2020 Chevrolet Sonic Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 60%of 10 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,800miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic, 60% of the 10 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,800 miles.
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.
“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 miles“There was an instance a couple months ago where I was driving and my ignition stopped. To my luck, I was in a safe area to stop but it is dangerous for this to be happening with my car while I am driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11513468, filed 2023-03“Purchased from Carvana. Nine days after purchase came out to a dead battery took it to the authorized dealer and they said the battery was a bad cell battery. Replace the battery. Six days after they replaced the battery it was dead again. This time they had it in the shop for two weeks before they found the issue. It had been aftermarket wired with a GPS tracking system that was draining the battery. They said if I have any further issues with it, I need to take it to a dealer. They gave me a bag full of multiple components that had been added to the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11696953, filed 2025-11“UNKNOWN -- During driving the vehicle the radio and power steering will stop working, locks and key for occasionally have issues, and the car shuts down and has to be re-started. Sometimes will take a minute or two to be able to be re-started. If car stalls at high speeds could cause a catastrophic accident, injuring possibly killing driver or other drivers due to not being able to control the car. Car has recently been serviced replacing the radiator, coolant tank, and purge valve (this was throwing the check engine light). No codes can be found and the problem cannot be duplicated. …”
NHTSA complaint #11510643, filed 2023-03Related service bulletins
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 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.
- 11014239Jan 29, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the Transport Mode Feature, also known as Logistics mode, which is used to increase the 12V Battery stand time of the vehicle during…
- 11014222Jan 28, 2025This service bulletin provides information to inform dealership personnel about Law Enforcement and Government vehicles that request to disable or enable content.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012929Jan 7, 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11012189Dec 6, 2024This service bulletin provides information on the Transport Mode Feature, also known as Logistics mode, which is used to increase the 12V Battery stand time of the vehicle during…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | 60% |
| 2019 | 1 | 13% |
| 2018 | 6 | 40% |
| 2017 | 5 | 14% |
| 2016 | 11 | 23% |
| 2015 | 34 | 30% |
| 2014 | 49 | 33% |
| 2013 | 56 | 26% |
| 2012 | 59 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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