2020 Chevrolet Sonic Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 3,400miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 1.4L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 34 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic. The part named most often is electrical system, with 6 complaints (60% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and engine (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 3,400 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 544 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 105 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 48 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Electrical system6 60%
- Engine2 20%
- Air bags1 10%
- Fuel system1 10%
- Other or unknown1 10%
- Seats1 10%
- Steering1 10%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Manufacturers owners manual instructions may lead to transmission / electrical failures which may cause an accident when traveling. The recreational towing instructions require that fuses be removed (step 5) before next steps including shifting vehicle into park and turning ignition to the on position . Those steps ( 6-9) can not be executed if step 5 is executed first. Owners who attempt to prepare the vehicle for recreational towing by using a different sequence run the risk of damaging their vehicles and/or causing severe accidents if the transmission locks up under tow (moving). …”
NHTSA complaint #11366483, filed 2020-10, 1,800 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “1st occurence at approximately 37k miles on Vehicle has issue based on climate temperature sensor triggers a computer code 84 vehicle goes into limp mode to prevent engine failure however, this happens instantly no time to react and more than one occasion creating a hazardous driving situation in heavy traffic, vehicle also overheats creating hazardous leaks of anti freeze at boiling temperatures ability to burn anyone who comes in contact. …”
NHTSA complaint #11576430, filed 2024-03Engine: “Engine Cooling System (Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet) The vehicle suffered a premature structural failure of the factory engine coolant thermostat housing. The component, which is manufactured from a fragile plastic composite, cracked completely open without warning, causing an immediate, rapid loss of engine coolant. This constitutes a severe safety hazard. A sudden, catastrophic loss of engine coolant under normal driving conditions puts the vehicle at immediate risk of severe engine overheating and sudden engine stalling or seizure while in motion. …”
NHTSA complaint #11745643, filed 2026-06Air bags: “The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving approximately 40 mph, the front driver’s and passenger’s side air bags erroneously deployed causing the driver to lose control of the steering wheel and the vehicle drove off the roadway. The vehicle was not involved in a crash before the air bags deployed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11422656, filed 2021-06, 5,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,800 and 5,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 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 2020 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2019: 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 2020 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 automatic | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Sonic 5 FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,300 |
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 2020 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. 544 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.
- 11029950Mar 2, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC'ss
- 11027697Jan 16, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC's
- 11027701Jan 14, 2026Other or unknown. This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered vehicles and advises of warranty direction.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other 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 2020 Chevrolet Sonic have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 6 complaints (60% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.
Has the 2020 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 2020 Chevrolet Sonic do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2020 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 2020 Chevrolet Sonic get?
The EPA rates the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic (Sonic, 1.4L 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 2020 Chevrolet Sonic reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 3,400 miles and the middle half falls between 1,800 and 5,000 miles; 100% 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.