AI Damage2018 Chevrolet Sonic: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 537 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 15
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 537
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 40% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 27% of all complaints
- 3 Wheels 13% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 13% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (40% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 86.
- Engine: 4 complaints (27% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 51.
- Wheels: 2 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 36.
- Seats: 2 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
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 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 5-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 15 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 86 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 51 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 36 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 200 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 82 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The factory infotainment system does not consistently shut down after the ignition is turned off. I must follow a specific shutdown procedure or occasionally remove the infotainment fuse to prevent battery drain. On October 10, 2026, after a three-day trip, the vehicle was completely dead.
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally request a resolution regarding a recurring and unresolved issue with my son’s 2018 Chevrolet Sonic Premier (Turbocharged engine), VIN: [XXX] This past January we brought the vehicle to [dealer] an authorized due to overheating and a warning light.
The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. The contact stated that the canister purge valve had previously been replaced, but the failure persisted.
The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine a failure and indicated no failure was found. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 15,000.
In addition, while driving at various speeds the vehicle had suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the electronic control unit hardware was faulty. Also, the emergency brake cable was hanging low to the ground under the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired.
My radio turns off and on, on its own. Also when I have my bluetooth turned on for my phone, it gets stuck after I hang up the phone after a call. I was driving home from work on a state road. My right wheel bearing went out and I had to replace it last year.
The passenger seat belt does not clip or will come undone at any given time. I made the dealership aware of the concern when the vehicle had approximately 39,000 miles. They stated that since it was out of warranty it did not qualify for production defect.
Thank you,the items submitted are receipts of payments also, the day of 1/20/20 I drove to fort lauderdale on the accept ion of getting the ac repaired and the windshield.
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 1,349 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 36% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Sonic has 24 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 15, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
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 537 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 2018 Chevrolet Sonic?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, wheels. Total complaints: 15. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (33%), warning lights, check engine (13%), battery drain (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic?
NHTSA lists 537 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 2018 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 2018 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.