NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
12 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 26, 2024
Power Train
Code U0101 is set. Unable to communicate with TCM. Troubleshooted and found TCM is bad. Removed necessary components for tcm replacement. Removed the tcm/valve body assembly and replaced. Replaced necessary gaskets and reinstalled necessary components. Set transmission fluid level to specifications per procedure. Dealer advised…
Read full complaint
Code U0101 is set. Unable to communicate with TCM. Troubleshooted and found TCM is bad. Removed necessary components for tcm replacement. Removed the tcm/valve body assembly and replaced. Replaced necessary gaskets and reinstalled necessary components. Set transmission fluid level to specifications per procedure. Dealer advised they stock 3 TCM at all times due to many failures and demands of TCM.
NHTSA ODI #11616544
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2023
Power Train
We have a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic Lt that we bought from car country in Aurora Indiana the transmission has gone the dealer told that the had been serviced but it never was so now we can't drive the car and its just sitting in the our driveway we reported it to car country about the transmission and they totally ignored us about it…
Read full complaint
We have a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic Lt that we bought from car country in Aurora Indiana the transmission has gone the dealer told that the had been serviced but it never was so now we can't drive the car and its just sitting in the our driveway we reported it to car country about the transmission and they totally ignored us about it and refusing to help
NHTSA ODI #11525910
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2022
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
The manual transmission's clutch master cylinder failed on two occasions. It snapped into two pieces. On the first occasion, on March 24, 2022 I stepped on the clutch pedal, and it remained on the floor. The car was essentially inoperable. I was able to coast to a stop by the curb, but the car had to be towed. The part w…
Read full complaint
The manual transmission's clutch master cylinder failed on two occasions. It snapped into two pieces. On the first occasion, on March 24, 2022 I stepped on the clutch pedal, and it remained on the floor. The car was essentially inoperable. I was able to coast to a stop by the curb, but the car had to be towed. The part was repaired at a Chevrolet dealer with GM parts and returned to me on March 31, 2022. On June 9, 2022, the part failed again, in the identical manner. The part snapped into two pieces. The Chevrolet dealer is, over my objection, replacing the part. I have objected to the replacement of the part, because I am concerned that it is defective and certain to fail once again in the same way as it did on the two other occasions. I was fortunate on both occassions to be on suburban streets with very light traffic. I was able to coast to a stop at curbside on both occasions. My safety and the safety of others would have been at risk if the failure had happened on a heavily trafficked high-speed superhighway, or had I been ascending a hill on a busy road. The failure of the part makes it impossible for a driver to respond to the situation, as it disables the transmission system.
NHTSA ODI #11469185
73,000 miles · Oct 7, 2019
Power Train
TRANSMISSION IS SURGING IN GEAR, IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, AT ANY SPEED. SENSATION IS STRONG ENOUGH TO NOTICE EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FEELS LIKE RESISTANCE BUILDING AND THEN RELEASING RAPIDLY. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN COLDER WEATHER. UNSURE IF CLUTCH IS SLIPPING/GRABBING. EQUATE SENSATION TO SOMEONE BUMPING THE CAR FROM THE REAR …
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION IS SURGING IN GEAR, IN MOTION AND STATIONARY, AT ANY SPEED. SENSATION IS STRONG ENOUGH TO NOTICE EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FEELS LIKE RESISTANCE BUILDING AND THEN RELEASING RAPIDLY. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN COLDER WEATHER. UNSURE IF CLUTCH IS SLIPPING/GRABBING. EQUATE SENSATION TO SOMEONE BUMPING THE CAR FROM THE REAR OR PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL BRIEFLY WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED.
NHTSA ODI #11266781
50,000 miles · Feb 28, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE SHIFT INTERLOCK BUTTON SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, OR RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL WITHOUT THE VEHICLE ROLLING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRAND PRIZE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (LOCATED…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE SHIFT INTERLOCK BUTTON SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, OR RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL WITHOUT THE VEHICLE ROLLING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRAND PRIZE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 32 NY-304, NANUET, NY 10954, (845) 623-6060) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON (PN: GM95393161) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11183092
4,000 miles · Feb 7, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
JUNE 2015 THE DEALER SWITCHED CARS WHEN WE REFUSED THE OPTIONS AT THE CLOSING OF THE DEAL TO A BASE/STANDARD CAR. A WEEK OR SO AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR A TIRE POPPED AS WE DROVE DOWN THE STREET. IT IS VERY LOUD IN THE MORNING. A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAKING SOUND. NEXT WE HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS,OIL/FLUID LEAKING FROM THE CAR. THE DRIV…
Read full complaint
JUNE 2015 THE DEALER SWITCHED CARS WHEN WE REFUSED THE OPTIONS AT THE CLOSING OF THE DEAL TO A BASE/STANDARD CAR. A WEEK OR SO AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR A TIRE POPPED AS WE DROVE DOWN THE STREET. IT IS VERY LOUD IN THE MORNING. A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAKING SOUND. NEXT WE HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS,OIL/FLUID LEAKING FROM THE CAR. THE DRIVEWAY IS STAINED FROM IT. THE THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES. IT HAS BEEN JERKING,STALKING, SPUTTERING. THE ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR HAS BOILED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. IT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS BURNING. THE AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T COOL WELL. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TORE UP IN LESS THAN A YEAR.THEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW WHY THESE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED THEY WANT TO DO MAINTENANCING TO SEE IF THAT FIXES IT. OVER $1000. WE GOT THIS COMPACT CAR TO SAVE AND SURVIVE. THIS HAS BEEN AN EXPENSIVE CHEAP CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11174939
58,125 miles · Oct 6, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other
WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS TURNED ON CALL LOSES POWER IF STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN YOU CAN PRESS THE ACCELERATOR ALL THE WAY DOWN CAR IS VERY SLOW TAKING OFF AND SOMETIME WINDOW CONTROL DON'T WORK. AIR-CONDITION BLOWS HOT AIR AT TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #11138784
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2018
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
VEHICLE DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE IN MOTION HOWEVER MOTION IS TRIGGERING THE ENGINE TO STAY ON OR AT TIMES DISAPPEAR FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. CONSTANT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING CODE IS P0011. I HAVE BEEN TO GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIPS AS THEY REFUSE ME TO GO OUTSIDE THEIR DEALERS FOR REPAIRS; RESULTS POSSIBILITY OF DENYING ME COVERAG…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE IN MOTION HOWEVER MOTION IS TRIGGERING THE ENGINE TO STAY ON OR AT TIMES DISAPPEAR FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. CONSTANT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING CODE IS P0011. I HAVE BEEN TO GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIPS AS THEY REFUSE ME TO GO OUTSIDE THEIR DEALERS FOR REPAIRS; RESULTS POSSIBILITY OF DENYING ME COVERAGE UNDER MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I HAVE PUT IN CASE AFTER CASE WITH THEIR COMPLAINTS AND ONLY RESULTS INTO SOMETHING I ALREADY DO IS 'SIMPLY' CALL DEALERSHIP. I AM DRIVING A VERY UNSAFE UNPREDICTABLE VEHICLE THAT IS NOT BEING FIXED. I HAVE BEEN TO 3 OF THEIR DEALERSHIPS TOTAL TIMES OF 8 TIMES. CURRENTLY STILL TILL THIS DAY WITH SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11129830
68,814 miles · Oct 17, 2017
Power Train
SHIFT BUTTON STICKS. CAN NOT REMOVE KEY, CAN NOT SHIFT VEHICLE INTO PARK. SHIFT BUTTON WAS REDESIGNED BY GENERAL MOTORS PART # 42423234 BUT THEY WILL NOT RECALL! THIS HAPPENS TO EVERY CHEVROLET SONIC.
NHTSA ODI #11034069
28,000 miles · Oct 10, 2017
Power Train
WE OWN A CHEVY SONIC AT ROUNG 28000 MILES THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD GET STUCK AND NOT POP OUT; ONE LEAVING THE CAR IN GEAR, TWO NOT ALLOWING YOU TO REMOVE THE KEY AFTER YOU HAVE "PARKED" AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. BECAUSE THE BUTTON DOES NOT POP OUT THE CAR STAYS IN GEAR AND THUS EVEN AFTER PARKING AND TURNING THE ENGINE …
Read full complaint
WE OWN A CHEVY SONIC AT ROUNG 28000 MILES THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD GET STUCK AND NOT POP OUT; ONE LEAVING THE CAR IN GEAR, TWO NOT ALLOWING YOU TO REMOVE THE KEY AFTER YOU HAVE "PARKED" AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. BECAUSE THE BUTTON DOES NOT POP OUT THE CAR STAYS IN GEAR AND THUS EVEN AFTER PARKING AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF THE CAR CAN SHIFT AND ROLL OUT OF GEAR. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON ALL YEAR SONICS. THE BUTTON STUCK, WHILE WE DROVE, AND PARKED. WE THEN HAD THE PARK REPLACED. THE SECOND BUTTON SNAPPED AT THE BASE TWO MONTHS LATER!!!! NOW AFRIAD TO USE THE CAR. I BELIEVE ONLY REPLACING THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT WILL MAKE THIS PROBLEM GO AWAY. THE BUTTONS JUST DONT WORK.
NHTSA ODI #11032821
Official recalls
3Jun 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.
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.
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 ↗