2017 Chevrolet Sonic Problems
Compared with other Chevrolet Sonic years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
0/100 0.2× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.2× that of a typical Chevrolet Sonic year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 13 of its 37 complaints were filed by the end of 2019.
- Most reported part: Engine (19 complaints, median 54,136 mi).
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
- 37filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 42,800miles, 21 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 30 mpgcombined, 1.4L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 36 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic. The part named most often is engine, with 19 complaints (51% of the total), followed by air bags (6) and electrical system (5). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 62% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,800 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 964 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 101 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 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 0 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.
- Engine19 51%
- Air bags6 16%
- Electrical system5 14%
- Fuel system4 11%
- Other or unknown4 11%
- Steering4 11%
- Vehicle speed control3 8.1%
- Brakes2 5.4%
Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Exterior lighting (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Engine: “My coolant has continuously leaked since I got the car. It may be a hose issue, but my engine overheating- idle engine warning light continues to come on, and my coolant reservoir keeps emptying quickly. I have read many similar instances with this particular year of the chevy Sonic. My air also gets warm very often, which is linked to the coolant issue. My car is in motion when this light comes on.”
NHTSA complaint #11343977, filed 2020-08, 58,000 milesAir bags: “I was hit head on and the air bag did not deploy it could have been way worse than it was but it should have deployed and my engine is junk. Having issues with it and its less than 70000 miles”
NHTSA complaint #11320007, filed 2020-04, 65,000 milesElectrical system: “While driving to work within the city limits my daughter had an accident a few days ago involving a rear end collision with a four wheel drive pickup. She didn't notice the cars in front had stopped suddenly and hit the truck in front of her. The problem with this is that her front proximity signal didn't sound off warning she was too close and after the impact her airbags never deployed. Vehicle was traveling at leastt 35 MPH. I am very concerned for her safety with the car now and if it's repairable we will still sell as my confidence in the vehicle's safety is gone”
NHTSA complaint #11111313, filed 2018-07, 4,500 milesFuel system: “Lights come on after driving about 12 miles, the engine looses power bad , when you let up on gas foot it takes very long to get it going slow to build up power.regular roadway, no hills .lights go out when parked a while then come back on after 12 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11343185, filed 2020-08, 28,395 milesMileage when problems were reported
62% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,180 and 55,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic · hatchback FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 12.6% risk |
| Sonic · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 12.6% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2017 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating; 2018: 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 2017 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 28 | 38 | 32 | $2,100 |
| Sonic FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 27 | 36 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Sonic FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Sonic FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Sonic 5 FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 28 | 38 | 32 | $2,100 |
| Sonic 5 FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 27 | 36 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Sonic 5 FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Sonic 5 FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 25 | 33 | 28 | $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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 964 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11022084Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Sonic
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 10 | 3,400 | 0 | 5 | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 8 | 47,600 | 0 | 5 | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 15 | 27,475 | 1 | 5 | 30 | — | Falling |
| 2017 | 37 | 42,800 | 0 | 5 | 30 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2016 | 48 | 47,500 | 2 | 5 | 29 | 6 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 114 | 35,000 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 150 | 50,664 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 217 | 50,000 | 6 | 5 | 29 | 81 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 354 | 45,000 | 7 | 5 | 30 | 100 · More | Falling |
All Chevrolet Sonic model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic have?
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 19 complaints (51% of the total), followed by air bags with 6.
Has the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Sonic get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic (Sonic, 1.4L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 27 city and 36 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic reported?
Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,800 miles and the middle half falls between 9,180 and 55,000 miles; 62% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. 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.