AI DamageChevrolet Sonic: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Chevrolet Sonic across 5 model years: 118 owner complaints and 885 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 34% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 14% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 7 Electronic stability control 5% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 40 complaints (34% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 286.
- Electrical system: 29 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 538.
- Air bags: 16 complaints (14% of all), 11 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 13 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Steering: 8 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 61.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2012–2020
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2012–2018named in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed 2012–2020
- manual, 5-speed 2012–2018
- manual, 6-speed 2012–2019
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 118 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 40 | 1 | 286 |
| Electrical system | 29 | 1 | 538 |
| Air bags | 16 | 11 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 1 | 20 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 61 |
| Powertrain | 7 | 0 | 246 |
| Electronic stability control | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 426 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 | 73 |
| Seats | 5 | 0 | 11 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Suspension | 4 | 1 | 70 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 2 | 69 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 185 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported.
During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a head laceration and right and left knee injuries which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined.
My vehicle malfunctioned Driving on my way to work entering a large parking area connected stores. I saw a available parking spot in between 2 cars I drove in the spot lined up car and put my car in park completely stopped.I looked to my right then to my left to be sure I wasn't to close to the other two vehicles then…
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
The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The hood and front driver's side of the vehicle were damaged. The vehicle was towed to a collision shop by the contact's insurance company. The other driver sustained small cuts that did not require medical attention.
Was driving about 30 mph , air conditioning was on recirculate I blacked out and totaled the car . Hospital ran a carbon monoxide test and it was high ,was the cause of blackout. Now have memory problems and severe back pain
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered…
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- 2016 Chevrolet Sonic Axle Shaft Repair
- 2016 chevy sonic oil resetting procedure 🛢️👌 #automobile #automotivetips
- 2016 Chevy Sonic Bumper repair
- 2012-2020 Chevrolet Sonic CHANGE FUSE BOX Tutorial Step By Step Chevy Sonic/Cruze
- 2012-2020 Chevy Sonic, Chevy Cruise Valve Cover And Gasket Replacement (How To) DIY
- How to Replace Rear Brakes 2012-2020 Chevrolet Sonic
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.