The Lemon IndexChevrolet Sonic recalls.
Every NHTSA recall campaign for the 2012–2018 Chevrolet Sonic, newest first. Each one is listed once, with the model years it covers.
Check a VIN to see that car's model-year report and recalls.
Illustrations (AI-generated) of the cars shown, not photos of specific cars. Free to use under CC BY 4.0: credit The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Download and credit text
Every recall 16
- Airbags · recall issued Jul 2023 · model year 2013
The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
767 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 23V516000
- Seats · recall issued May 2018 · model year 2018
A joint in the driver's seat-back frame may not be properly welded, reducing the strength of the seat-back frame.
71 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V342000
- Electrical · recall issued Jun 2016 · model years 2015–2016
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.
18,780 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 16V422000
- Equipment · recall issued Apr 2016 · model years 2013–2016
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.
317,572 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 16V257000
- Equipment · recall issued Jun 2015 · model year 2015
In the affected vehicles, equipped with the base radio and OnStar, the radio may lock up due to a software issue, causing the display to go blank and all audio functions to cease.
45,785 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 15V416000
- Airbags · recall issued Sep 2014 · model year 2014
Due to a loss of electrical connection in the steering column, in the event of a severe crash, the driver's frontal air bag deployment may be limited to the first-stage deployment only instead of the intended first-stage…
304 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14V543000
- Equipment · recall issued Jul 2014 · model years 2012–2014
In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
2,990 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14V417000
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued Jun 2014 · model year 2012
In the affected vehicles, the transmission turbine shaft may fracture.
21,567 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14V315000
Show all 16 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued Jun 2014 · model year 2012
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
31,520 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14V300000
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued Sep 2013 · model years 2013–2014
Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle.
1,558 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 13V464000
- Electrical · recall issued May 2013 · model year 2013
Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles.
10,210 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 13V220000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2013 · model year 2012
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
4,167 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 13V023000
- Airbags · recall issued Oct 2012 · model year 2012
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
2,949 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 12V522000
- Electrical · recall issued Sep 2012 · model year 2013
When a turn signal lamp fails to operate, the Body Control Module (BCM) in these vehicles does not detect this condition and will not indicate the condition to the driver.
4,716 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 12V454000
- Visibility · recall issued Aug 2012 · model year 2012
These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems." The windshield wiper washer hose on these vehicles may separate from the washer fluid reservoir.
44,668 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 12V408000
- Brakes · recall issued Dec 2011 · model year 2012
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011.
4,296 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 11V599000
Recalls by model year. Campaigns that cover each year.
Tap a year for its problems, complaints and Lemon Index.
What they fix. Campaigns by system.
Is one open on your Sonic?
A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car. NHTSA's public recall data works by make, model and year, so these lists cover every car of that model year, not one VIN. Whether a recall was already fixed on a particular car is in the automaker's records: type the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any dealer of that brand. The repair is free.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Questions
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Sonic have?
16 recall campaigns across model years 2012–2018, from NHTSA. Many campaigns cover several model years; counted once for every model year they cover (the way each year's page counts them), that's 23.
Which Chevrolet Sonic year has the most recalls?
The 2012, with 7 campaigns. 2013: 6, 2014: 4, 2015: 3.
What are most Chevrolet Sonic recalls about?
Airbags: 5 of the 16 campaigns. Then electrical (3) and equipment (3).
What is the newest Chevrolet Sonic recall?
Airbags, filed Jul 2023 (NHTSA 23V516000): The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
What is the biggest Chevrolet Sonic recall?
NHTSA 16V257000 (equipment, Apr 2016) covers 317,572 vehicles in all, every model in that campaign. 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.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Sonic has an open recall?
Use its VIN: type it at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any Chevrolet dealer. Our VIN check decodes it and lists every recall for that model year. Recall repairs are free.
Chevrolet Sonic: problems and best years · All Chevrolet recalls · Recall check
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns (api.nhtsa.gov), matched to the model names owners use in NHTSA complaints. Vehicle counts and the "park it" warnings come from NHTSA's recall file, which starts in 2010, so older recalls have no count. A campaign's count covers every make and model in it.
Know someone with a Sonic?