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2015 Chevrolet Sonic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sonic years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

79 reports with mileage · 35 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

3 reports
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193,000 miles · Jun 3, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

IF YOU ARE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND YOU HAVE YOUR HIGH BEAMS ON THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK. THE WIPERS WILL TURN OFF, THE RPM'S RACE HIGH ACCELERATING THE CAR INTO ALMOST A SPIN IF YOU DO NOT COUNTER CORRECT THE STEERING. THE ENGINE AND RADIO SHUTS OFF AT RANDOM TIMES AS WELL. HAD A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK DONE, NOTHING WRONG WITH THE EN…

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IF YOU ARE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND YOU HAVE YOUR HIGH BEAMS ON THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK. THE WIPERS WILL TURN OFF, THE RPM'S RACE HIGH ACCELERATING THE CAR INTO ALMOST A SPIN IF YOU DO NOT COUNTER CORRECT THE STEERING. THE ENGINE AND RADIO SHUTS OFF AT RANDOM TIMES AS WELL. HAD A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK DONE, NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR. WAS TOLD IT IS A MANUFACTURER IS WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, BUT NHTSA WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE UNTIL SOMEONE GET'S KILLED, SO GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOT FIX IT, UNTIL THEY ARE IN PROBATE COURT. AS A LEO THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR, ESPECIALLY AFTER OUR GOVERNMENT JUST BAILED THEM OUT AGAIN WITH OUR TAX MONEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327079

48,000 miles · Aug 19, 2019
Air BagsExterior LightingStructureCrash

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 60 MPH WHEN SHE SAW A DEER IN THE ROAD - SHE SWERVED AND BRAKED HITTING THE DEER IN THE DRIVERS HEADLIGHT AREA ABOVE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE AND BOTH DRIVER SIDE DOORS. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE AND HOLD HER IN PLACE.

NHTSA ODI #11245012

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HELLO, THE CHEVY SONIC DASH AN INFORMATION CENTER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THERE IS NO RADIO , NO TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS , NO SEAT BELT INDICATOR AN DASH GETS REALLY DIM AT TIMES , ALL OF THESE ISSUES HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE . I TRIED CALLING MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER BUT THEY KEEP SAYING MY VIN IS NOT EFFECTED. BUT ALL THE OTHE…

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HELLO, THE CHEVY SONIC DASH AN INFORMATION CENTER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THERE IS NO RADIO , NO TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS , NO SEAT BELT INDICATOR AN DASH GETS REALLY DIM AT TIMES , ALL OF THESE ISSUES HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE . I TRIED CALLING MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER BUT THEY KEEP SAYING MY VIN IS NOT EFFECTED. BUT ALL THE OTHER MAKES OF THIS MODEL OF THAT YEAR IS HAVING THE SAME RECALL ISSUES . PLEASE HELP !!!. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AN EVER CAR RIDE IS UNPLEASANT AN WE DONT FEEL SAFE .

NHTSA ODI #11190277

Official recalls

3

16V422000 · Electrical System:software; Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

Jun 10, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.

Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.

16V257000 · Electrical System:software; Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

Apr 28, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.

15V416000 · Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

Jun 30, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease. Because of this, there may be no warning chimes such as the reminder to buckle the seat belt and the key being left in ignition when the driver goes to exit the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 "Occupant Crash Protection", and 114 "Theft Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.