AI Damage2017 Chevrolet Sonic: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic filed 37 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and air bags. The maker issued 677 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 37
- involving a crash
- 6
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 677
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 51% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 16% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 11% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 11% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 8 Electronic stability control 8% of all complaints
- Engine: 19 complaints (51% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 65.
- Air bags: 6 complaints (16% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 124.
- Visibility: 4 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Steering: 4 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
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
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 5-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 37 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 | 19 | 1 | 65 |
| Air bags | 6 | 6 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 1 | 124 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 17 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 14 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 15 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 88 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 48 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 26 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 10 |
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.
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
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
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine made an abnormally rough sound, the transmission failed to shift as intended, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended.
In June of 2023 I was driving my vehicle and suddenly the Traction Control, power steering and check engine light came on. I was able to get the vehicle safely home without the use of the power steering. Once I shut the vehicle off, it would not start again.
The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the entire vehicle was shaking. The contact stated that after the vehicle was left idling, the shaking and vibration diminished; however, when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle was slow to respond.
Evap purge solenoid stuck open causing car to stall out while driving down the highway- streets. If stopped at a light or had to slow down it would cause the car to stall in mid intersection and put myself and family in danger of getting into an accident.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 994 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 47% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sonic has 24 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 37, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
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 communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
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 vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The 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 customer that it is normal for the delay.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
- This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000…
This 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 other states.
NHTSA lists 677 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 37. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (27%), airbags did not deploy (11%), overheating, coolant loss (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA lists 677 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
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.