Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
290–25K
2325–50K
1350–75K
875–100K
4100–150K
2150K+
79 reports with mileage · 35 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.
Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
114 reports
9,000 miles · Aug 8, 2016
Air BagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE MERGING INTO THE LEFT LANE, AN ONCOMING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE MERGING INTO THE LEFT LANE, AN ONCOMING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. ..UPDATED 12/28/16 *BF *TR
NHTSA ODI #10894206
12,000 miles · Aug 6, 2016
Electrical System
KEY GETS WARM ON SHORT DRIVE AND HOT ON DRIVES OVER 90 MINUTES COMBINED CITY AND HIGHWAY. WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND TAKE THE KEY OUT, THE METAL SHAFT THAT GOES INTO THE IGNITION IS HOT
NHTSA ODI #10893749
1,000 miles · Aug 5, 2016
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE TPMS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TPMS RECEIVER AND SENSOR WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE TPMS RECEIVER WAS REPLACED AGAIN, B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE TPMS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TPMS RECEIVER AND SENSOR WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE TPMS RECEIVER WAS REPLACED AGAIN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA ODI #10893404
2 miles · Jun 29, 2016
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, A LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, A LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2.
NHTSA ODI #10881525
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2016
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. *SMD
NHTSA ODI #10875112
370 miles · Jun 14, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
THE SHIFTING GEAR GETS STUCK, AND IT CANNOT BE MOVED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. TO MOVE THE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND HAVE TO USE A LOT OF STRENGTH TO MAKE THE GEAR CHANGE. BUT SOMETIMES IT GETS SO STUCK I HAVE TO WAIT TO MAKE THE CHANGE. WHEN THE CAR IS TURN OFF I HAVE TO WAIT 2-3 MINUTES TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS HAPPENS ON AND OFF F…
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THE SHIFTING GEAR GETS STUCK, AND IT CANNOT BE MOVED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. TO MOVE THE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND HAVE TO USE A LOT OF STRENGTH TO MAKE THE GEAR CHANGE. BUT SOMETIMES IT GETS SO STUCK I HAVE TO WAIT TO MAKE THE CHANGE. WHEN THE CAR IS TURN OFF I HAVE TO WAIT 2-3 MINUTES TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS HAPPENS ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED, IT DOES NOT MATTER WHERE.
NHTSA ODI #10874137
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2016
Air BagsInjury
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. NO COLLISION ONCE SO EVER, POLICE AND I AGREED THERE WAS NO PHYSICALLY INDICATION ON WHY THEY WENT OFF. AS WELL AS THE GM INSPECTOR COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING EITHER. STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM GM.
NHTSA ODI #10873765
34,622 miles · Jun 9, 2016
Electrical System
CAR WAS RUNNING WHILE LISTENING TO RADIO. ONCE IT WAS CUT OFF, I COULD NOT LOCK THE CAR OR CUT IT ON AGAIN. IT COMPLETELY DIED.
NHTSA ODI #10873451
28,700 miles · Jun 8, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND LOWER BACK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND LOWER BACK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,700.
NHTSA ODI #10873197
19,890 miles · Jun 1, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
2015 CHEVROLET SONIC HATCHBACK LTZ- FUEL FILLER TUBE LEAKING AT TANK CONNECTION, CAUSING GAS TO SPILL OUT ON GROUND. COULD BE A POTENTIAL A FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZZARD. DISCOVERED WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED. RAN AN ODBII CODE CHECK INDICATING A P0442 ERROR "EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK-SMALL". OBSERVED GAS FLOWING TO THE GROUND AS…
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2015 CHEVROLET SONIC HATCHBACK LTZ- FUEL FILLER TUBE LEAKING AT TANK CONNECTION, CAUSING GAS TO SPILL OUT ON GROUND. COULD BE A POTENTIAL A FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZZARD. DISCOVERED WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED. RAN AN ODBII CODE CHECK INDICATING A P0442 ERROR "EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK-SMALL". OBSERVED GAS FLOWING TO THE GROUND AS THE CAR WAS BEING FILLED WITH GAS. HAD THE CAR LESS THAN 1-WEEK AFTER PURCHASING "USED" WITH 19K MILES.
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
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."
Consequence: 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.
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
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."
Consequence: 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.
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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 20, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured June 18, 2014, to June 10, 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. Because of this, there may be no warning chimes such as the reminder to buckle the seat belt and the key being left in ignition when the driver goes to exit the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208 "Occupant Crash Protection", and 114 "Theft Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft. If a driver or front passenger does not buckle their seat belt, there would be no chime to remind them to fasten their seat belts. If a driver or passenger does not buckle their seat belt there is an increased risk that they will be injured in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15504.
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.
2015 Chevrolet Sonic Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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