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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

Other model years Selected year
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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.

8 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

3 reports
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36,299 miles · Jun 20, 2024
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The ESC and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the Intake Plenum Gaske…

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The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The ESC and oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the Intake Plenum Gasket and other unknown parts needed to be sealed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,299.

NHTSA ODI #11595505

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I PURCHASED MY CAR ON MARCH 9,2019. IN MAY I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP [XXX] IN MOULTRIE, GEORGIA WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND NO ONE LOOKED AT IT, IT JUST SAT OUT THERE. WHEN I'M AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT TOO LONG MY CAR WILL CUT OFF OCCASIONALLY AND ALWAYS HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING EVEN SOMETIMES WHEN I?M IN REVERSE. I GOT MY …

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I PURCHASED MY CAR ON MARCH 9,2019. IN MAY I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP [XXX] IN MOULTRIE, GEORGIA WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND NO ONE LOOKED AT IT, IT JUST SAT OUT THERE. WHEN I'M AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT TOO LONG MY CAR WILL CUT OFF OCCASIONALLY AND ALWAYS HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING EVEN SOMETIMES WHEN I?M IN REVERSE. I GOT MY TRANSMISSION LOOKED AT AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. ONE DAY AFTER I STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND ACCELERATED MY CAR CUT OFF WHILE I WAS ALREADY IN DRIVE AND I ALMOST GOT HIT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT IT FROM AND TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS CUTTING WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND HE SAID ALL HE COULD TELL ME WAS TO KEEP DRIVING IT AND HE DON'T REMEMBER SELLING ME NO CAR, WHEN I TOLD HIM HE DID AND HIS NAME IS EVEN ON MY PAPERWORK LISTED [XXX]. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY MECHANIC SHOP AND NEITHER SHOPS COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. IN SEPTEMBER I CALLED THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURING OFFICE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST CHEVROLET PLACE. THEY LOOKED AT AND COULDN?T FIND ANYTHING AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T COMING ON BUT THEY TEST DROVE IT AND SEEN EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. THEY TRIED DOING AN INDUSTRIAL FLUSH AND IT DIDN'T WORK. THEY SUGGESTED MY ALTERNATOR BE REPLACED CAUSE IT WAS READING A 15, SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER BE REPLACED, I DID THAT AND TOOK IT TO AN AUTO MECHANIC SHOP SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE A WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM ISN'T FIXED AND IT STILL JERKS AND CUTS OFF TO THIS DAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11270721

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

THESE ISSUES HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BOTH IN MOTION AND STILL.THE RIGHT INDICATOR LIGHT MALFUNCTIONS QUITE EXCESSIVELY. THE MALFUNCTION CAUSES THE REAR INDICATOR TO TURN OFF AND THE PEOPLE DRIVING BEHIND YOU CANNOT SEE YOU USING A TURN SIGNAL. ALSO THE SUSPENSION DOES NOT BRACE IMPACT OR ADJUST TO DIFFERENT TERRAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11045076

Official recalls

2

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.

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.