← New search

2017 Chevrolet Sonic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 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
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

21 reports with mileage · 16 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 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Roof molding is coming unglued on both sides of the vehicle, possible that it may fly off while traveling on highway or streets .My Dads Santa Cruz was recalled for what is happening to my Sonic. I noticed this after going through a car wash and the dryer made it flop around.

NHTSA ODI #11571376

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2022
Unknown Or Other

The thermostat has gone out in this vehicle 4 times in the past 14 months. Luckily for me I had the vehicle repaired at a shop that offers a warranty on the thermostat. But I still have to pay out of pocket every single time for a rental car in order for this vehicle to get repaired. I now have to put it back into the shop for t…

Read full complaint

The thermostat has gone out in this vehicle 4 times in the past 14 months. Luckily for me I had the vehicle repaired at a shop that offers a warranty on the thermostat. But I still have to pay out of pocket every single time for a rental car in order for this vehicle to get repaired. I now have to put it back into the shop for the 5th time in 14 months for the thermostat to be replaced yet again because it went out. I am not happy with this as I live in Alaska and it keeps going out in the winter months.

NHTSA ODI #11457901

12,000 miles · Aug 22, 2018
Air BagsUnknown Or OtherCrash

WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH , AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON RECIRCULATE I BLACKED OUT AND TOTALED THE CAR . HOSPITAL RAN A CARBON MONOXIDE TEST AND IT WAS HIGH ,WAS THE CAUSE OF BLACKOUT. NOW HAVE MEMORY PROBLEMS AND SEVERE BACK PAIN

NHTSA ODI #11121759

10,200 miles · Jun 22, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

WHEN STARTING OUR 2017 CHEVROLET SONIC THERE IS EXHAUST FUMES THAT ARE VERY STRONG THAT EVEN MAKE IT INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE EXHAUST WHEN IDLING WILL HAVE A LOUD RATTLE AND WILL BOTH ACCOMPANY THE EXHAUST FUMES AND AT TIMES WHEN THERE ISN'T THE STRONG EXHAUST FUMES. WE HAVE ALSO RECENTLY HAD TO START TURNING THE TRACTI…

Read full complaint

WHEN STARTING OUR 2017 CHEVROLET SONIC THERE IS EXHAUST FUMES THAT ARE VERY STRONG THAT EVEN MAKE IT INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE EXHAUST WHEN IDLING WILL HAVE A LOUD RATTLE AND WILL BOTH ACCOMPANY THE EXHAUST FUMES AND AT TIMES WHEN THERE ISN'T THE STRONG EXHAUST FUMES. WE HAVE ALSO RECENTLY HAD TO START TURNING THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND WATCHING TO MAKE SURE IT STAYS OFF BECAUSE IT WILL RANDOMLY ACTIVATE ON DRY PAVEMENT AND WE WILL HAVE TO HOLD TIGHT TO THE STEERING WHEEL OR IT WILL JERK THE VEHICLE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED CAR ACCIDENTS ON THREE SEPARATE OCCCASIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11103355

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.