IllustrationMY 2018 CHEVROLET SONIC RADIO SCREEN WENT BLACK WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I LOST ALL FUNCTIONS THROUGH THE RADIO SCREEN. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME IN ROUTE TO WORK WITHIN A FEW DAYS. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE RADIO MAY GO BLACK DURING AN EMERGENCY WHEN I NEED TO USE ON STAR.
2018 Chevrolet Sonic
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
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
Limited mileage data: 8 of 14 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
14 reportsTHE 2018 SONIC IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW. IT HAS NO TRACTION TO START FROM A STOPPED POSITION, NO TRACTION TO STOP AND NO ABILITY TO CONTROL STEERING OR TURNING.
DURING NIGHT OPERATION, THE BACKLIGHT OF THE CENTER SCREEN IS SO BRIGHT IT CAUSES DIFFICULTY SEEING THE ROAD. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS AT AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL (AS ADJUSTED BY THE SWITCH TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL), BUT THE CENTER SCREEN IS STILL TOO BRIGHT. A SIMPLE FLOATING SOFTWARE BUTTON ALLOWING A DISPLAY OFF FUNCTI…
Read full complaint
DURING NIGHT OPERATION, THE BACKLIGHT OF THE CENTER SCREEN IS SO BRIGHT IT CAUSES DIFFICULTY SEEING THE ROAD. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS AT AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL (AS ADJUSTED BY THE SWITCH TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL), BUT THE CENTER SCREEN IS STILL TOO BRIGHT. A SIMPLE FLOATING SOFTWARE BUTTON ALLOWING A DISPLAY OFF FUNCTION WOULD ADDRESS ISSUE. AS IT IS, THE DISPLAY OFF FUNCTION IS HIDDEN IN A SUBMENU REQUIRING INATTENTION TO THE ROAD TO ACTIVATE. *TR
MY DRIVER SEAT DROPS A LEVEL WHILE I DRIVE . VERY DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS.
Official recalls
118V342000 · Seats
May 27, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. A joint in the driver's seat-back frame may not be properly welded, reducing the strength of the seat-back frame.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a rear-impact crash, the seat-back may fail, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat-back, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18178.
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.