2017 Chevrolet Sonic Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 51%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,136miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the engine of the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic, 51% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,136 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“My engine light is on , so I had it ran for a test which p2076 has came up as 1 of the codes. Prior to finding this out my car has cut off on me 3 times just being stropped at a red light. Last time was on thanksgiving 2020, I was sitting at a red light when my car suddenly turned off. I had to put it back in park and shut it off, but it did cut back on. The other 2 times that my car suddenly cut off on me, the engine light was not visible at the time which is very scary if a car is cutting off”
NHTSA complaint #11383134, filed 2020-12, 45,000 miles“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 miles“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 miles“Vehicle has 53k miles. I have had the error code p0011 (camshaft, vvt bank 1 too advanced) for most of the time I've had this car. Spend thousands at a certified dealership to get this issue fixed, only for it to pop up again. I was told the solution for this code is a new engine. This was after I spend thousands and my power train warranty expired. Oil changes and Routine maintenance were all done in timely manner. This engine was built to fail.”
NHTSA complaint #11532519, filed 2023-07Related service bulletins
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11020254May 7, 2025This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in…
- 11019503Apr 18, 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California…
- 11017263Mar 25, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11016942Mar 4, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 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.
- 11014233Jan 30, 2025This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011900Nov 22, 2024This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 20% |
| 2019 | 2 | 25% |
| 2018 | 4 | 27% |
| 2017 | 19 | 51% |
| 2016 | 13 | 27% |
| 2015 | 23 | 20% |
| 2014 | 38 | 25% |
| 2013 | 55 | 25% |
| 2012 | 83 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology