank it starts to drive until another rain hits.”

NHTSA complaint #11270010, filed 2019-10, 35,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

53% of the 30 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,008 and 72,000 miles.

10%0–1013%10–2530%25–5023%50–7517%75–1007%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (30 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 47,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20162018202012202220242026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Sonic · hatchback FWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 12.6% risk
Sonic · sedan FWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 12.6% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 Chevrolet Sonic version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sonic FWD1.4L 4-cyl6-speed manual283832$2,100
Sonic FWD1.4L 4-cyl6-speed automatic273630$2,250
Sonic FWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual263429$2,300
Sonic FWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed automatic243428$2,400
Sonic 5 FWD1.4L 4-cyl6-speed manual283832$2,100
Sonic 5 FWD1.4L 4-cyl6-speed automatic273630$2,250
Sonic 5 FWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual263429$2,300
Sonic 5 FWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed automatic243428$2,400
Sonic 5 RS FWD1.4L 4-cyl6-speed manual263329$2,300
Sonic 5 RS FWD1.4L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,400
Sonic RS FWD1.4L 4-cyl6-speed manual263329$2,300
Sonic RS FWD1.4L 4-cyl6-speed automatic253328$2,400

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,083 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,083 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Sonic

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2020103,4000529—Not enough data
2019847,6000529—Not enough data
20181527,4751530—Falling
20173742,80005300 · FewerStable
20164847,50025296 · FewerFalling
201511435,000352949 · TypicalFalling
201415050,664452951 · TypicalFalling
201321750,000652981 · MoreFalling
201235445,0007530100 · MoreFalling

All Chevrolet Sonic model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic have?

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 13 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system with 11.

Has the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic (Sonic, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic reported?

Among the 30 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 47,500 miles and the middle half falls between 30,008 and 72,000 miles; 53% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.