IllustrationI WAS DRIVING A 2015 SONIC DEALERSHIP CAR BECAUSE MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THE WEEKEND, A CAR WAS ABOUT TO HIT ME AND ALL DID WAS I STEPPED ON BRAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND RAN ME INTO A POLE. I HAD JUST TURNED THE CORNER, THE WEATHER WAS GREAT, I WAS ONLY GOING 15 MILES.
2015 Chevrolet Sonic
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sonic years
Owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.
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
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, WHEN SHE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER BUMPED HER HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION LOT. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, WHEN SHE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER BUMPED HER HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 07/27/16*LJ
ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 07 2016 MY SON WAS DRIVING MY WIFE TO WORK ON HIGHWAY WHEN THEY HEARD A LOUD POP, MADE HIS WAY THROUGH TRAFFIC TO SIDE OF ROAD. HIS 2015 CHEVY SONIC WHICH WE BOUGHT FOR HIM LAST AUGUST 2015 WITH ABOUT 12,000 MILES ON IT HAD A BLOWN REAR PASSENGER HANOOK TIRE. HE CONTACT OUR LOCAL DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE. A…
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ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 07 2016 MY SON WAS DRIVING MY WIFE TO WORK ON HIGHWAY WHEN THEY HEARD A LOUD POP, MADE HIS WAY THROUGH TRAFFIC TO SIDE OF ROAD. HIS 2015 CHEVY SONIC WHICH WE BOUGHT FOR HIM LAST AUGUST 2015 WITH ABOUT 12,000 MILES ON IT HAD A BLOWN REAR PASSENGER HANOOK TIRE. HE CONTACT OUR LOCAL DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE. AND WAS TOLD "YOU HAVE NO WARRANTY COVERAGE IN OUR SYSTEM", HE TRIED TO TELL THEM, BUT WAS RUDELY TOLD "WELL IF YOUR PARENTS HAD PURCHASED OR HAS A TIRE WARRANTY WE COULD HELP YOU". WELL THAT'S A LIE GM COVER TIRES UNDER THEIR 3YR/30,000 MILE WARRANTY PROGRAM I HAVE SUBMITTED PICTURES OF THE TIRES, WHICH I TOOK EARLIER THIS MORNING WHEN I GOT HOME. I WANT THE TIRE REPLACED THE DEALER IS NOT STANDING BY THEIR OWN WARRANTY PROGRAM AND PER MY SON WAS NOT TO CONCERNED WHEN HE TOLD THEM THE ISSUE NOR OFFERED PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
TAKATA RECALL. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY,NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD AND THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP BECAUSE IT KEEPS DYING. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ABOUT 8 TIMES NOW AND HAD TO GET TOWED TO THE CHEVY GARAGE.NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN PLUGED IN TO THE CAR. IT IS BRAND NEW. I DONT FEEL SAFE IN IT I DONT TRUST IT I CANT RELY ON IT. I AM NOT H…
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TAKATA RECALL. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY,NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD AND THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP BECAUSE IT KEEPS DYING. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ABOUT 8 TIMES NOW AND HAD TO GET TOWED TO THE CHEVY GARAGE.NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN PLUGED IN TO THE CAR. IT IS BRAND NEW. I DONT FEEL SAFE IN IT I DONT TRUST IT I CANT RELY ON IT. I AM NOT HAPPY AND WANT THIS CAR BOUGHT BACK.
THIS SONIC SUN VISORS WILL NOT PULL OUT TO EXTEND AND ALSO HAVE NO PULL-OUT EXTENSIONS. PEOPLE DRIVING NORTH IN THE IN THE P.M. OR SOUTH IN THE A.M. HAVE TO DRIVE WITH ONE HAND ONLY IN ORDER TO BLOCK THE SUN WITH THEIR LEFT HAND. THERE IS PROBABLY A HIGHER INCIDENT OF ACCIDENTS AT THESE TIMES OF DAY INVOLVING SONICS. I NEVER…
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THIS SONIC SUN VISORS WILL NOT PULL OUT TO EXTEND AND ALSO HAVE NO PULL-OUT EXTENSIONS. PEOPLE DRIVING NORTH IN THE IN THE P.M. OR SOUTH IN THE A.M. HAVE TO DRIVE WITH ONE HAND ONLY IN ORDER TO BLOCK THE SUN WITH THEIR LEFT HAND. THERE IS PROBABLY A HIGHER INCIDENT OF ACCIDENTS AT THESE TIMES OF DAY INVOLVING SONICS. I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR IF I REALIZED THAT THE VISORS DID NOT PULL OUT.
THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. THE ABS BRAKES DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY AND THE BRAKE PEDDLE ALSO HAS ISSUES. THE BRAKES HAS CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS THUS FAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION SEVERAL TIMES WITH REPAIRS AT NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK AND CAUSED TWO REAR END ACCIDENTS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES AND DIED ON THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES AND DIED ON THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HIT A DEER GOING ABOUT 60 MPH. THE DEER HIT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FROM THE GRILL TO THE CORNER. AFTER THE IMPACT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DAMAGE COULD BE A TOTAL LOSS JUST WAITING ON THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE PRODUCED AN ABNORMAL MOLD ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FILTER NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Official recalls
316V422000 · Electrical System:software; Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
Jun 10, 2016
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.
16V257000 · Electrical System:software; Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
Apr 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.
15V416000 · Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
Jun 30, 2015
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.