The Lemon IndexAll cars · Chevrolet Sonic · 2016
2016 Chevrolet Sonic. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 4
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 28 / 38 / 32 | Regular | $1,950 |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | FWD | 27 / 36 / 30 | Regular | $2,100 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | 26 / 34 / 29 | Regular | $2,150 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | Auto (S6) | FWD | 24 / 34 / 28 | Regular | $2,200 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 26,700 and 72,800 miles. Median 47,500, from 30 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 65,000 | 38,000–78,500 | 7 |
| Electrical | 50,500 | 25,000–67,600 | 6 |
| Airbags | 53,000 | 1,500–67,800 | 6 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Airbags | 24% |
| Engine | 20% |
| Electrical | 20% |
| Suspension | 12% |
| Body structure | 8% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 2
16V422000 Jun 2016 Electrical System / Software
Defect. 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."
Risk. 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 Apr 2016 Equipment / Electrical / Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Defect. 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."
Risk. 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.
Manufacturer communications 1084
Chevy filed 1084 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- This informational bulletin provides information internal engine noise or damage after oil…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Sonic 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Sonic 5 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Optional |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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