NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
150 reports90,000 miles · Dec 9, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
UPON ACCELERATING MY SONIC HAS LACK OF POWER AND GEARS DON'T ENGAGE OR THEY ARE DELAYED WHICH CAUSES ME TO BE VERY UNSAFE FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN MY CAR DECIDES TO ENGAGE I CAN THEN CONTINUE DRIVING. I ALSO HAVE A ISSUE WITH THE CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REFUSING TO CHIME WHEN KEYS ARE LEFT IN IGNITION AS A WARNING SOMETIMES I …
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UPON ACCELERATING MY SONIC HAS LACK OF POWER AND GEARS DON'T ENGAGE OR THEY ARE DELAYED WHICH CAUSES ME TO BE VERY UNSAFE FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN MY CAR DECIDES TO ENGAGE I CAN THEN CONTINUE DRIVING. I ALSO HAVE A ISSUE WITH THE CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REFUSING TO CHIME WHEN KEYS ARE LEFT IN IGNITION AS A WARNING SOMETIMES I PUT MY HIGH BEAMS ON AND ALL THE LOCKS LOCK AND MY CAR DOES THE REFUSAL TO ENGAGE IN GEAR THING AGAIN AND MY LIGHTS FLICKER MY WHOLE COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT DEAD AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHY I ONLY BOUGHT THE CAR 6 MONTHS AGO FOR 12,000 SO I COULD HAVE RELIABILITY AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS OR ANYTHING FOR QUITE SO TIME MY OLD CAR IS SAFER THAN THIS NEW ONE
NHTSA ODI #11287984
93,000 miles · Dec 6, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, IT TOOK THE CONTACT THREE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, IT TOOK THE CONTACT THREE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #11287570
84,000 miles · Oct 11, 2019
Engine
I'VE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE CAR. THE MAIN ONE BEING THAT MY ENGINE HAS WARPED AND THE CAR IS JUNK NOW AS I CAN'T AFFORD THE 5400 TO REPLACE IT. THE COOLANT KEPT LEAKING AND AFTER WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT REPAIRS DID NOTHING IT FINALLY BROKE DOWN. THE SHOP SAYS THE ENGINE IS SO BADLY WARPED THEY CAN'T EVEN IDENTIFY WHERE TH…
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I'VE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE CAR. THE MAIN ONE BEING THAT MY ENGINE HAS WARPED AND THE CAR IS JUNK NOW AS I CAN'T AFFORD THE 5400 TO REPLACE IT. THE COOLANT KEPT LEAKING AND AFTER WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT REPAIRS DID NOTHING IT FINALLY BROKE DOWN. THE SHOP SAYS THE ENGINE IS SO BADLY WARPED THEY CAN'T EVEN IDENTIFY WHERE THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN.
NHTSA ODI #11267878
123,718 miles · Sep 8, 2019
Power Train
SHIFTER BUTTON HAS CRACKED AND CAUSES THE BUTTON STUCK. THIS ALLOWS THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED WITHOUT PRESSING THE BUTTON AND ALSO PREVENTS THE KEY FROM BEING REMOVED. THE CAR COULD EASILY ROLL AWAY IF BUMPED DUE TO IMPROPER SHIFT LOCKING. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY IN PARK OR EVEN IN DRIVE. TONS OF COMPLAINS ONLINE T…
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SHIFTER BUTTON HAS CRACKED AND CAUSES THE BUTTON STUCK. THIS ALLOWS THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED WITHOUT PRESSING THE BUTTON AND ALSO PREVENTS THE KEY FROM BEING REMOVED. THE CAR COULD EASILY ROLL AWAY IF BUMPED DUE TO IMPROPER SHIFT LOCKING. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY IN PARK OR EVEN IN DRIVE. TONS OF COMPLAINS ONLINE THROUGH FORUMS AND VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE HOW TO REPLACE BUT COST SHOULDN'T BE UP TO OWNERS. FIX THIS CHEVY!
NHTSA ODI #11254011
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainWheels
DEALER SOLD ME CAR WITH BALD TIRES LESS THAN 2/32. DEALER SOLD CAR WITH FILTHY RUSTY AND LOOSE PARTS ON MANIFOLD. VALVES. STRUTS. AND TRANS MOUNT. SUSPENSION PIECES WERE BROKEN AND OLD. THE THERMOSTAT WAS PUT IN WRONG AND CAUSED DIVID IN MANIFOLD. BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO HAD ISSUES. ALL ISSUES WERE FROM MILE 1 TO 200 …
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DEALER SOLD ME CAR WITH BALD TIRES LESS THAN 2/32. DEALER SOLD CAR WITH FILTHY RUSTY AND LOOSE PARTS ON MANIFOLD. VALVES. STRUTS. AND TRANS MOUNT. SUSPENSION PIECES WERE BROKEN AND OLD. THE THERMOSTAT WAS PUT IN WRONG AND CAUSED DIVID IN MANIFOLD. BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO HAD ISSUES. ALL ISSUES WERE FROM MILE 1 TO 200 OF OWNING CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11235337
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other
CANNOT TAKE THE KEY OUT WHEN CAR IS IN PARK.
NHTSA ODI #11233263
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2019
Engine
I HAD A RECALL ON A COMPONENT OF MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WAS CAUSING IT TO MOVE AT A LOW EFFICIENCY. I TOOK IT IN TO MOSS BROTHERS CHEVROLET TO BE REPAIRED. IT SEEMED FINE UNTIL 1-2 DAYS LATER WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I CALLED MOSS BROTHERS TO INFORM THEM OF THIS SITUATION, HOWEVER, THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I WA…
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I HAD A RECALL ON A COMPONENT OF MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WAS CAUSING IT TO MOVE AT A LOW EFFICIENCY. I TOOK IT IN TO MOSS BROTHERS CHEVROLET TO BE REPAIRED. IT SEEMED FINE UNTIL 1-2 DAYS LATER WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I CALLED MOSS BROTHERS TO INFORM THEM OF THIS SITUATION, HOWEVER, THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I WANTED TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. HOWEVER, I DID NOT HAVE ANY OTHER ISSUES WITH MY CAR BEFORE TAKING IT TO THEM. IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTERWARDS. SO IF SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE RECALL IS WRONG, I WOULD BE WILLING TO BET THAT IT WAS DUE TO NEGLIGENCE ON THEIR PART. I TOOK IT INTO AUTOZONE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS AND IT SAID 'CATALYST SYSTEM LOW EFFICIENCY' WHATEVER THEY DID, DID NOT FIX MY CAR BUT ONLY MADE IT WORSE. I CALLED GMC TO SEE IF THERE WAS A WAY AROUND THE FEE SHOULD IT BE A DIFFERENT CAUSE(IF IT IS, I BELIEVE IT WAS CAUSED BY MOSS BROTHERS) AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL TO ME AT ALL.
NHTSA ODI #11229083
117,000 miles · Jun 27, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED BACK IN OCTOBER 2017, I'VE HAD OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, THE DEALERSHIP FIXED TWICE UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THE THIRD TIME I HAD TO FIX MYSELF (THEY SAID MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED). I NOTICED MY KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AFTER PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK, I DISCOVERED THE BUTTON ON MY GEAR SHIFT I…
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED BACK IN OCTOBER 2017, I'VE HAD OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, THE DEALERSHIP FIXED TWICE UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THE THIRD TIME I HAD TO FIX MYSELF (THEY SAID MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED). I NOTICED MY KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AFTER PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK, I DISCOVERED THE BUTTON ON MY GEAR SHIFT IS CRACKED AND I HAVE TO PULL IT ALL THE WAY PUT TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE LATEST ADVENTURE IS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE AT ABOUT 75 MPH WHEN MY CAR MADE A POP NOISE THEN SLIGHTLY JERKED THEN STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ALONG WITH THE TRACTION LIGHT, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER I PARKED AND CUT THE CAR OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START MY CAR BACK UP AND GET IT TO AN AUTO STORE TO FIND OUT WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CODES THAT CAME BACK STATED COMMUNICATION WAS LOST WITH THE TCM AND THE TCM INTERNAL TEMPERATURE WAS TOO HIGH. I WAS TOLD THE MOST LIKELY SOLUTION IS FAULTY WIRING AT THE TCM. THIS IS BECOMING A HEADACHE I'M STILL PAYING ON THIS CAR AND DOING MORE REPAIRING THAN SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
NHTSA ODI #11222996
63,000 miles · Jun 5, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2016 FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO MY KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND I HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINS THEN TRY AGAIN. NEXT TIME IT DID THAT IT TOOK 30 MINS TO REMOVE THE KEY UNTIL FINALLY THE LAST TIME IT WOULD NOT COME OUT PERIOD AND I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE A…
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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2016 FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO MY KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND I HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINS THEN TRY AGAIN. NEXT TIME IT DID THAT IT TOOK 30 MINS TO REMOVE THE KEY UNTIL FINALLY THE LAST TIME IT WOULD NOT COME OUT PERIOD AND I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP. I HAD TO REPLACE A PART OF THE SHIFTER. THERE WAS A METAL PIECE RIGHT UNDER THE SHIFTER KNOB THAT FAILED. I HAD AUL INSURANCE VINTAGE NOW AND HAD TO PAY 500,000 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR BECAUSE HE STATED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED. PERSONALLY I DON'T BELIEVE THAT BUT I HAD NO CHOICE AND PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE SHIFTER VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIL TWICE WITH A COMPLAINT OF NOT GETTING ENOUGH POWER WHEN I EXCELERATE AND IT MOVES SLOWLY AND IS AT 10-25 MPH BEFORE IT MOVES TO THE HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55MPH. THEY AGAIN SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. AGAIN TODAY I EXPERIENCE THE SLOW EXCELERATION AGAIN, SO I AM MAKING A COMPLAINT THIS TIME. THERE IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE I 'VE HAD A COUPLE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS WELL AS A REPLACED WATER PUMP. I GOT THIS IN 2016 IT SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I AM ALWAYS STOPPED AT A LIGHT IN THE TURNING LEFT LANE GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPEN AND OTHER CARS HAVE ALMOST HIT ME SEVERAL TIMES. I WANTIT TO BE INVESTIGATED AND KNOWN BEFORE I GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND TO BE TOLD THATTHERE S NOTHING WRONG. I SEE THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIM QUITE A LOT WHILE I AM DRIVING. AND WHEN IT STALL LIKE THIS THE POWER LIGHTS GET REALLY DIM BUT YOU CAN STILL SEE YOUR MPH ETC. PLEASE HELP ME SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I DON'T WANT TO DIE IN IT.
NHTSA ODI #11218195
66,500 miles · May 6, 2019
Power Train
THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON IS STICKING, WHICH IS POSING A HAZARD. THE CAR DOES NOT COMPLETE THE SHIFT OR RELEASE THE KEY UNTIL AFTER THE BUTTON UNSTICKS. IT HAPPENED WHEN I TRIED TO PARK AND IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M SHIFTING BETWEEN REVERSE AND DRIVE. ITS NOT A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE.
NHTSA ODI #11205910
Official recalls
4Apr 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.
Sep 9, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured July 28, 2014, to August 1, 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 and second-stage deployments.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If only the first-stage of the driver's frontal air bag deploys without the additional second-stage, the driver has an increased risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will test the terminals in the IP harness clock spring coil connector and replace any loose terminals, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14537.
Jul 2, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.
Sep 26, 2013
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013. Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front fuel tank strap bracket separates, the increased load may lead to the failure of the other tank support. As a result, the fuel tank may come loose from the vehicle causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front fuel tank strap bracket, and repair it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13296.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗