My car lock and unlocks when I did not hit any buttons. The remote start does not work sometimes. The battery loses connection from time to time with a brand new battery. I own 2 of these cars and the same exact thing is happening. There needs to be a recall on this
2016 Chevrolet Sonic
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 42.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sonic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30 reports with mileage · 18 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.
- Engine. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
11 reportsMy car lock and unlocks when I did not hit any buttons. The remote start does not work sometimes. The battery loses connection from time to time with a brand new battery.
THE HEAT DOESNT WORK. KEEPS BLOWING OUT COOL AIR. THIS PAST SUMMER THE AC WOULDN'T WORK. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT THEY FIXED IT. I BELIEVE THE TWO ISSUES ARE RELATED.
TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS DO NOT MAKE SOUND WHEN ACTIVE
I BOUGHT A 2016 CHEVY SONIC LT IN JANUARY OF 2020. IT HAS ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. INITIALLY, I BELIEVED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS JUST SLOW. IN MARCH, 2020 I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD TURN THE CAR ON THE RADIO/COMPUTER WOULD SOMETIMES TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES TO BOOT UP. THEN ONCE BOOTED, THE BACK-U…
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I BOUGHT A 2016 CHEVY SONIC LT IN JANUARY OF 2020. IT HAS ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. INITIALLY, I BELIEVED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS JUST SLOW. IN MARCH, 2020 I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD TURN THE CAR ON THE RADIO/COMPUTER WOULD SOMETIMES TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES TO BOOT UP. THEN ONCE BOOTED, THE BACK-UP CAMERA LINES WOULD NOT SHOW UP. ONLY OCCASIONALLY WOULD THE GUIDING LINES APPEAR ON THE SCREEN. THEN, A PROBLEM DEVELOPED WHERE AFTER I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LOCKED THE DOORS, THE RADIO WOULD CONTINUE PLAYING UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED OR THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. THIS FIRST OCCURRED IN MAY 2020 AND WOULD OCCUR PERIODICALLY OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. IN JUNE 2020, THE RADIO WOULD RANDOMLY NOT BOOT WHEN STARTED OR BOOT EVEN MORE SLOWLY THAN USUAL. SOMETIMES I COULD DRIVE TEN OR TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE THE COMPUTER WOULD FINALLY TURN ON. OTHER TIMES THE COMPUTER WOULD NEVER TURN ON. YET AGAIN, THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO RESTART THE CAR OR DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. ON AUGUST 1, 2020, THE RADIO WILL NOT TURN ON AT ALL, EVEN AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR OR RECONNECTING THE BATTERY. NOW THAT THE RADIO IS COMPLETELY NONOPERATIONAL, OTHER SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN EFFECTED, TOO. FOR EXAMPLE, THE BLINKERS DO NOT SIGNAL PROPERLY. ALTHOUGH THEY BLINK, I DO NOT RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION THAT THEY ARE ENGAGED (NO BLINKING SOUND). THE SEAT BELT, DOOR AJAR, AND KEY IN IGNITION WARNING DO NOT SOUND ANYMORE EITHER. ADDITIONALLY, THE COLLISION NOTIFICATION AND LANE RECOGNITION NO LONGER PRODUCE AN AUDIBLE WARNING. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, THE RADIO AND ALL RELATED SOUND COMPONENTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY SOLUTION YET. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR PROBLEMS SUCH AS THESE FOR THIS VEHICLE, BUT NONE OF THEM ARE CURRENTLY OPEN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
MY CAR WAS BOUGHT IN OCT OF 2015. IT DID NOT COME WITH A REAR CAMERA BACK UP SYSTEM, HOWEVER THE CENTER DISPLAY (RADIO & CONTROLS PANEL) STARTED DISPLAYING AN ERROR MESSAGE ABOUT THIS BACK UP SYSTEM. AT THE SAME TIME THE PHONE & RADIO CONTROLS LOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO STOPPED WORKING. WHEN BLUE TOOTHING A PHONE (HAVE T…
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MY CAR WAS BOUGHT IN OCT OF 2015. IT DID NOT COME WITH A REAR CAMERA BACK UP SYSTEM, HOWEVER THE CENTER DISPLAY (RADIO & CONTROLS PANEL) STARTED DISPLAYING AN ERROR MESSAGE ABOUT THIS BACK UP SYSTEM. AT THE SAME TIME THE PHONE & RADIO CONTROLS LOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO STOPPED WORKING. WHEN BLUE TOOTHING A PHONE (HAVE TRIED WITH MORE THAN ONE TYPE) IT OFTEN DISCONNECTS & WHEN IT DOES CONNECT, IT DOESN'T FULLY CONNECT. BOTH THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROL & BLUE TOOTH PROBLEMS STARTED AT THE TIME THE REAR BACK UP ERROR BEGAN SHOWING UP. THIS ERROR HAS BEEN DISPLAYING FOR MANY MONTHS & I NO LONGER HAVE A WARRANTY THAT WOULD COVER THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THE DATE SELECTED IS AN ESTIMATION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, LOST POWER, AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARBER CHEVROLET (205-631-2669, LOCATED AT 90 BARBER BLVD, GARDENDALE, AL 35071) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, LOST POWER, AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARBER CHEVROLET (205-631-2669, LOCATED AT 90 BARBER BLVD, GARDENDALE, AL 35071) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,200.
TAKATA RECALL . ONE TIRE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE IN FEBRUARY 2019.. IT WAS DEFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE OTHER PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL, THE DRIVER SEAT WASN'T HEATING AND THE INFOTAINMENT CENTER REAR CAMERA WAS BLURRIN…
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TAKATA RECALL . ONE TIRE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE IN FEBRUARY 2019.. IT WAS DEFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE OTHER PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL, THE DRIVER SEAT WASN'T HEATING AND THE INFOTAINMENT CENTER REAR CAMERA WAS BLURRING CAUSING A UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION.. THE DASHBOARD WAS CLICKING OUT FOR A SECOND WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET.
2016 CHEVROLET SONIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD WIRING. CONSUMER BELIEVES IT CAN BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE TO RESOLVE SAFETY ISSUE AND REPAIR COST. *AS *TR
Official recalls
216V422000 · 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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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